Expanding our reach to the Spanish-speaking world
By Rebecca Lintow, CAE, Executive Director | TLT Headquarters Report August 2026
New Spanish-language certification exams and a call for bilingual board candidates signal a broader commitment to the Americas.
For a society built on the exchange of knowledge and the advancement of a specialized field, language has always mattered. Tribology and lubrication engineering are practiced around the world, and the professionals who dedicate their careers to these disciplines deserve access to the resources, recognition and community that STLE provides regardless of the language they work in. That conviction is driving a series of concrete steps we are taking to become a more inclusive and internationally connected organization.
In recent weeks, STLE has made two of its professional certification examinations available in Spanish. The STLE Certified Lubrication Specialist™ (CLS) and the STLE Oil Monitoring Analyst™ (OMA) exams are now offered in Spanish, removing a significant barrier for qualified professionals who have long had the knowledge and experience to earn these credentials but faced a language obstacle. These certifications are internationally recognized markers of expertise, and we believe the professionals who earn them in any language strengthen the entire field.
This work did not begin with exam translations. STLE has been building relationships with the next generation of tribologists in Latin America for some time, and one of our most tangible expressions of that commitment is the STLE Student Section at Universidad de Monterrey (UDEM). Through that chapter, students in one of Mexico's leading engineering programs are already participating in the same professional community as their counterparts in the U.S. by attending events, accessing technical resources and connecting with STLE members across the globe. The professionals who will shape the field in Mexico and across Latin America in the decades ahead are being introduced to STLE while they are still in school, and that is exactly where lasting engagement begins.
Our engagement with the Spanish-speaking professional community goes beyond credentialing. STLE is actively seeking candidates for its technical committees and 2027 Board of Directors who bring both Spanish-language fluency and deep expertise in lubricant additives, with particular ties to the Mexican market. Mexico’s industrial sector, including its robust automotive, manufacturing and energy industries, represents a vital and growing area of tribological practice. We want voices from that community shaping the direction of our society.
If this sounds like you or someone you know, I encourage you to reach out to me directly. Even if you are new to volunteering with STLE, your voice can be an important part of growing our outreach, and there are opportunities available for all technical areas and flexible time commitments.
These efforts reflect something we have believed for a long time: STLE’s strength comes from the breadth and diversity of its membership. The more perspectives we bring to the table, the more relevant, rigorous and resilient our community becomes. Building bridges with Spanish-speaking professionals and the Mexican engineering community is not a side initiative—it is central to who we are becoming as a society. We look forward to welcoming new colleagues, new voices and new ideas in the months ahead.
You can reach Certified Association Executive Rebecca Lintow at rlintow@stle.org.