NSBE - Convention 2011 - (Page 9)

From the ExecutiveDirector Flipping the Script on Retention By Amber Spears Guest Writer A fter reading the article in The Michigan Daily where I was quoted saying that I was moved to tears during Dr. Carl Mack’s speech, I can only imagine how many people think I am emotional or that my tears were a little too much for the occasion. Since I do not care much about what people think, I would like to say, YES!, I was in an emotional state while Dr. Carl Mack was speaking, because I really feel that there should be a greater representation of minorities on campus, particularly those who look like me. I want to see African Americans here at the University of Michigan getting a degree in engineering or getting a degree, period. It is just my nature to feel strongly about this, because when I think of African Americans I think of my family: my mother, father, brothers, sisters, cousins. And surely they deserve the same opportunities as anyone else. I was not expecting Dr. Mack to give the speech he gave. It is always a gift when someone cares about you enough to keep it real with you. I thought he was going to build us up with phrases like “dream big” and “pursue your goals,” and instead he gave us the ugly reality of low retention rates. This was just what we needed. I will admit that initially I did not think the NSBE Retention Program was as important as he emphasized it to be, but I was wrong. There are days when I doubt myself as a student at the University of Michigan, as an engineer. Because classes are only getting harder, and I am studying more, but unfortunately that doesn’t exactly guarantee a better grade. The difference is that after I am done crying, complaining and looking at the terrible grade I just got on my exam, I know that it is just one exam, that there may be more like that and that I cannot let that stop me from doing what I came here to do. I also have my NSBE fam who can relate and who are there for me when I need the encouragement, help with homework, and laughs. As part of our cultural responsibility, we should if not want to help people, help people when we can out of an obligation. Sure, we are not going to flip the retention rates of freshmen on the campus of the University of Michigan in one semester. But if we start now, perhaps the trend will continue, and someone else will take the responsibility when we leave. So that 10 years from now, the rates will have flipped. Another thing that hit me hard is the fact that he challenged us to be Chapter of the Year. We want Chapter of the Year because we want to show everyone else just how successful we can be when we commit ourselves to a goal as a team and lean on each other to accomplish this common goal. We contribute more and more to achieving this goal when we: help a freshman in the retention program, attend a general body Amber spears of NsBe’s University of Michigan – Ann Arbor chapter with NsBe executive Director carl B. Mack “…We are not going to flip the retention rates of freshmen on the campus of the University of Michigan in one semester. But if we start now, perhaps the trend will continue.” meeting, tell a friend about NSBE and our mission, volunteer to do community service, contact a corporate sponsor, read the NSBE newsletter, support a NSBE family member and, most important, make sure we are taking care of the business we came to do at the University of Michigan. So let’s do it. Why not? Amber Spears is a member of NSBE’s University of Michigan – Ann Arbor Chapter. nsbe magazine • convention 2011 • 9 www.nsbe.org http://www.nsbe.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NSBE - Convention 2011

Nsbe - Convention 2011
Contents
The Essence of Engineering
Flipping the Script on Retention
Nsbe’s New High-Tech Hook-Ups!
The Programs Zone
David Anfield of Walmart
Kerry Nichols of NAVAIR
Arthur Hall of Philadelphia Gas Works
Kevin Engram of Illinois Tool Works
Dr. Kevin M. Carter of MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Nsbe Calendar
Membership News
Mack Named Clarkson University Trustee
National Advisory Board Update
Nsbe Honors a Diversity ‘champion’
Things to Do in St. Louis
Golden Torch Award Winners
NSBE’s Steve Earl: Building for Home and Community
Employer Profiles
Advertisers Index

NSBE - Convention 2011