WELCOME

Welcome to the Black Engineering and Science Student Association (BESSA) website! We are the University of California, Berkeley chapter of our parent organization, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and was founded in 1968.

​Our mission statement is:
​
To increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers and scientists who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.

DONATE

---

ABOUT US

​The Black Engineering and Science Student Association, also known as BESSA, is the University of California, Berkeley chapter for our parent organization the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). We are a student run, non-profit organization that thrives on its members support, success, and commitment. We diligently work to provide academic and social support not only to our engineering and science community but to the entire black community. In addition, we happily coordinate programs during the year to integrate our greater Bay Area community. Through these events, we are able to form and foster relationships that bridge the gap between the prestigious university and our close-but-distant community. This organization is a strong believer in academic excellence, personal growth, and a commitment to minority communities in and out of the classroom.


Our Objectives:

• Retain, support, and increase the number of black students within the College of Engineering (COE) as well as other science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.
• Introduce and develop the professional skills needed to succeed in the professional field.
• Cultivate a network between students, professionals, and companies. 
• Give our greater community access to our resources for support in areas that are lacking. ​​

---

OVERVIEW

BESSA Meetings 

This year, BESSA is focused on academic and professional development so we have decided to launch a tutoring program, increase study jams, and foster more corporate collaboration. Although subject to change, the semester's meeting breakdown is as follows:  

• Weekly Study Jams 
• 10+ company info-session
• 5 General Body Meetings/Socials

This is apart of our initiative to focus on retention this year. If you are interested, read over goals and focuses of the year. 

Become a NSBE Member 

The National Society of Black Engineers is the parent organization of BESSA. By being a member of NSBE you have access to all their resources including their annual conferences.  Sign-up for just $15. 

JOIN NSBE

DEAR Alumni: A note to you. 

BESSA is trying to develop an active alumni database. We hope to eventually have a working site for students and alumni to communicate and connect. If you would like to be apart of this project, please fill out our Alumni Contact Form.

FoRM