Virginia State University Students Earn Top Honors And Career Opportunities At National NSBE Convention

From first-place wins to job offers, VSU students made a Greater impact at one of the nation’s largest gatherings of Black engineers and STEM talent.

Virginia State University’s Department of Engineering and Technology sent 51 students to showcase “Greater” on a national stage at this year’s National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Annual Convention in Baltimore.

The NSBE Annual Convention is regarded as one of the largest gatherings of Black engineers and STEM students in the world, drawing more than 16,000 attendees in 2026 and featuring approximately 200 companies, including industry leaders such as NVIDIA, Apple, and Microsoft.

Held March 18–22, the convention provided VSU students with valuable opportunities for networking, professional development, and exposure to cutting-edge engineering innovations, all while representing the University with distinction. The Career Fair proved especially impactful, with 70% of attending VSU students reporting they secured post-convention interviews, internships, or full-time job offers. “The most valuable part of the NSBE 2026 Convention was networking with companies and meeting students from different universities,” said Jerry Rogers Jr., a senior computer science major. “I also found the Career Fair and pre-career support services very helpful, including mock interviews, professional photos, resume reviews, and resume printing.”

VSU students also earned top honors during the convention. Tory’elle Coleman and Samantha Collins won first place in the National Speech & Debate Competition, defeating an Ivy League institution in the process. Emanuel Wright, president of the VSU NSBE chapter, received the Region II “Igniting Leadership at Every Level” Award and the Edward E. Barnett Scholarship. Additionally, VSU NSBE President Emeritus Nicolas Pollard was re-elected as National Communications Chairperson.
“The NSBE Convention provided our students with opportunities to engage with industry professionals, pursue internships and full-time employment, and compete in events that demonstrate that ‘Greater Happens Here,’” said Stephanie Wheeler, Director of External and Industry Engagement for the College of Engineering and Technology and a trip advisor.

Founded in 1975, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) is one of the largest student-governed organizations in the United States, with more than 25,000 members and over 700 chapters worldwide. NSBE supports and promotes the aspirations of students and professionals in engineering and technology.

Virginia State University remains committed to supporting student success through participation in NSBE and similar opportunities, ensuring continued pathways for growth, networking, and professional advancement in STEM fields.