The TL;DR
- A vibrant array of STEM-focused, student-led clubs and organizations are available to all NYU Tandon School of Engineering students.
- Tandon clubs offer students from diverse backgrounds a place to connect, collaborate, and support one another.
- These STEM-focused groups play a crucial role in creating a more inclusive generation of future STEM leaders.
In recent years there has been a growing emphasis on diversifying the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). At NYU Tandon School of Engineering, this isn’t just talk. In fact, it’s embodied through a vibrant array of student-led clubs and organizations. These groups serve as vital hubs for students from diverse backgrounds to connect, collaborate, and thrive in STEM fields.
Connecting over Common Heritage
The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) provides a support network for Black students navigating the challenges of STEM. Members can bond during field days, galas, and giveaways of Black-owned self-care products. Career panels and company visits encourage professional growth. The group also makes a difference in the community through park clean-ups, charity walks, and a high school outreach program.
Joy Sure is a senior Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering major and the group’s president. “One memorable moment was the National Convention in 2022, where I saw how impactful the organization is in students’ professional development and trajectory,” says Joy. She witnessed students receive full-time job offers and internships at top companies. “Everyone celebrated each other’s victories as if they were their own.”
Similarly, the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE) is dedicated to supporting Asian students in STEM. SASE provides a platform to form friendships and engage in professional development. Hispanic students can connect through the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). The group hosts professional and social events, from job workshops and resume reviews to salsa and trivia nights.
“Having a group of students like myself to share experiences with and grow together at NYU has been truly priceless,” says the SHPE president and senior Computer Science major Jay Mercado. Many SHPE members are first-generation Americans and college students. “Our unique perspectives, attitudes, and work ethic are at the forefront of breaking stereotypes and provoking change in the STEM field,” Jay says.
Creating Safe Spaces
In addition, there are identity groups championing gender and sexual diversity in STEM. The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) offers a supportive community for women pursuing careers in traditionally male-dominated fields. With mentorship programs and professional development events, SWE empowers its members to break barriers and excel.
Similarly, out in STEM (oSTEM) provides support and resources for LGBTQ+ individuals to thrive authentically. Through workshops and social gatherings, the group creates a space where members can network, share experiences, and advocate for LGBTQ+ visibility and representation in STEM fields.
Representation Matters
Diverse perspectives foster innovation and equitable solutions to complex problems.
“Creating representation is particularly crucial in STEM, as students graduating from these degrees will be trailblazers contributing to technological advancements and decisions that will shape societies worldwide,” says Joy, who points out that fewer than 5 percent of US engineers are Black.
Another NSBE member, Hanna Gebremichael, is a first-generation college student. As a woman majoring in biomedical engineering who plans to be a doctor, she has overcome challenges navigating two fields where a small number of people look like her.
“Without seeing people who look like you in the spaces you hope to one day occupy, it’s almost impossible to think that you can accomplish what you’ve set out to do,” says Hanna. “NSBE has shown me that there are people who look like me making huge strides in science and technology and has motivated me to continue paving my own path and being the representation I want to see more of.”
By providing platforms for students from diverse backgrounds to connect, collaborate, and support each other, clubs at Tandon play a crucial role in creating a more inclusive generation of future STEM leaders.
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