The George Mason University chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) has been busy with a week’s worth of activities that celebrate and connect aspiring engineers of color.
National Society of Black Engineers Week offers an array of activities that foster increased job and networking opportunities, as well as additional academic support.
Rochelle Jones, who serves as the Mason’s chapter’s intel advisor, said NSBE Week is about raising awareness about the organization across campus and the support and resources the organization can provide engineering majors.
“It's not just for Black and African American engineers but all engineers,” said Jones, an associate professor in the Department of Systems Engineering and Operations Research within the Volgenau School of Engineering. “It's about building a community and enhancing skills to prepare students for their next chapter after they leave Mason.”
Virtual events this week included a game night and a movie night with the new film, “Coming 2 America,” as well as a general organizational meeting and information about the upcoming virtual NSBE convention.
The ongoing global pandemic makes this year’s events all the more important, Mason Chapter President Saíd Saidahmed, a senior computer science major, explained.
“NSBE Week is important because it connects students, especially during times like these where everyone is so distant,” he said. “Since so many students are stressed out, NSBE Week is a way for everyone to connect and to destress.”
“I hope that we have high engagement with our current members and gain new members as well,” added Alissa Wells, the Mason chapter’s academic excellence chair. “Overall, I’m excited for us to get the opportunity to get to know our members better.”
Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, the National Society of Black Engineers includes 24,000 members from more than 700 active chapters in the United States and abroad.
The organization’s stated mission is “to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.” The NSBE is committed to helping the United States begin annually producing 10,000 black engineers by 2025.