Loreto credits her parents, both of whom were engineers, for raising her and her two brothers as equals. There were no “girl’s toys” nor “boy’s toys”; no “yours” or “mine”. Rather, each sibling was loved and considered unique but equal. She grew up in a community with many engineers and engineering families, and being a girl in this community didn’t stand in the way of pursuing a passion for books, studying as well as working, and solving complicated problems. Loreto points to her early summer “school lessons and presentations” that she and her brothers developed on their own for enjoyment as lighting the way toward her love for teaching. No surprise even as a youngster her “specialty” was mathematics and the sciences!
Accepted to study engineering at one of the most prestigious universities in Chile, her dream was starting to become a reality. Then, only 13 percent of those studying were female; after receiving her first masters she was accepted as a lecturer in 2002, and became only the second female tenure-track
professor at PUC. Today, female students entering the school of engineering now make up at least 35 percent of the class each year. Loreto reflects that, “things have changed…but still there is much room to grow”.
Along with her life-long passion for teaching, Loreto warmly embraces every opportunity to interact with and inspire her students, teaching thermodynamics and discussing with them their goals in life, their motives, and their interests. Loreto is mindful and generous in valuing her own mentors over the course of her career from student, to lecturer, to Vice Dean, to Associate Director of Undergraduate Affairs, to PUC Director of the bachelor of general studies, and now to Dean of Engineering and Director of School. She points to and can name many who have afforded her opportunity; furthered her career; and helped her become the well-regarded and widely recognized woman engineering leader. While she is most comfortable in areas where she firmly believes she can achieve and contribute, she is most articulate when talking about students are who what we send out to the world to make real and positive change in society. They and we, together, can make a difference now, not only in the future. They are engineers, but people, first, with diverse and distinctive talents, knowledge, skills, and talent, but united in this opportunity and commitment to making the world better. Knowledge of facts from books alone will not help meet this commitment. Passion and action, resilience and energy are required. So, too, is an appreciation of the human condition and a willingness to be one’s best self.
In Santiago in October 2019 Loreto was a part of a focused team hosting the GEDC Conference. In spite of being on the heels of a social crisis in Chile, the conference included more than 200 deans and leaders from schools of engineering and related organizations from around the world. International connects and collaborations are a significant motivator for Loreto’s continuing involvement with the IFEES GEDC community. Crossing borders, oceans and differences to focus on common challenges and conditions is truly what matters now – in engineering education and in the world. We can make a difference if we choose to and if we act. That is the opportunity and value IFEES GEDC offer to us all. In closing, here are Loreto’s heartfelt and clearly evidenced “words of wisdom”, a few things she says she has learned throughout her journey, which she feels is just starting. Wise and worth adopting by
each of us, anywhere:
- Believe in yourself.
- Find your strengths and cultivate them.
- Improve your weaknesses without focusing too much on them.
- Follow your dreams and find the right people to join you.
- Build strong teams and relationships.
- Ask for help, be helpful to others, and collaborate.
- Thank and acknowledge others’ impact on your life.
- Be generous with your abilities and time.
- Build—and keep—strong relationships.
- And finally: Learn from others, because everyone, from professors to students, is a potential teacher
The humble Dean Loreto does not trumpet her achievements; in fact, she continues to repeat not only her gratitude for those who helped her along the way but also her somewhat surprise in her achievements. This is no surprise for you who will read not only her short bio, but also her profile chapter in Volume II of the Rising to the Top book series.
A link to both can be found at:
https://www.gedcouncil.org/regular_members/valenzuela/