Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering Alumna of the Year: Shipra De

Shipra De simultaneously earned three degrees at UNLV before going on to earn a master's in computer science from the Georgia Institute of Technology and an MBA from Arizona State University. Today, she leads and mentors data analysts, drawing upon her diverse background and ability to translate business needs into practical solutions. Throughout her career, she’s given back by facilitating partnerships between UNLV and her employers, serving on the Computer Science Advisory Board, and participating in a variety of programs and activities in support of UNLV students.

What does being selected as the 2026 College of Engineering honoree mean to you?

It’s incredibly special. I’ve called Las Vegas home for more than 30 years, and five of those were spent at UNLV, where I built the foundation for both my career and many of the lifelong friendships I still cherish today.

UNLV opened doors for me that I never imagined.  From research opportunities and internships to mentors who believed in me and challenged me to grow, those experiences shaped not only the engineer I became, but the person I became as well.

I’m proud to represent the college in our community, and it’s especially meaningful to be recognized by an institution that has had such a lasting impact on my life. Receiving this honor from a place that has given me so much is quite special.

What inspired you to pursue engineering, and what led you to choose UNLV?

My sister was a UNLV alumna and had nothing but great things to say about the university, so I always knew I wanted to attend UNLV. What I didn’t know was that I would end up pursuing engineering.

I started as a mathematics major and knew very little about computers — other than the fact that I found them frustrating. I was dreading the computer science courses required for my math degree. But when I took my first computer science class, I discovered it was the part of mathematics I loved most. Algorithms. Problem solving. Finding the most elegant and efficient solution. It was love at first sight.

I decided to add computer science as a second major and that decision completely changed the trajectory of my career.  I would do it again in a heartbeat.  

Looking back, how did your experience at UNLV prepare you for your career?

Success in any scientific field goes well beyond mastering technical skills. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with people from many different disciplines, each bringing their own perspectives, priorities, and expertise. Learning to communicate effectively and collaborate across those groups has been just as important as my technical knowledge.

UNLV prepared me exceptionally well for that. My multidisciplinary education taught me to approach problems from different angles, while my involvement in student organizations helped me develop leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. Those experiences taught me that success isn’t just about solving technical problems.  It’s about building relationships, bringing people together, and working toward a common goal. 

What skills do you believe today's engineering students should develop beyond technical knowledge?

I think there is one skill everyone needs to develop, whether they're an engineering student or not, and that's resilience. We're entering an era where technology is evolving at an incredible pace, and artificial intelligence is changing the way we all work. The careers today's students will have may look very different from the ones they imagined when they first chose their major. Change is inevitable, and the people who embrace it, adapt to it, and continue learning will be the ones who succeed.

The second skill is critical thinking. Use AI to handle repetitive and tedious work. Let it help you become more efficient. But don't outsource your thinking. The real value you'll bring as an engineer isn't your ability to generate an answer, but your ability to ask the right questions, evaluate the results, and make sound decisions. Those skills will always be in demand.

As a UNLV alumna, why has it been important for you to stay connected to the university and support future engineers?

I was fortunate to be influenced by many industry partners and professionals at UNLV. Between guest speakers, opportunities to shadow experts in their fields, and the mentorship I received during my internship, I gained experiences that had a profound impact on both my education and my career. Those individuals invested their time in me without expecting anything in return.

You can't really repay a debt like that. The only thing you can do is pay it forward.