About NSBE

Our History

In 1975, NSBE was founded by two Purdue University students hoping to combat the 80% of black freshman dropping out of the school's engineering program. NSBE is one of the largest student-governed organizations in the U.S. and helps improve the recruitment and retention of Black engineering students across the country. NSBE-UCSB is the premier organization for Black students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) majors at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Our mission is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers and scientists who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.

NSBE-UCSB is a member of the national organization with affiliation to Region Six. Through the support of the national organization, UCSB MESA Program, UCSB Office of Education Partnerships, the UCSB College of Engineering, and corporate sponsorship, NSBE-UCSB upholds our mission statement as well as the national directives. NSBE’s UCSB chapter not only supports Black students in the STEM fields but also promotes STEM to pre-college students.