NSBE GREENBELT SPACE CHAPTER (NSBE GSC)

The NSBE Greenbelt Space Chapter was founded in September 2004 by Damon Bradley, an Electrical Engineer at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). GSFC is one of the United States federal government National Aeronautics and Space Administration centers located throughout the US. Goddard Space Flight Center is located in Greenbelt, Maryland.  Goddard is home to scientists, engineers, technicians, managers, and  the necessary financial and administrative staff to support the Earth science, space science, and exploration projects.

Damon was very active in the student chapter of NSBE during his undergraduate studies in Pennsylvania.  Through this experience, Damon learned firsthand the importance, significance, and impact of the NSBE organization. This prompted him to begin the NSBE-GSC during his second year of employment.

NSBE ALUMNI EXTENSION

Since 1975, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) has become one of the largest student-run organizations in the world. The formation of the National Society of Black Engineers-Alumni Extension (NSBE-AE) dates back to 1980, when NSBE alumni presented a proposal to the NSBE student membership to include an alumni sector in the organization. Although the Alumni Extension (AE) was not accepted at that time, the effort initiated a multi-year process to create NSBE-AE.

A revised proposal reflecting the origins of the current alumni infrastructure was developed in 1984, and formalized in 1985. At the 1985 NSBE national conference, the NSBE membership approved the formation of an Alumni Task Force. They were assembled to design NSBE-AE by the 1988 NSBE national conference. During this three-year period, the views of NSBE students and alumni from across the nation were articulated, leading to the derivation of the NSBE-AE Operating Guidelines. In March 1988, at the 14th Annual National NSBE Convention, the NSBE membership approved the proposal to include the Alumni Extension as an operating entity of the National Society of Black Engineers.

During the 1988-89 year, the AE focused on redefining their Operating Guidelines and developing regional infrastructures in accordance with these guidelines. This effort marked the final steps in the formation of the Alumni Extension.

The addition of the Alumni Extension to the overall NSBE structure not only promotes participation and input from the professional engineering community, but also provides a mechanism for NSBE graduating seniors to continue their involvement with the organization.

The purpose of the Alumni Extension is to support NSBE in a way that: