Founded at Purdue University in 1975, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) is known as one of the largest student-ran organizations in the country. At the 2023 conference this March in Kansas City, MO, there were over 10,000 students in attendance. Purdue was represented in this mix with over 21 graduate students, one postdoc, three faculty, and over 50 undergraduate students in attendance. The Purdue University College of Engineering Dean, Arvind Raman, was among those in attendance and was able to meet with the four remaining founders of NSBE. In addition, Professor William Crossley, Head of Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering at Purdue, was in attendance and supported students to attend the conference.

When two buses of Purdue students and faculty arrived in Kansas City, career fair booths were quickly set up with help from Purdue Engineering Dean’s Office of Graduate Education, the Minority Engineering Program (MEP), and Purdue for Life Foundation. Purdue had a large presence at the conference with four career booths. Professor Phillip Dunston, Dean’s Faculty Fellow for HBCU engagement, spoke at the Graduate Student Conference Kickoff. 

At the conference, the Golden Torch Awards are awarded for high achieving students in STEM. From Purdue, Bereket Bekele, a graduate student in chemical engineering, won a scholarship, and Jordan Cross, a graduate student in environmental and ecological engineering, placed first in her poster competition. In addition, alumna Nicole Vaughn, Ph.D. was awarded the Outstanding Woman in Technology Award. Purdue Masters of Environmental Engineering student Nafissa Maïga shared her research in an oral presentation. 

Congratulations to all award winners and presenters at this year’s conference, and thank you to everyone who attended to spread our Boilermaker spirit. We look forward to seeing everyone at NSBE 2024!

Purdue University students and staff took two buses to the NSBE convention in Kansas City, MO this March.

One of the career fair booths set up by Purdue University. This was one of four booths that the university had in collaboration with Purdue Engineering Dean’s Office of Graduate Education, the Minority Engineering Program (MEP), and the Purdue for Life Foundation.

Students at the conference were able to present their research. Edwin Kpodzro, a Ph.D. student in the School of Mechanical Engineering, is shown presenting his research. Edwin is also a member of the Ecological Sciences and Engineering Interdisciplinary Graduate Program.

Nafissa Maïga, a Master’s student in Environmental and Ecological Engineering shared her research in an oral presentation.