LSU NSBE Works to Increase Awareness With Week-Long Event

02-06-18Poster for NSBE Week

February means different things to different people, and to the students in the LSU chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, it means an opportunity to bring awareness to potential STEM students.

NSBE is a student organization whose mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers that excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community. With that mission in mind, the LSU chapter hosted their second annual Geaux NSBE Week during Black History Month, Feb. 5-Feb. 9.

“NSBE Week is an event-filled week dedicated to improving the recruitment and retention of minority engineering students while helping increase membership and push the NSBE mission,” said Austin Mamou, chairperson of NSBE at LSU.

Mamou wants these events to have a positive impact on enrollment, GPAs and graduation rates, while shattering the myth of African-Americans not being able to succeed in STEM fields.

The week is packed full of professional and social events with the Southern University and University of Louisiana at Lafayette NSBE chapters.

Monday started with a panel about being a minority in corporate America and featured keynote speaker Marques McCormick, GOM base business team lead at Chevron in Covington, La.

Tuesday and Thursday are social events for LSU NSBE members, with the NSBE Baton Rouge Professional Chapter joining them on Thursday.

Wednesday is a workshop for NSBE members with Chevron at 6 p.m. in the Cambre Atrium of Patrick F. Taylor Hall. There will be three stations for resume critique, mock interviews and elevator pitches.

The week ends Friday with Get Fit at the LSU UREC, where NSBE Jr. will be in attendance to participate in STEM demonstrations, sports and fitness activities.

Mamou hopes these events will make a positive impact on all African-American and minority students at LSU.

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By Olivia Blackstock, Communications Intern