Virginia State University Students Excel At National Engineering Convention

The VSU NSBE Chapter earned multiple prestigious awards and secured transformative professional advancement opportunities.

Virginia State University is proud to recognize the 51 Engineering and Technology students who attended this year's National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Annual Convention in Chicago. Thanks to grants from major industry partners, the students attended the four-day event from March 5-9, which attracted approximately 15,000 attendees and featured over 400 Career Fair exhibitors.

The NSBE convention presented VSU students with valuable opportunities, including networking, professional development workshops, and exposure to cutting-edge engineering innovations. The Career Fair was especially impactful, with over 80% of the attending VSU students securing post-convention interviews, internships, or full-time job offers.

"Attending the NSBE convention allowed our students to engage directly with industry leaders, enhancing their educational experience and opening doors to future careers," said Dr. Jordanne Davenport, an Assistant Professor in Computer Science who chaperoned the trip.

The VSU NSBE Chapter earned multiple prestigious awards at the convention, including the Edward E. Barnett Community Impact Award and the Region 2 NSBE Member of the Year award. Additionally, they earned the Region 2 Comeback Chapter of the Year award and were honored with the Academic Retention Program Award.

VSU students also excelled during competitions, with Toryelle Coleman and Samantha Collins earning National Finalist recognition in the Let's Debate: Digital Divide event.

"The NSBE convention has been instrumental in shaping our professional journeys, providing us with invaluable connections and opportunities," said VSU NSBE Chapter President Nicolas Pollard.

The 2025 NSBE Annual Convention commemorated the organization's 50th anniversary and served as a platform to honor excellence in STEM through events like the Golden Torch Awards, an annual recognition event honoring individuals, organizations, and institutions that have made significant contributions to the STEM fields.

VSU remains committed to supporting student success at NSBE and similar conventions, ensuring continued opportunities for growth, networking, and professional advancement in engineering, computing, and technology.