National Society of Black Engineers: Region 5

Krystle Carr is a May graduate from Iowa State University and has been a NSBE member for 5 years. She holds degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Music and is currently a Systems Engineer at the Boeing Company. She has served in NSBE leadership in various positions on the Chapter, Regional, and National levels. NSBE is not only her passion, but also a life motivator.

Hello Region 5

My name is Brittany Williams and I am a 4th year Electrical Engineering student at the University of Texas at Austin (Hook ‘em Horns!). I was born in Beaumont, Texas and raised in Houston, Texas. I have been a member of NSBE ever since my freshman year in college; and have served as the Community Service Chair (2005-2006) and Vice-Chair (2006-2007) of the UT-Austin Chapter. I am also a member of Student Engineers Educating Kids (SEEK) and the Epsilon Beta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated; and I serve as a mentor for freshman electrical engineering students. I enjoy sleeping, eating, and doing anything that is fun. I look forward to this upcoming year and hope that you all do too!

Mitchell McCradic was born in Dallas, TX on October 15, 1984 to Mitchell McCradic, Sr and Donna McCradic. He went to school and grew up in DeSoto, TX. In high school, he was active in National Honor Society and played on the varsity soccer team. He now attends The University of Texas at Austin where he studies Mechanical Engineering. He has served as treasurer and as president of his campus's NSBE chapter. Mitchell has also completed internships with General Motors and El Paso Corporation. He is currently serving as the Regional Programs Chair. Mitchell enjoys playing soccer, watching movies, and traveling in his leisure.

Derrick was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He experience culture shock when he went to China and hopes that a visit to Africa will have the same effect on him. He's very passionate about technology and likes to stay up to date on the latest tech news and information. He would like to be a part of a large technology company where he can expand his knowledge and solve tough problems. Until then, he's going to continue staying young and being active.

Bio: Lionel J. Philip – Region V PCI Chair

Lionel Joseph Philip, 2007 – 2008 Region V PCI Chair, is a senior Mechanical Engineering major attending the great University of Prairie View A&M, in Prairie View, TX near Houston. Lionel is from the city of Houston, Texas by way of Jacksonville, Florida. Lionel has worked as a math tutor through out his early college years at Prairie View A&M and is currently working for Lockheed Martin part-time during the school semester and has two internships for Caterpillar Inc. during his summers as an Associate Mechanical Engineer. Lionel is very excited about the up coming year and wished for success of the PCI program to increase the number of NSBE Junior chapters and Pre-College student entering college and major in the STEM fields of study over his 2007 - 2008 reign.

Greetings Region V!! My name is Celia Mimms. I am currently a senior at the University of Iowa, where I study Industrial Engineering. This academic year I will serve NSBE Region V as the Missouri Zone Assistant Vice-Chairperson as well as the Chapter Chair for the University of Iowa’s Chapter. Over the past 3 years NSBE has provided me with great leadership opportunities within my chapter. I have served my chapter as a devoted member as well as secretary and vice-chairperson in the past. However, this year I have decided to expand my experience with NSBE as a Regional Board member. I have a few plans for my region to make us better is many areas and I hope to achieve them this year.

Hello to my Vanguard Region!

I would like to give all of you a chance to learn more about me.  I
am originally from Oklahoma City, OK and currently attend Prairie View
A&M University.  I will be graduating in December 2008 with a degree
in Mechanical Engineering. I would like to encourage all of you to get
involved with NSBE as much as possible and take advantage of all the
programs and leadership opportunities NSBE has to offer.  As your
2007-2008 Charter Membership Chair I would like to see our region
become the most active.  If you have any questions for me regarding
NSBE or just want some advice or motivation to get you through your
engineering program, e-mail me.

Marlon R. Smith

NSBE Bio for Judith Udeke

Judith Udeke is serving on the Region V Executive board as the 2007/08 regional International Chair. She is a Chemical Engineering Senior at Louisiana State University (LSU), and has been a NSBE member for three years. In that time she has served two terms as the LSU Chapter Academic Excellence Chair, and she is in currently in her second year of serving as a NSBE International Ambassador to Nigeria. She is also the 2007/08 Chapter Chair for the LSU chapter of NSBE. She is a member of a number of honor societies including Tau Beta Pi; the engineering honor society, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars where she served on the 2006/07 National Leadership Council, and mortar board. Judith enjoys keeping busy, and when she is not taking care of her three year old son, she occupies her time helping other students succeed through various student leadership positions as well as tutoring and mentoring activities organized by the Minority Engineering Program at LSU and student organizations she belongs to.

She is driven by her desire to inspire students all over the world to make the best of their education. Upon graduation from LSU Judith hopes to work for two years as a Teach For America Corp, and contribute to the field of chemical engineering through working in the energy industry, doing energy related research, and later getting involved in energy policy making.

Judith enjoys reading, playing tennis and dancing in her leisure.

Hello Region V! My name is Jamere Clark and I attend the University of Iowa. I will be entering my senior year and a half in the Fall. My area of study is Civil Engineering. I look forward to paving those roads and building those bridges in when I graduate from school. This year, I am happy to serve on the REB as your Finance Chairperson!

Howdy Region 5,

My name is Shameika Ansley, and I am a Chemical Engineering major. I attend school at Texas A&M University, where I am currently a junior and the proudest member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of '09. I was born and raised in Dallas TX, where I graduated high school from Science and Engineering Magnet, which is now the number 2 high school in the nation according to US Weekly. I take pride in everything I do whether it is my school, my religion, my organizations, my race, or my opinions. In the beastly chapter of NSBE at TAMU, I am the Vice-Chairperson. I also used to be a member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band, Corps of Cadets, Freshmen Leadership Development Retreat Staff, and Voices of Praise Gospel Choir. Now, besides NSBE, I am in Women's Chorus which afforded me a trip to China. I like to travel, and volunteer. So every time there's a chance to travel, whether it is a football game or just visiting friends and families I take it. And whenever there's a chance to volunteer on campus, I make my schedule work, so that I am able to be there. With all of that said, I love having fun, so join me to make your NSBE experience better than before.

My name is Lindsay Short and I am a Junior in Electrical Engineering. I am originally from Chicago, IL but I attend Iowa State University. As this year's regional treasurer, I am responsible for managing and balancing the budget for the region. Some of my goals for this year are to increase the amount of funds for chapter relief and to maintain a good flow of communication with our membership. I hope that we can provide any help and advice necessary for the membership and I look forward to success for Region V during the 2007-08 year.

Greetings Region V!!!  My name is Francesca Love, and I am your Region
V Secretary for the 2007-2008 academic year.  I am a senior civil
engineering student at Louisiana Tech University; however, I am from
the great state of Texas.  I was raised in a small town in Northeast
Texas called Bivins.  When I am not busy doing activities with NSBE, I
cheer for the Bulldogs of LA Tech on the small coed squad.  I enjoy
working out, listening to music, and being around friends and family.
I am also an active member of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and
the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).  NSBE has become an
organization that I am very proud to be a member and leader of because
it has helped me excel academically; it will also aid me in succeeding
professionally and I have helped to make a positive impact on the
community.

Francesca Love

Aurelia Briscoe is a 20 year old native of Houston, TX. She attends the University of Texas at Austin where she is pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Chemical Engineering along with a Business Foundations Certificate. She became involved with NSBE at the tender age of 13 where she was a member of the NSBE Jr. Chapter at the High School for Engineering Professions located on the campus of Booker T. Washington. Aurelia has previously held leadership positions in NSBE including a term as Regional PCI Chair and Programs Chair of her chapter. While she is actively involved in NSBE she also participates in many other activities on campus and in her community including Black Student Advisory Committee, Black Essence Awards Programs Chair, Black Student Lock-In Committee, and various community service projects throughout the year. She is also an employee of the University of Texas at Austin where she works in the Freshman Admissions Center and Athletic Recruitment. Aurelia enjoys hanging out with friends, reading, SHOPPING, and helping others succeed.

Greetings to the OH SO LIVE Region V,

My name is Paul Nguyen and I am thrilled to serve as your 2007 Fall Regional Conference (FRC) Planning Chairperson. I am an incoming sophomore in Biological Engineering at Louisiana State University and I will be entering my fifth year as a NSBE member. As your FRC Chair, it is my duty to plan and implement the Fall Regional Conference along with your 2007 Conference Planning Committee.

My goals for this year are to plan provide a new experience to the membership through exciting workshops and speakers, more incentives to chapters to attend FRC, and increasing program participation at FRC. As the 2007 FRC Theme states, I want our Region to work towards “Fueling the Mission to Ignite the Torch: Engineering in Action.” As always, if you have questions or concerns at any time, please feel free to contact me at r5frcchair@board.nsbe.org.

NSBE 5 DEEP,

Paul Nguyen

2007 Fall Regional Conference Chair

Zakiyyah Muhammad is a graduating senior in Computer Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin. After graduation in August 2007, Zakiyyah will be joining IBM as a Software Engineer in Raleigh, NC where she will be involved with their WebSphere Portal group.

Zakiyyah is a first generation American, born in Philadelphia, and raised in Port Arthur, Texas. She has been involved with NSBE since 1995 and has gained most of her leadership and professional development through NSBE. In addition, Zakiyyah is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and SEEK, Student Engineers Educating Kids. She has held numerous leadership positions in all of these organizations. She is passionate about community involvement, and helping others to realize and reach their full potential.

Zakiyyah is very excited about serving as the Regional Leadership Conference chair and looks forward to watching NSBE continue to grow as a dynamic force in communities, universities, and corporate America.

Akin Arikawe is a Senior Computer Systems Engineering major and a Mathematics minor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. Akin hails from the “natural state” of Arkansas. Akin is currently serving as the 2007 Region V Chairperson, and is working towards his regional goal of “Revitalizing the Future, by Renovating the Present”.

Shaney Jackson is third year Industrial Engineering student at Louisiana Tech University. She is originally from New Orleans, LA. She loves to read, make computer designs, hanging out with friends, and mostly, loves NSBE. Shaney is also part of the color guard of the LA Tech Band of Pride, a member of SWE, IIE, and AWS. Her main goal this year is to aid the region with exciting newsletters, flyers, news press releases, publications advice, and anything else the chapters may need. She's always willing to listen and talk to anyone. If you see her around, don't be afraid to simply say hello and introduce yourself.