NSBE Embry-Riddle Chapter Takes Flight: Cultivating Diversity and Excellence in Engineering

ARTICLE BY JESSIE ABINSAY / Correspondent

PHOTOS BY NATIONAL SOCIETY OF BLACK ENGINEERS, EMBRY-RIDDLE CHAPTER

DESIGN BY DYLAN KOWLESSAR / Editor-in-Chief

The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) has been actively pursuing its mission statement: “to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.” As one of the largest student-run organizations in the United States, NSBE has been instrumental in improving the recruitment and retention of minority engineers in both academia and industry.

The NSBE Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Chapter has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the mission statement for the 2022-2023 academic year, resulting in significant successes. The chapter has been preparing its members to succeed professionally, and the efforts have paid off immensely, with members attending and excelling in three different conferences.

At the Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA) conference held in Washington, D.C., in February, nine ERAU students attended, and six received offers. Furthermore, at the NSBE 49th Annual Convention in Kansas City, Missouri, in March, around 30 NSBE members participated, with 21 of them receiving offers from top companies such as NASA, Boeing, Lockheed, Spirit AeroSystems, Northrop Grumman, Delta Air Lines, Raytheon Technologies (Collins Aerospace), among others. Additionally, the chapter registered 33 members for NSBE Region III’s first fully in-person Fall Regional Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, in October.

In addition to attending conferences, the NSBE Embry-Riddle Chapter has been actively engaging in volunteering events, collaborations, social outings, mentorship programs, and hands-on engineering projects. The members have also had the opportunity to interact with guest speakers from big companies and participate in alumni and faculty panels.

The College of Engineering Department has recently recognized the chapter for its outstanding commitment to inclusivity, diversity, equity, and advocacy (IDEA). The chapter has been awarded the IDEA Award for its excellence!

Furthermore, the chapter’s members have shown exceptional talent and success in various competitions and scholarships. NSBE member Kesmir Barthelemy and ERAU’s RobotX Team Minion achieved a remarkable first place victory out of 20 teams from around the world at the 2022 Maritime RobotX Challenge, showcasing their impressive engineering skills and ingenuity.

Jemimah Davies, another talented NSBE member, attended the Leadership Summit for Black Leaders in Aerospace Scholarship and Training (BLAST) Scholars. She was honored with the BLAST Scholarship, recognizing her academic excellence and leadership.

The NSBE 49th Annual Convention saw the participation of several members from the Embry-Riddle Chapter, who attended the Boeing Flight Competition, showcasing their skills and creativity in the field of aviation engineering. The team SOAR Eagles, consisting of Jessie Abinsay, Brian Kibe, Olivia Munisi, and Brian Masabala, earned first place for Distance and Best Overall Award, adding another accolade to the chapter’s impressive list of accomplishments.

Overall, the NSBE Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Chapter has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to its mission statement, providing opportunities for its members to excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community. The chapter’s achievements serve as a testament to the effectiveness of NSBE’s efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion in engineering.