22 Students Attend National Society of Black Engineers Conference

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The College of Engineering was represented by 22 members of the National Society of Black Engineers recently during the 48th National Society Black of Engineers convention in Anaheim, California.

Sponsored by the College of Engineering, the 22 students had the opportunity to participate in curated workshops that featured world-class engineering developments and attend a career fair and competition.

The National Society of Black Engineers is one of the largest student-governed organizations based in the United States. Founded in 1975, the society supports and promotes the aspirations of collegiate and pre-collegiate students and technical professionals in engineering and technology.

"As this was my first conference, I did not know what to expect, but as soon as I got there, I was showered with excitement and a family-like feeling," said Jaira Porter, society president and a senior in industrial engineering. "It was such a good experience to meet other students in the same field and to also network on a professional level."

Cristopher Fennessee, vice president of the society and a senior in mechanical engineering, said attending the conference benefitted him on a professional level and a personal level.

"I was able to network and receive two offers from some of the top companies in the United States," Fennessee said. "The conference affected me on a personal level because I was able to connect with many Black professional students that will grow into lifelong friendships."

Adviser Thomas "T.C." Carter and co-adviser Patrice Sims accompanied the group. Carter is assistant dean of engineering academic and student affairs, and Sims is assistant director of the Office of Justice, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

With more than 600 chapters and more than 24,000 active members in the U.S. and abroad, the society's mission is "to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community."