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| SPOTLIGHT ON STUDENT LIFE :: Black Engineers Association |
Black Engineers AssociationLaduan Smedley, president of the Black Engineers Association (BEA) and a senior biomedical engineering major, says the BEA is open to all undergraduates and new members are always welcome. BEA, a chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, meets weekly on Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30 p.m., 115 Hutchison and also holds weekly study jams, 5:00-10:00 p.m., Surve IV. Members especially look forward to the annual National Society of Black Engineers conference. The conference, which attracts attendees from around the country, is held during spring break and features career fairs, workshops, and a chance to network with students and professionals from around the world. In addition to the national conference, BEA members also participate in UC Davis' Black Family Day, Picnic Day and additional spring-quarter outreach events. "I joined BEA," says Smedley, "because one of the officers my freshman year was a biomedical engineer major, like me, and she told me how helpful BEA was for her and encouraged me to not only come to meetings but also become an active member of BEA as well. I've benefited from BEA tremendously: BEA helped me find an internship at the UC Davis Medical Center, has helped me save money by having a book exchange with people who have taken the same classes as me in previous years, and helped me with my résumé and building leadership skills. Most of all, I made a lot of close friends along the way as well." |