Overview of NSBE and College Membership Benefits
About NSBE
In This Section:
Greetings from the National Chair
National Directives
NSBE Founders
NSBE History
NSBE Mission and Objectives
NSBE Torch Symbol
The NSBE Body
NSBE Acronyms
Careers at NSBE
The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is owned and managed by its members. With more than 30,000 members around the world, NSBE is one of the largest student-governed organizations based in the United States. NSBE’s mission is "to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community."
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 activities, mentoring opportunities, career placement services and more. NSBE comprises 394 active chapters — 242 collegiate, 70 professional and 82 pre-collegiate — located in six geographic regions. NSBE is governed by an executive board of college students and engineering professionals and is operated by a professional staff at its World Headquarters, located in Alexandria, Va.
The NSBE Torch symbolizes the organization’s everlasting, burning desire to achieve success in this competitive society and to effect positive change in the quality of life of all people. The same light that flows from the NSBE Torch to students and professionals in the United States is also useful for NSBE members in other countries in the Americas (the United States, Canada, South America, and the Caribbean), as well as in Africa, Europe, South America, Asia and Australia. The goal of the Society is to replicate its mission and vision in countries around the world, creating a global network of Black engineers, scientists and technologists. NSBE has accomplished more for Black engineering students than any other organization in the world.
Collegiate
- Access to 20+ companies at regional conferences and over 300 at the National Convention career fair.
- Academic support is provided via tutoring and academic achievement programs.
- KAPLAN test preparation workshops available at conferences. Discounted Kaplan Test Prep services and materials. You can also receive a chance to win a free test prep class offered by Kaplan.
- Leadership Development – Receive exceptional training at regional conferences, the National Convention, and through your local chapter. You also have the opportunity to serve on a Regional and/or National Executive Board.
- Post your resume free of charge to top engineering companies in NSBE’s Job Placement Center (JPC) (need link). Search for internships, co-ops, and full-time job opportunities.
- Apply for various scholarships and grants. Scholarships are awarded every year to deserving undergraduate students. Many of our scholarships do not require a GPA.
- Meet thousands of other students and technical professionals in your field of study.
- Compete in a vast number of programs that help prepare you for graduate school and your future career.
- Give back to the community through NSBE’s T.O.R.C.H. and Pre-College Initiative programs.
- Receive a subscription to NSBE Magazine. Each issue offers the latest industry news and articles tailored to individual areas of engineering. (a $20 value)
- Discounts Registrations to conferences and events including the Annual Convention, the largest student planned conferences in the world. Technical training and unparalleled networking opportunities are available at these conferences as you meet people from all over the world.
NSBE Professional
- Leadership Development and Training including Panel Discussions with Top Leadership from Fortune 500 Companies
- Professional Development via a multitude of workshops, seminars, and networking opportunities at Conferences and local Chapter Functions
- KAPLAN test preparation workshops available at conferences. Discounted Kaplan Test Prep services and materials. You can also receive a chance to win a free test prep class offered by Kaplan.
- Receive a subscription to NSBE Magazine. Each issue offers the latest industry news and articles tailored to individual areas of engineering. (a $20 value) Includes the Career Engineer, a special section of the magazine that highlights our Technical Professionals
- Discount Registrations for conferences and events including the National Convention/Technical Professionals Conference held annually in March
- Post your resume free of charge to top engineering companies in NSBE’s Job Placement Center (JPC) (need link). Search for full-time job opportunities.
- Access to Fortune 500 Companies during the Career Fair and Networking Suites annually at the Annual Convention/Technical Professional Conference
- First year Alumni membership dues are waived for NSBE Collegiate members upon Graduation with an Undergraduate degree within the first year of degree completion. (a $50 value)
- Access to scholarships/fellowships
- Mentoring and Community Outreach opportunities
- Special Interest Groups (SIGs) which address specific areas of Engineer, i.e. Biomedical Engineering, Environmental Engineer, etc…
NSBEpreneur™
Officially launched in January, 2010 NSBEpreneur™ is a program that is designed to increase the number of Black owned technical companies. The program consists of four core components. Four more information on the program or to support, contact the NSBE Business Diversity Committee atnebbusiness@nsbe.org.
Training Institute
The Training Institute offers training for current and prospective business owners. The primary focus is on creating technical companies; however, the program is open and valuable for all. The training is offered via webinar, Regional and Annual Conferences and via local activities.
Elevator Pitch and Business Plan Competitions
The elevator pitch and business plan competitions occur at NSBE Conferences. NSBE members have the opportunity to present to panels of experts who can offer feedback and guidance. Prizes are awarded to the winning presenter(s). There are practice sessions and training offered throughout the year in preparation for the final competitions.
NSBE Showcase
For nearly twenty (20) years the NSBE Showcase (formerly the Marketplace) has been one of the most highly anticipated events of our Annual Convention. Each year nearly 8,000 members and supporters attend the NSBE Annual Convention. The NSBE Showcase gives NSBE members a venue to display their submisisons for the NSBE Science Fair, the poster competition, TRE Oral presentations, and a broader audience to present their Elevator Pitch/Business Plan presentations and Consulting Design Olympiad (CDO) presentations. The NSBE Innovatiosn Corner (formerly the Tech Expo), which is a component of the NSBE Showcase gives business owners the opportunities to showcase their products and promote their services to convention attendees.
Supplier Diversity Initiative
The supplier diversity initiative is designed to increase the number Black-owned businesses which are being awarded contracts. The goal of the initiative is to assist NSBE members getting their businesses certified as Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and subsequently accessing them to procurement opportunities with NSBE sponsors.
NSBE Scholarships
The society offers a variety of NSBE and Corporate-sponsored scholarship and award opportunities to our pre-college, collegiate undergraduate and graduate student, and technical professional members. Our scholarship packages range in value from $500 to $10,500. In addition to the scholarships, we also provide access to awards which acknowledge our highest achieving members, such as the Mike Shinn Distinguished Member of the Year (male and Female) Award with a cash award of $7,500, as well as the Alumni Member and Technologist of the Year. Each of these awardees also receive a Golden Torch Award from the organization. For more details on the available scholarships and awards, please visit our Scholarship Vault!!
PLEASE NOTE: In order to be eligible for NSBE scholarships you MUST:
- Be an ACTIVE, PAID NSBE member.
- Submit your transcript for GPA confirmation to World Head Quarters (Fall 2014 or LATER).
Transcripts can be emailed to scholarships@nsbe.org
Click here to access our Transcript and Scholarship Policy
Applications are being accepted now! With over $500,000 in scholarships given to current and potential NSBE members annually, don't miss your chance to secure funds for this program year.
Programs Team
National Society of Black Engineers
Maximum Allowable Scholarship Recipient Award Value
The following new policies have been established regarding those that are selected to receive NSBE scholarship awards. This is an active policy for all scholarships moving forward.
- Each scholarship recipient cannot be awarded more than two (2) scholarships in a given program year.
- Members that apply for more than one scholarship that has an internship requirement MUST rank acceptance of scholarship for awarding, if selected as a recipient. (A member cannot accept both internships for a given time period, thus must decide prior to selection which scholarship/internship they would want to accept in priority order.)
How to Verify Your GPA
GPAs may be verified in one of the following ways only:
- GPA Collection form (recommended for expedited processing)[1]
- Submit an accepted document electronically to National Society of Black Engineers via email to scholarships@nsbe.org
- Mail an accepted document to NSBE World Headquarters at NSBE Scholarships, 205 Daingerfield Rd, Alexandria, VA 22314
List of Accepted Documents:
An Official Transcript shall be defined as follows:
- A transcript which is validated, issued, and mailed directly by the institution in a sealed institutional envelope.
- An electronic transcript sent through a recognized third party transcript provider (i.e. University Registrar).
- A faxed copy of an original official transcript.
Alternate accepted documents: We accept the following documents as official verification documents.
- Degree Audit, GPA verification , or other form that includes the student’s name and GPA issued by the University
- Unofficial transcripts (as defined by a university) that include school background or seal, or are sent directly to NSBE World Headquarters in a sealed University envelope
NSBE Programs
Beyond our general membership benefits, NSBE programs and competitions are at the lifeblood of the organization. Programs and competitions are offered to all pre-college, undergraduate student, graduate student and technical professional members in the areas of Academic Excellence, Technical Excellence, Professional Development, Leadership Development, Entrepreneurship, Community Service and Pre-college outreach. Our program activities advance the mission of the organization and support the preparation and matriculation of under-represented pre-college and collegiate students on to engineering degrees and into the technical workforce. Through year-round programming at the chapter, regional and national level, our membership has vast opportunities for personal and professional growth, service learning to give back to our communities, and to be acknowledged and showcased for academic and technical success.