An intimidated freshman from Miami walks into a SHPE general body meeting.
No, this isn’t the beginning of a trite joke, but the prologue to Alberth Franco’s career testimony. Now a systems engineering and verification specialist at Rolls-Royce, Alberth was once a new gator, finding his way through the Marston French Fries and the Turlington Tablers.
It all started when a classmate invited him to join an organization, that 18-year-old Alberth had never heard of.
“She just tapped me on the shoulder and said, ‘Hey, are you Hispanic?’” he recalled in an interview. This casual invitation led Alberth to join the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at The University of Florida (SHPE UF), an organization he had never heard of before.
What started as a curious step quickly grew into a defining chapter of his college life. Committed to embracing the SHPE community, he took on the role of Society Coordinator for Engineers Week, which was being led by a fellow SHPE member. Routinely attending every meeting, he became known as “the freshman,” a title he wore proudly. His enthusiasm and drive solidified his place in the SHPE community.
For Alberth, what made SHPE special was beyond the academic and professional opportunities, but the fulfillment found through a community of what he describes as “like-minded individuals.” According to Alberth, the society allowed for those who had this “collective experience” of being a Hispanic engineer to come together in support of each other. Through SHPE, he discovered not only mentorship and camaraderie but also a renewed pride in his cultural identity, which he says played a key role in shaping his success both at UF and beyond.
Alberth’s extracurricular involvement does not end there. During his undergraduate years at UF, he boasted the title of Engineering Ambassador and was president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers chapter at UF during his senior year. The sense of unity these experiences provided for Franco became a cornerstone of his academic, and later professional, career.
After UF, he joined Cummins Inc., where in addition to his role as an engineer, he spent three years as a recruiter for UF. Giving back to the Gator Nation by offering career opportunities and mentorship was a role he says he cherished, especially because of the collegiate community he was able to build upon at Cummins.
For Alberth, it was “really cool to see that camaraderie that is shared through the university,” at his workplace. Because of his recruiting, he built a network of Gators at Cummins. At one point, his team brought more than 30 candidates, all from UF.
Alberth says having these alma mater connections at one’s place of work matters, especially for new hires. “Having a fellow Gator transition from school to work life helps students feel comfortable, especially when the job is far away from home in the Midwest,” he said.
In May 2022, Alberth took his talents to Rolls-Royce, where he stepped into the role of systems engineering and verification specialist after Cummins. His responsibilities include ensuring that complex jet engine systems meet rigorous standards of quality and functionality. Alberth focuses on critical areas like validating designs, conducting systems tests, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to bring cutting-edge technologies to life.
But Alberth’s role extends beyond the technical realm. True to his roots as a community builder, he has continued fostering inclusivity within the workplace. At Rolls-Royce, Alberth leads inclusion networks that bring employees together across different backgrounds and experiences. These networks allow him to organize initiatives such as language classes, mentorship programs, and allyship workshops. Alberth ensures his colleagues feel valued and included by promoting cultural awareness and providing professional support.
For Alberth, engineering is more than just a career, it’s a means of achieving a broader purpose. “What’s really cool about engineering is that you can also use it as a platform for any other vision that you have with your life,” he said. “And I’ve found that to be true.”
That vision, Alberth explained, involves not only solving technical challenges but also creating environments where others can thrive. Whether it’s mentoring an incoming engineer or ensuring that inclusion becomes the norm in the workplace, he has left a lasting impact wherever he has gone.
From his early days in the Swamp to his current role at one of the world’s leading aerospace and defense companies, Alberth’s story serves as a testament to the power of community, mentorship, and cultural pride. Through his work and advocacy, he continues to inspire the next generation of engineers to dream big and build boldly, together.
Story by: Vera Lucia Pappaterra Genao
Marketing & Communications Student Assistant
Design by: Christi Swiers
Marketing & Communications Specialist
UF Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
November 18, 2024
