Detroit senior Tor Vinson is dedicated to expanding that list of networking opportunities for black engineering students, as president and founder of Central Michigan University’s chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers.

“It is a great organization because it allows for multicultural individuals to learn about engineering and succeed as professionals,” Vinson said.

According to an American Community Survey Reports study, black university graduates have been consistently underrepresented in STEM employment. In 2011, 11 percent of the workforce was Black, while 6 percent of Science Technology Engineering Mathmatics workers were Black.

Blacks make up 10 percent of the total American workforce, making them underrepresented in STEM fields. Meanwhile, Whites made up 70 percent of the STEM jobs, despite consisting of 66 percent of the total workforce.

NSBE’s advisor on campus, Marceil Davis, is proud to contribute to the organization. Davis believes it is paramount that students know they have a support group.

“Students here should know they have support, and not feel that they are the only (minority) in this class," Davis said. "They should know there is some camaraderie to help them get through."

Some of the NSBE’s goals are stimulating and developing student interest in the various engineering disciplines, as well as increasing the number of minority students studying engineering at both undergraduate and graduate levels.

According to 2010 data from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Census Bureau, underrepresented minorities earned 18.6 percent of total undergraduate degrees from 4-year colleges. Hoever, only 16.4 percent of the degrees were in science fields and less than 13 percent of degrees were in physical sciences and engineering.

Davis believes the organization serves an important function for helping black students become successful in STEM departments.

Black Americans have always played a primary role in advancement and education, Davis said, referencing readers such as Benjamin Banneker and Booker T. Washington. The NSBE offers networking opportunities students may not have otherwise had.

“The name NSBE carries a lot of weight. It makes students more marketable,” Davis said. “I wish I had this as a student. (Students should) take advantage of it.”

Vinson said he always wanted to become an engineer, and became involved with NSBE through his sister, a member of the chapter at the University of Michigan. He became an active member before coming the CMU, participating in a four-week Summer Engineering Experience for Kids Program that exposed underprivileged children to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“(My sister) encouraged me, and I knew I wanted to start the RSO here at CMU to benefit the students and the engineering department,” Vinson said.

He is satisfied to have founded CMU’s chapter of NSBE, and said his vision for the organization’s future is to.

"Engineering does get tough, but with a program like this we can provide support," he said.

The National Society for Black Engineers meets on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in the Institution of Engineering and Technology Building. Davis encourages all students to come.

“It doesn't just have to be black students; any one can join," he said. "This is for students to network and build that development.”