The Society of Black Scientists and Engineers (SBSE), a student-run organization, is a chartered member of the organization known as the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). Nationally, the organization boasts of over 260 chapters and over 13,000 members, making it the largest student organization in the country. SBSE, which was chartered in 1973 by Professor Clayton Bates and a few Stanford University graduate students, is dedicated to fulfilling the mission of NSBE which is to increase the number of Black engineers and scientists who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.

SBSE has continued a long tradition of programs on Stanford University’s campus geared towards the successful recruitment, retention, and graduation of talented and enthusiastic Black scientists and engineers. Some of these programs, which will later be described in detail, include college tutorial sessions, engineering and science incentive programs, weekly corporate presentations, Pre-College Initiative (PCI) outreach programs, and summer and permanent technical placement programs.

  SBSE is primarily concerned with supporting the interests of Blacks and other minorities traditionally underrepresented in science and engineering professions on the Stanford University campus. Therefore, we strongly encourage and target minority students. However, all Stanford science and engineering students are invited to participate in all of our activities. For this reason, SBSE benefits everyone involved with science and engineering, students as well as the companies recruiting those students. SBSE hopes to continue its programs placing emphasis on the support and development of Black scientists and engineers. With this objective in mind we have developed a long-range plan, which will be used to structure our yearly programming. The plan relates our hopes for a better SBSE through cultural, financial, and academic achievement.