National Society of Black Engineers
ESD Participates in NSBE's Regional Conference Held in Boston
By Monica Nakamine
November 24, 2003
On Saturday, November 15, 2003, MIT’s Engineering Systems Division (ESD) was one of 45+ career and graduate school fair participants at the 27th Annual National Society of Black Engineers’ Fall Regional Conference, which was held in Boston. This year’s theme was “Strengthening the Pipeline to Success,” which emphasized the importance of the organization’s membership groups and corporate sponsors to work together toward a single goal.
From left to right: Carlos Mazariegos, Pedzi Makumbe, and Richard Tonui.
Ayanna Samuels (left) speaks to a prospective student.
Several ESD student volunteers (representing their respective programs) were on hand to speak with people about the division and the various programs it houses. Student volunteers included:
- Alan Cheng, TPP ‘05
- Carlos Mazariegos, LFM ‘05
- Ayanna Samuels, TPP ’05 and S.M. ’05 in Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
- Richard Tonui, MLOG ‘04
- Erich Caulfield, S.M., School of Engineering
- Pedzi Makumbe, ESD '05
- Maggie Tsui, TPP '05
Several staff members also made themselves available to answer questions alongside the student volunteers. Staff volunteers included:
- Fran Marrone, Administrative Assistant to Professor Dan Hastings, ESD Co-Director
- Monica Nakamine, LFM-SDM Communications Specialist
- Simone Sandy, School of Engineering Communications Assistant
- Lois Slavin, ESD Communications Director
While many of the conference attendees were very familiar with MIT information on ESD and its cutting-edge interdisciplinary academic and research programs was new to them.
“When I informed [prospective] students about that nature of ESD’s interdisciplinary programs, they were excited and intrigued,” said Ayanna Samuels, who is currently working on a dual master’s of science degree in the Technology and Policy Program (TPP) and at the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. I believe it is of tantamount importance that ESD continues to make its presence felt at such events. This is one of the most effective ways we can get our names out to traditionally underserved communities.”
ESD plans to attend NSBE’s 30th Annual National Convention in Dallas, from March 17-21, 2004. If you will be in the area and would like to volunteer to work at the ESD exhibit as a student or alumnus representative of one of the ESD programs, please contact Diane Katz at 617.324.2001.