The Millersville University Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers attended the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Conference held from March 23 to March 27, 2022, at the Kansas City Convention Center, Kansas MO. The Applied Engineering, Safety & Technology (AEST) department was represented by four students: Vaughn Weldon, Sydney Hargrove, Kennedy Clark and Jordan Branch.
The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Conference is a yearly event that brings together students, professionals, and educators in engineering and related fields. The NSBE conference provided a platform for attendees to network, learn, and showcase their skills and knowledge. This essay will provide an overview of the NSBE conference in Kansas City and highlight some of the key events and activities that took place.
The conference theme was “Innovate, Educate, and Elevate” and it aimed to provide attendees with opportunities to learn about the latest trends and developments in engineering, as well as to connect with like-minded individuals and organizations. The conference also aimed to promote diversity and inclusivity in engineering and related fields.
The conference kicked off with an opening ceremony that featured speeches from several keynote speakers, including NSBE Executive Director Karl Reid, and Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas. The opening ceremony also featured performances by local musicians and artists, and it provided a festive atmosphere that set the tone for the rest of the conference.
Over the course of the five-day conference, attendees had the opportunity to participate in a wide range of events and activities. These included workshops, panel discussions, networking events, and career fairs. There were also opportunities for attendees to showcase their skills and knowledge through poster sessions, technical paper presentations, and robotics competitions.
One of the highlights of the conference was the career fair, which provided attendees with the opportunity to meet with recruiters from a wide range of engineering and technology companies. The career fair featured over 300 companies, including Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, and it provided attendees with the opportunity to learn about job opportunities, network with industry professionals, and even interview on the spot.
Another key event at the conference was the Technical Research Exhibition, which provided attendees with the opportunity to showcase their research and engineering projects. The exhibition featured over 500 posters and presentations from undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professionals and researchers. The projects on display covered a wide range of topics, from renewable energy and sustainability to biomedical engineering and robotics.
In addition to the technical events, the conference also featured a range of social events and activities. These included a gala dinner, a step show, and a talent show, as well as a range of networking events and social mixers. These events provided attendees with the opportunity to relax and socialize with other conference attendees, as well as to build lasting connections and relationships.
Overall, the NSBE conference in Kansas City was a highly successful event that provided attendees with a wide range of opportunities to learn, network, and showcase their skills and knowledge. The conference provided a platform for promoting diversity and inclusivity in engineering and related fields, and it showcased the talent and potential of the many bright and motivated individuals who attended. The conference was a testament to the importance of events like this in promoting innovation, education, and elevation in engineering and related fields.
-by Jordan Branch