Engineering Dreams Take Flight

Luis Cortez

Luis Cortez turned a childhood in East Wenatchee into a launchpad for aerospace innovation. Raised by parents working full-time in the tree fruit industry, Luis graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in aerospace engineering and a spot on the Dean’s List. But his impact went far beyond the classroom—he led the Hull Team for the Human Powered Submarine Club, interned at AeroTEC, contributed to graduate-level research, and built rockets with a local Seattle club. Through it all, Luis lifted others, volunteering with the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers to create a space where students like him felt seen and supported. His story proves that with heart, hustle, and hope, you can rise from humble beginnings to shape the future of flight.