Our Mission

The objectives of BGESS are to recruit new graduate students of African Heritage; to provide them with support while they complete the requirements for Masters and Doctoral degrees; and through persistent efforts, to influence departments and programs of Engineering, Natural, and Physical Sciences toward the awarding of tenured faculty positions to outstanding professionals of African Heritage.

History

BGESS was founded in 1987 by a group of African American graduate students enrolled at UC Berkeley. Since its inception, the group has dedicated itself to the nurturing of academic and social support systems for students of African Heritage, whose contributions to the fields of Graduate Engineering, Natural and Physical Sciences have been historically underrepresented or denied.

Meetings

BGESS holds bi-weekly meetings during both the fall and spring semesters. Typically they are on Monday nights from 6-8pm and feature guest speakers, presentations of fellow students' research, topical group discussions, and social activities. Food is always provided for all that attend and friends, family, and visitors are always welcome. Meetings provide both a means of fellowship and community building for members and are a key component of BGESS' activities.

For Spring 2008:

Where: Hogan Room, Cory Hall (5th floor)

When: Every other Monday starting February 11th. Meetings are 6-8pm