NSBE - Winter 2009/2010 - 8

From the PublicationsChair My Story By Melanie J. Sutherland NSBE National Publications Chair T hirty years after it was founded in 1975, I was exposed to and inspired by the National Society of Black Engineers. That year, 2005, is when I started as an undergraduate at the University of South Florida. In my classes, I was the only African-American female engineering student and one of four AfricanAmerican students of either gender. My older sister, an engineer, advised me to get involved with the NSBE chapter. The group was small — about six strong at meetings, including the Executive Board — but it became my main way of coping with my difficult major. That November, I went with the University of Florida chapter to the Region III Fall “This year, I challenge you to RISE and participate in NSBE leadership!” Regional Conference in Atlanta. Man, was I in for a treat! The sense of mission, the hype, the chants, the feeling of family: I had never experienced this before. I met tons of friends and mentors, and a company representative who helped me get my first internship this past summer. I left the conference wanting to be a bigger part of NSBE and go to every NSBE event I could. After serving on my chapter’s e-board, I made my way up to the Annual Convention Planning Committee as Marketplace coordinator. I learned a lot from this exhilarating experience about professionalism and the type of leader I am. I also ran for regional publications chair during the convention and won. The Regional Executive Board was great! We connected as board members during our retreat — one house, six rooms, three days of leadership training. By the third day, we had become a family. At the end of the year, though, I was wishing the REB had had more face time. We only saw each other at four events, max. From the REB I took the next step, the 8• nsbe magazine lunge, to national leadership, following my desire to put plans into action and become a mentor-leader for other NSBE members. I wanted to help NSBE members know they, too, could hold leadership positions in NSBE and still have an academic and social life. At the Annual National Convention in Las Vegas, NSBE elected me as national publications chair for 2009–10. Even though I was the only one running for the position, it was a good feeling to know I made valid points to win the vote. I’ll admit the Q&A session was a little depressing: Only half of the Senate and maybe a quarter of the other convention attendees were there; and I only had one question to answer. Oh well, easier for me! My year so far is going well. I’ve had two meetings at the amazing NSBE World Headquarters in Alexandria, Va., and I’ve helped lead teams producing two national magazines and a newsletter. Not to mention that the National Leadership Conference was held in Annapolis at the U.S. Naval Academy! To sum up my NSBE experience: I have made many friends and found many mentors. I’ve found the strength and motivation to stay in school and keep good grades as a studentathlete, through four years of college. I share my story because I hope it will answer a few questions you have and shine some light on the lives of NSBE leaders. This year, I challenge you to RISE and participate in NSBE leadership! Contact an officer, talk with him or her, and maybe even ask to shadow the officer at a conference! We’re all open to helping you and NSBE succeed. ■ • winter 2009 www.nsbe.org

NSBE - Winter 2009/2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NSBE - Winter 2009/2010