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NSBE Mission Statement
To increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.
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What Is NSBE?
The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) is a 501(C)(3) non-profit association that is owned and managed by its members of over 24,000 strong making it the largest student-managed organization in the country. It is governed by an executive board of college students and engineering professionals and is operated by a professional staff in our World Headquarters located in Alexandria, VA. The organization is dedicated to the academic and professional success of African-American engineering students and professionals. NSBE offers its members leadership training, professional development, mentoring opportunities, career placement services and more! NSBE is comprised of more than 300 collegiate, 75 professional and 75 pre-college chapters nationwide and overseas.
NSBE with its unique characteristics, has accomplished more for Black engineering students than any other organization in the world. The same light that NSBE spreads to students and professionals in the United States is also relevant in African, European, South American, Asian, Caribbean, Canadian, Australian and Pacific Islander countries for people of color. It is the NSBE leadership's vision that the organization will replicate itself in countries around the world, creating a world network of Black engineers, scientists and technologists through its international operations.
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The Torch
The torch symbolizes members'
everlasting, burning desire to achieve success in a competitive society and positively affect the quality of life for all people. The
lightening bolt represents the striking impact that will be felt by the society and industry due to the contributions and accomplishments
made by the dedicated members of the National Society of Black Engineers. -
Long Range Plan
The NSBE Chapter at Mississippi State University sets goals to strive for excellence in which the Society as a whole desires of its members. Below is a detailed outline and description of the MSU NSBE Chapter Long Range Plan 2007
Chapter Long Range Plan 2007-2008
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National Directives (C.E.E.M.)
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Cultivate Leadership
Leadership is key to meeting our mission. We must provide each member with the skills to lead and serve, to give each a distinct competitive advantage in the work force and the ability to benefit those whom NSBE has pledged to “positively impact.” As an organization, we will approach this effort by providing each member the opportunity to develop skills and traits characteristic of an effective leader throughout the year. Also, in a more effective manner, we will channel resources and support to chapters and chapter leaders for membership services and development
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Excel Academically
At the heart of the NSBE mission are the words “to excel academically.” We will work intently to eliminate racial disparities in academic achievement, matriculation and attainment of degrees in technical fields, through comprehensive programs targeting these areas. In addition, we will recognize those members who truly live this part of our mission statement.
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Expand the Pipeline
To truly meet our mission, we must address issues affecting the growth and development of the black community, paying particular attention to the engineering pipeline. We will establish a standard community presence and demonstrate our organization's relevance through our work in placing many more students into the engineering pipeline to address the nation's need to produce more technical talent.
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Mobilize the Membership
NSBE members represent all that is positive in the black community. Our organization will display its broader relevance through community action. Additionally, we will continue to be the primary platform for displaying the vast array of black technical talent to the world.
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History of NSBE
In 1971, two Purdue undergraduate students, Edward Barnette (now deceased) and Fred Cooper approached the dean of engineering at Purdue University with the concept of starting the Black Society of Engineers (BSE). They wanted to establish a student organization to help improve the recruitment and retention of black engineering students. In the late 1960's, a devastating 80 percent of the black freshmen entering the engineering program dropped out. The dean agreed to the idea and assigned the only black faculty member on staff, Arthur J. Bond, as advisor.
Barnett served as the first president of the BSE. The fledging group gained momentum in 1974, with the direction and encouragement of Bond and the active participation of the young men whose destiny was to become the founders of NSBE. Now known as the "Chicago Six", these men are Anthony Harris, Brian Harris,Stanley L. Kirtley, John W. Logan, Jr., Edward A. Coleman, and George A. Smith.
Encouraged by their on-campus success, Anthony Harris, president of the Purdue chapter, wrote a letter to the presidents and deans of every accredited engineering program in the country (288), explained the Society of Black Engineers (SBE) concept and asked them to identify black student leaders, organizations and faculty members who might support their efforts on a national basis. Approximately 80 schools responded. Many had similar Black student organizations with similar objectives. A date was set for the first national meeting and 48 students representing 32 schools attended the event, held April 10-12, 1975. Harris also changed the organization's nomenclature from the BSE to the Society of Black Engineers (SBE).
It was at that historic meeting through majority vote, that SBE became the National Society of Black Engineers. The familiar NSBE symbol "N" with lightning bolts was chosen and it remains a distinctively recognizable symbol representing the premier technical organization for African American engineering students and professionals. NSBE was eventually incorporated in Texas, in 1976 as 501©3 non-profit organization. John Cason, also of Purdue, served as the first elected president of NSBE. As the organization grew, Virginia Booth became the first female National Chairperson and the first to serve two terms 1978-1980.
National Society of Black Engineers | Mississippi State University Chapter
