Fátima-Antonia Delgado ’22

BOEING ENGINEER CREDITS UT TYLER, HOUSTON ENGINEERING CENTER FOR CAREER SUCCESS

INTERVIEW BY HANNAH BUCHANAN

WHILE AN INTERN at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Fatima-Antonia Delgado saw a robotic arm perform surgery. She knew at that moment she wanted to become an engineer. At The University of Texas at Tyler, she discovered both an affordable pathway to reach her dream and encouragement along the way.

The Houston native credits UT Tyler and its partnership with Houston Community College for her career success. The first-generation college student graduated from the UT Tyler Houston Engineering Center in May 2022 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. Delgado would land the opportunity of a lifetime upon graduation and now lives out her dream — working as a quality engineer at Boeing, the world’s largest aerospace/ defense company.

Shortly after starting at Boeing, Delgado was named the 2022 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics’ Aviation Diversity Scholar. The young engineer was also recently elected to the Boeing Familia San Antonio Board. She looks forward to expanding her knowledge in aviation and contributing her talents in the aerospace industry.

UT TYLER MAG: If your life were a story, what would it be titled?

FATIMA DELGADO: Aim for the Stars

UTTM: What's one thing you have learned about yourself that you didn't know 10 years ago?

FD: I have learned it is better to take a chance and fail than to not try at all. I believe my past failures shaped me to be the fearless person I am today. I learned life is not always easy but with hard work and sacrifice, I am capable of getting where I want to be. When I decided to go into STEM, many people advised me not to because I was “not going to make it.’’ I learned that no one else’s opinion has significance in my life. God can give me the strength to go through anything.

UTTM: What are your favorite memories of your experience at UT Tyler HEC ?

FD: I loved coming together with other engineering majors to study and find ways to broaden our knowledge. I cherished my time as president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. I am beyond grateful to Dr. (Andres) Garcia for ensuring that students had every resource to be successful. Professor Aws Al-Shalash was always encouraging and pushing me to new levels. Another favorite memory is when I decided to pursue a career in aerospace. I told Mr. (Mark) Stark (career success coach), and he fully believed in me and helped me to go into the field.

UTTM: What are you most grateful for?

FD: I am most grateful for God blessing me with a wonderful family and filling my life with so many amazing professors and friends from UT Tyler. I am beyond grateful for having amazing parents who made sacrifices in their lives to give me the opportunity for a better one.

UTTM: What are you currently watching or reading?

FD: I enjoy watching Madam Secretary! I love seeing Elizabeth McCord being powerful and strong.

1982

Valaria Dobson Staab (BBA Marketing) was promoted to chairman of NBC Universal Local, including NBC Owned Television Stations, NBC Sports Regional Networks and Telemundo Station Group. A broadcast veteran of over 35 years, she joined NBCUniversal in 2011.

1987

Stewart Fillmore (BBA accounting) authored the true crime story “Tenaha: Corruption and Cover-Up in Small Town Texas,’’ after retiring from a 29 -year career with the FBI. He also is a contributor to television programs and podcasts.

1989

Colleen Millslagle (BSEd reading education) has been the owner of Success Learning Center in Tyler since 2001. She works with adults and children who have dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, auditory processing issues and ADD/ADHD.

1995

Melinda Beatty (BBA management) was promoted to compliance/CRA officer for theLongview-basedTexasBankandTrust Co. Her previous positions with the bank include assistant compliance officer.

1998

Donesa Walker (MEd reading education) owner/operator of LearningRx, was recognized by Marquis Who's Who for excellence in education. Walker has served as a teacher and reading specialist for more than 20 years.

1999

Monica Aldama (MBA) is a cheerleading coach, author and TV personality best known for the online docuseries “Cheer,’’ which chronicles the struggles and dynamics of the 2019 Navarro College coed cheerleading team.

2000

Anthony Boone (BS criminal justice) was named police chief of the Longview Police Department. Boone joined LPD in 2001 and was promoted to lieutenant in 2008 and assistant chief in 2015.

2002

Nancy Arellano Rangel (BBA marketing; MS human resource development, 2013) was a Women with a Voice honoree. She is president and CEO of the Tyler Hispanic Business Alliance. Continued on p. 38