April 10, 2023
From MIZ to KC, Mizzou Engineering students travelled across the state to find new opportunities at the 49th annual National Society of Black Engineers national convention in Kansas City.
“Mizzou NSBE had a big presence at the convention,” said Justin Williams, Mizzou NSBE Program Chair. “Our very own Chanel Wheeler was the National Convention Planning Chair (CPC), serving as the head of the overall convention that 13,000 people attended.”
Other Mizzou NSBE members served as representatives of the school and region. Maya Townsend, a senior mechanical engineering student, and Hirut Suraphel, a senior in biological engineering, also represented the chapter as the Region V Finance Chair and Region V International Chair.
While at the convention, students had the opportunity to attend workshops, networking sessions with companies and a career fair, which included a Mizzou Engineering booth where attendees could learn about the College’s graduate programs.
“Many of our members received offers for summer internships and full-time positions,” said Williams, who is a junior in civil engineering. “My interview went terrific, I felt very confident coming from it. Also, I made a connection at the Fall 2022 [Mizzou Engineering] career fair with one of the recruiters who was at the NSBE career fair, and we had a strong connection, so I went and talked to them.”
Also while in Kansas City, current Mizzou NSBE members had the opportunity to reconnect with alumni, including past presidents of the chapter.
“It was a great moment to converse with the very people who made great contributions to uplift Mizzou NSBE to where it is now,” Williams said.
Two Mizzou students, Awa-Bousso Gueye and Trenton Foster were recognized at the convention. Gueye was elected Region V Finance Chair for the upcoming year. Foster was awarded the NSBE BCA/Affiliate/Fellows (Affiliate) Scholarship.
NSBE’s mission is “to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.” Anyone at Mizzou looking for a way to grow professionally or to be part of a community is welcome to join.
Want to attend an engineering school with an active student body? Choose Mizzou Engineering!