PITT NSBE NAMED RETENTION CHAPTER OF THE YEAR

SOSSEENA WOODS NAMED NATIONAL CHAIR MEET THE

2013—2014 EXECUTIVE BOARD

BACK TO THE MOTHERLAND NSBE RETURNS INDIANAPOLIS FOR CONVENTION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NSBE Convention 03

Ashley McCray 07

2013—2014 Executive Board 09

Sossena Wood 10

Congratulating and Recognizing Graduating Seniors 11

2012—2013 Newsletters 14

UNIVERSITY

OF

PITTSBURGH

NSBE

2013

NATIONAL

CONVENTION

...succeeding

professionally

HONORING OUR PAST, HONORING OUR PAST,

DRIVING OUR COMMUNITY FORWARDDRIVING OUR COMMUNITY FORWARD

This year, the National Society of Black Engineers returned home to Indianapolis, Indiana for the Nation-al Convention with the title theme. This year Pitt NSBE took more than 30 members this year. For many of the NSBE members, this was not the first convention they’ve been to, though for the many freshmen and some of the upper-class students, this was their first experience at a NSBE National Convention. Here are a few accounts of what the experi-ence was like.

Soyo Awosika-Olumo—Freshman Computer Engineer

1. Is this your first time going?

Yes.

2. How was the experience for you?

It was awesome.

3. Was it what you expected? What did you find most interesting about the experience?

It was what I expected in terms of the energy that was there. I found it interesting the passion and the drive that people had for the organi-zation.

JOHN DOE—Sophomore Civ. Eng.

1. Is this your first time going?

Yes.

2. How was the experience for you?

It was one of the best experi-ences of my life. The atmosphere put you in a good mood. I was so busy and I wasn’t even able to do

everything I was interested in. The convention instilled me with so much motivation. It helped me to understand NSBE at the greatest level and which I feel will help me to work to improve Pitt NSBE. I have never been more inspired to give back in my life.

3. Was it what you expected? What did you find most inter-esting about the experience?

It exceeded my expectations in every way. The most inter-esting aspect of the experience was how much I was able to learn about the organization and take back to my chapter.

This year the chapter represent-ed itself well in terms of leader-ship and also winning the “Retention Chapter of Year Award.” The convention is an op-portunity for students to net-work and speak with representa-tives of the 300+ companies pre-sent. It also a chance to sit in on

workshops that teach leadership, networking amongst other valua-ble skills for students in STEM majors. It’s not all work and no play. The convention also in-cludes many other activities in-cluding various shows and gath-erings for the attendees. Those who went came back with a greater insight as to what NSBE really stands for and what it means to be a member of the National Society of Black Engi-neers. Pitt is looking forward to continuing this tradition of a strong presence and strong lead-ership at future annual conven-tions.

ASHLEY

McCray

Ashley McCray has had year of accomplishments as

this past years’ Academics Chair. But before we get

to what those accomplishments were, a little back-

ground information. When asked why she chose en-

gineering, she responded: “Long story short, I didn’t

choose engineering. It chose me. I was the typical

pre-med smart kid that was going to study chemistry/

biology and go to medical school. But I sat n on an

engineering discussion my senior year where they

explained who engineers were and what they did and

I realized that that was me. So instead of studying

chemistry, I declared Chemical Engineering.. Hailing

from Chicago, Illinois, she was then asked why the

University of Pittsburgh. “The University of Pitts-

burgh is well rounded. The fact that Pitt has great ac-

ademics, athletics, and social life made it a front run-

ner in my top 5. But when it came down to the final

decision, the city itself swayed my vote. As a born

Chicagoan, I wanted to be nearby a big city and not

be constricted to just a “college town.”

Her older sister’s activity in the National Soci-

ety of Black Engineers is what inspired her to join.

As she put it “...it just looked like fun.” She goes on

to say “...when I was still visiting universities, I went

to my state school’s high school visit, which was an

overnight hosted by their NSBE and SHPE chapters

and had so much fun. And of course, being an Afri-

can-American engineering student, it only seemed

right that she join the organization. Her first position

in NSBE came when previous Academic Excellence

Chair, Jada Davis went abroad. McCray was recom-

mended to replace her in the position during the sec-

ond semester. She went on to retain the position her

Sophomore year. She had many successes. When

asked about them she summed them as such:

“We had many programs and events, but what really mat-

ters to me is the lasting impact. So I believe the successes I

hold nearest to my heart is seeing how well my freshman

are doing, seeing how the chapter is utilizing our resources

(NSBE library and each other and how well they’re doing.

This growth and improvement was illustrated with our

chapter receiving the “Retention Chapter of the

Year” award. Also, one of my goals was to ensure

our biannual Study-A-Thon was more recognized

across the entire campus. And we achieved that

goal.” This year had a record amount of students

attending each day of the Study-A-Thon, to make

it one of the great successes of the chapter this

year.

The final question she was asked pertains to

her current position. When asked which position

she wanted to hold next, she responded saying she

wanted to go to the regional level and planned to

run for the Region 2 Programs Chair position. We

are happy to announce that she won the position

and has many plans and goals as she prepares to

take on this new challenge. “I have so many big

dreams for our region and the organization as a

whole, but I feel like improving the simple things

will cause a domino effect. My big goal is to in-

crease chapter-to-chapter communication and col-

laboration through programs geared to improve

our academic achievement, professional develop-

ment and overall as cultured individuals.”

President Marcus Jordan

Vice-President Casey Tompkins-Rhoades

Secretary Soyo Awosika-Olumo

Treasurer John Walker

Programs Chair Katreena Thomas

Business Diversity Brianna Pinckney

Parliamentarian Ashley Smoots

Conference Planning Chair Tolu Dayo

Senator Robert Timmons

Senator Rodney Kizito

Membership Brytani Hinson

Membership Macy McCollum

PCI Rachel Strother

PCI Roland Beard

Academic Excellence Joy Frazier

Comm. Outreach Oghoghosa Igbineweka

Finance Chair Danielle Carter

Historian Yinka Olutoye

Public Relations Shemaine Benson

Publications Adedoyin Ojo

2013—2014 Pitt NSBE Executive Board

Sossena Wood: A Visible Engineer

It is no doubt that Sossena Wood

has worked tirelessly to get to

where she is in both engineering

and the National Society of Black

Engineers. Currently, she is pur-

suing her PhD in Bioengineering

at the University of Pittsburgh as

both a K. Leroy Irvis and GEM

fellow. She graduated as an un-

dergrad with a Bachelor’s Degree

in Electrical Engineering.

Many students at the University

of Pittsburgh can attest to her

want to help out students. Many

turn to her for advice and encour-

agement. She has served as a role

mentor, friend and role model to

many of the members in engi-

neering. She’s always there

whenever you need her.

She is no stranger to achievement

or leadership. She has served in

several executive board positions

while an undergraduate at Pitt

including Senator and President.

She has also served as the Region

II Vice-Chairperson and Chair-

person, Last year she served as

the National Vice-Chair of the

National Society of Black Engi-

neers. Her vision for NSBE is

focused on advancing the society

through the academic excellence

of the members. Her vision as a

whole as stated in her bio on the

NSBE website “Sossena’s vision

the society, is to lead NSBE to

drive innovation through the

Academic Excellence of our

members, have our members

consciously give back to the

organization, increase and devel-

op the number of technical pro-

fessionals and focus on women in

STEM.” She is focused on

bringing NSBE to a front where

companies are turning to the

society for their engineers. Dur-

ing her candidacy for National

Chairperson when asked “What

can NSBE do to build on the

2012 – 2013 National Direc-

tives,” she answered as such: “As

Chair, I believe to build on the

foundation of the current national

directives, we should:

1. Make academic excellence our

premier directive

2. Focus in on exposing and re-

taining more minority females to

technical fields

3. Concentrate on the growth of

young technical professionals

4. Develop our members to give

back

I believe these key areas enable

us to challenge our membership

so that they might grow through

their involvement.”

She goes on to say, answering

another question asked “We will

encourage the increasing number

of graduates to positively impact

our community by remaining

visible Black engineers, illumi-

nating our contributions to and

opportunities in technical fields.”

For the entirety of this interview

visit the following link (http://

www.nsbe.org/Blogs/National-

Senate-Blog/Elections-2013/

Sossena-Wood.aspx) No doubt,

Ms. Wood has the membership of

NSBE as her focus for advancing

the National Society of Black

Engineers to a greater

presence, and she will

achieve and excel as this

coming year’s National

Chairperson, the 6th

woman to ever hold the

position.

“I unselfishly serve because I believe in what our founders believed in and I vividly see the promise of our Society…”

Twenty-One Pitt Students Receive 2013 National Science Foundation Fellowships

Twenty-one University of Pittsburgh students have received 2013 Graduate Research Fellowships from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The fellowships have been awarded to eight seniors who graduated from the University April 28 and 13 students who are pursuing graduate studies at Pitt.

The NSF’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program is designed to ensure the vitality and diversity of the scientific and engineering workforce in the United States. The program recognizes and supports outstanding students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees. Fellows receive a three-year annual sti-pend of $30,000 along with a $12,000 cost-of-education allowance for tuition and fees.

The fellowship program has a long history of selecting recipients who achieve high levels of success in their future academic and professional careers. The support accorded NSF Graduate Research Fellows nurtures their ambition to become lifelong leaders who contribute significantly to both sci-entific innovation and teaching.

The names of the newly graduated Pitt seniors receiving the fellowships and their earned Universi-ty degrees are: Ohiremen Louis Dibua, Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering; Sydney Michelle Gibson, Bachelor of Science in bioengineering; Naomi Rose Latorraca, Bachelor of Arts in history and Bachelor of Science in molecular biology; Elizabeth O’Reilly, Bachelor of Science in mathematics, Carsen Stringer, Bachelor of Science in physics and applied mathematics, Lisa R. Volpatti, Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering; Christopher Allen Zimmerman, Bachelor of Science in bioengineering and Bachelor of Science in neuroscience; and Andrew Charles Zmolek, Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering.

The Pitt graduate students from the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences who have re-

ceived the fellowships and their academic departments are: Neal Cameron Barcelo, computer sci-

ence; Shannon Diane Donofry, psychology; Stephen R. Groskreutz, chemistry; Kathryn Ann

LeCroy, biological sciences; Sarah Diane Lichenstein, psychology; Bryce Leslie Lunt, biological sci-

ences; Megan Miller, psychology; and Julia Diane Reuben, psychology. The Pitt graduate student

from the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences receiving the fellowship is Nathan Scott Ho-

gaboom, rehabilitation science and technology; the Pitt graduate student from the School of Medi-

cine receiving the fellowship is Jeffrey Chiou, neurobiology; and the Pitt graduate students from

the Swanson School of Engineering’s bioengineering department receiving the fellowships are Den-

ver Michael Faulk, Sharlene Nicole Flesher, and Timothy Joseph Keane.

Source: http://www.as.pitt.edu/news-events/dietrich-school-students-among-record-number-

nsf-fellowship-recipients

NEWSLETTERS

THE

2012 2013