header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
April 3
1917 - Castaic post office established inside Sam Parson's general store [story]
General Store


noralwalkerCalifornia State University, Northridge student Noral Walker wants engineering to be a household name within the African-American community.

Before graduating in May with a bachelor’s in engineering, Walker was elected to the 2015–2016 national executive board of the National Society of Black Engineers, an organization dedicated to fostering and supporting African-American engineers on pre-collegiate, collegiate and professional levels in the United States and internationally. He was appointed National Programs Chair in March after serving two years as the NSBE Pre-College Initiative Chair at regional and national levels.

Now a graduate student in structural engineering, Walker said the NSBE’s mission statement, “to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community,” resonates with him.

“In every single engineering class I’ve taken at CSUN, I was the only African-American student,” Walker said. “There were black students from other countries, but I was the only American one.”

Walker is determined to change that.

Shortly after enrolling at CSUN in 2009, Walker joined NSBE and surrounded himself with black engineering professionals and mentors. Seeing how NSBE could help support and grow the number of African-American engineering students, Walker re-started a NSBE chapter on campus while serving as the regional pre-collegiate chair.

NSBE connects with schools and communities across the nation to provide programming for elementary, junior high and high school students. The organization sponsored 17 Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK) camps this year in 16 cities across the country, fostering interest in engineering for almost 4,000 students at no cost to their families.

Walker said these programs could help inspire more African Americans to become engineers, which isn’t a field that African-American youth typically desire.

“At first, it doesn’t seem like a very attractive subject or career to get into because the kids think it’s boring, since they need science and math for engineering,” Walker said. “But with the summer camps, we asked the parents toward the end of the day if they saw a difference in their child, and they said their kids were now interested and excited.

“Some communities we go to are struggling. You see how some people live, you see their quality of life and you look at the possibilities of engineering and how that could enhance their quality of life. It’s really about growing the black experience.”

As national programs chair, Walker said he is working to increase the engagement of NSBE’s professional demographic with its pre-collegiate and collegiate demographic. He said it is important to provide that kind of mentorship.

Walker said he hopes the lack of diversity in engineering at the student and faculty level will change with the help of NSBE, and a push by universities to engage African-American students. The organization has an initiative to help graduate 10,000 African-American students with engineering degrees from 2025 on. NSBE is also working with the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, the American Indian Science and Engineering Society and the Society of Women Engineers to graduate 50,000 engineers total among the different groups within the same period of time.

“There is a unified effort to grow engineering from so many different fronts,” Walker said. “It’s exciting and challenging. Ten years is a very long time, but when it gets here we’re going to feel like we started yesterday. So many things could come up, so many twists and turns, unforeseen changes, but we can do it as long as we maintain this process without losing sight of the goal.”

Looking toward his own future, Walker is deciding between pursuing a Ph.D in engineering or working for a corporation developing blast-resistant structural design. Walker said he may or may not pursue teaching, but he knows that whatever he does, he will continue to mentor African-American engineers.

“Mentoring is something you automatically do in NSBE, and it’s something I’ll be doing until I’m too old to talk,” Walker said.

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

9 Comments

  1. A young man with an awesome dream; “Walker wants engineering to be a household name within the African-American community”

  2. Brian Wood says:

    Why is there a Black Engineers Society? Would CSUN allow a White Engineers Society? Let’s just celebrate people’s achievements without bringing race into it… He’s a smart guy who wants to succeed. Excellent!

    • so…. you’re saying you comment without reading the story. …….. “NSBE connects with schools and communities across the nation to provide programming for elementary, junior high and high school students. The organization sponsored 17 Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK) camps this year in 16 cities across the country, fostering interest in engineering for almost 4,000 students at no cost to their families.
      “Walker said these programs could help inspire more African Americans to become engineers, which isn’t a field that African-American youth typically desire.”

    • Brian Wood says:

      I did read the story — and I still take exception to organizations that promote (even if just in name) one race in particular. CSUN also has the “Black Student Union,” “Black Graduation Club,” “Latino Journalists Club,” and “Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.” Change those labels to “white” and you have an uproar. I’m glad that NSBE is helping students across the nation, but the focus on race is unsettling when we’re trying so hard to reduce perceived racism!

    • It doesn’t sound like you were born and raised in a ghetto, so it probably stands to reason that you don’t get it. If Northridge had a big concentration of disadvantaged, low-income, inner-city white neighborhoods, we might see organizations designed specifically to give white students a chance at a better life. Until that happens…

    • Jose Franco says:

      Brian Wood Have you checked the diversity numbers from major tech companies like Google or Apple, Facebook or Twitter? Do you know the percentage of minorities in newsrooms across the country? Groups like those are absolutely needed. You seem threatened by it.

    • There are some white groups at CSUN, BTW .They’re called the golf team, the tennis team ….. used to be the Engineering Department until people like this guy came along and tried to do something positive, only to be criticized by Facebookers who wouldn’t dare say the same things to someone’s face that they say on Facebook.

    • Brian Wood says:

      Jose Franco, not threatened at all. Just recognizing that racial equality doesn’t come about until you stop making race an issue. And yes, I’ve seen diversity numbers in a variety of areas and have seen diversity programs fail because the focus on the wrong things (e.g., skin color instead of abilities and aptitude).

      As to the SCVTV Santa Clarita responder (hiding anonymously behind your FB ID), I’m using my real name and open to discussion with anyone who cares to discuss (in person or via some forum). At least I’m not representing my organization badly by making sarcastic responses to viewers posts… Re-read my post and realize I was in NO way criticizing this individual (I think it’s great that he seems to be on his way to do some great things), I’m just taking exception to the double standard with regards to the institution. Relax.

  3. Black Engineers board ?????

Leave a Comment


HIGHER EDUCATION LINKS
LOCAL COLLEGE HEADLINES
Wednesday, Apr 2, 2025
The ability to put nutritious food on the table is one of the most important and pressing matters that low-income families face daily. 
Wednesday, Apr 2, 2025
The College of the Canyons Foundation will host its third annual 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament from 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday, April 27, in the college’s West P.E. (WPEK) gymnasium, located on the Valencia campus.
Wednesday, Apr 2, 2025
When Abraham Martinez-Peña enrolled at California State University, Northridge as a film major, he knew the path he set out for himself — to be a professional comedy writer for film and television — would not be an easy one. Hollywood’s hiring reputation was more “who you know,” than “what you can do.”
Wednesday, Apr 2, 2025
Members of the public and the campus community at California State University, Northridge will get a chance to test-drive the latest in electric vehicles on Wednesday, April 9, at CSUN’s Institute for Sustainability’s fourth annual EV Car Show.
Thursday, Mar 27, 2025
Science Talks and College of the Canyons Canyon Country Campus will present the Star Party and Science Showcase, 6:30-10 p.m. Friday, April 25.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1917 - Castaic post office established inside Sam Parson's general store [story]
General Store
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, a nationwide initiative that highlights the dangers of distracted driving and promotes safer driving habits.
Statewide Maximum Enforcement Period Launches Month-long Effort to Curb Driving Behaviors
One of the things that makes the city of Santa Clarita such a great place to live, work and play, is the wide range of amenities we offer our community.
Ken Striplin | A Library Without Walls for a City Without Limits
Los Angeles Health Services has released its 2024 Annual Report, showcasing a year of exemplary achievements in patient care, innovation, and community health.
Los Angeles Department of Health Services Releases 2024 Annual Report Underscores Year of Growth, Innovation and World Class Care
The ability to put nutritious food on the table is one of the most important and pressing matters that low-income families face daily. 
CSUN Family Kitchen Project Gives Food Coupons to Families During Summer
American Sports Entertainment Company and the LA Kings, collectively referred to as JV Ice at The Cube, are seeking proposals to license restaurant and bar space at The Cube – Ice and Entertainment Center, powered by FivePoint Valencia.
The Cube – Ice and Entertainment Center Seeks Restaurant Partner
The College of the Canyons Foundation will host its third annual 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament from 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday, April 27, in the college’s West P.E. (WPEK) gymnasium, located on the Valencia campus.
April 27: COC Foundation to Host Third Annual 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament
The LA County Arts Internship Program will invest over $1.6 million to fund 228 university and community college internships, providing students with paid on-the-job experience in the arts and creative sector at over 170 nonprofit organizations starting this summer. Applications for interested students are open now.
Nation’s Largest Paid Summer Arts Intership Program Opens For L.A. County College Students
SCV Water received three prestigious awards from the California Association of Public Information Officials at an awards luncheon on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
SCV Water Wins Three Awards For Communications Initiatives in 2024
When Abraham Martinez-Peña enrolled at California State University, Northridge as a film major, he knew the path he set out for himself — to be a professional comedy writer for film and television — would not be an easy one. Hollywood’s hiring reputation was more “who you know,” than “what you can do.”
CSUN Alum Develops Mentorship Program for Aspiring Comedy Writers
After a nine-month process pursuant to requirements set forth in California’s Proposition 218, the SCV Water Board of Directors concluded its rate study and voted to implement proposed rate changes following a public hearing on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
SCV Water Board of Directors Approves Rate Changes
Members of the public and the campus community at California State University, Northridge will get a chance to test-drive the latest in electric vehicles on Wednesday, April 9, at CSUN’s Institute for Sustainability’s fourth annual EV Car Show.
April 9: CSUN to Host Fourth Annual Electric Car Show
1910 - Filming of D.W. Griffith's "Ramona" with Mary Pickford - first known movie shot in SCV - wraps after 2 days at Rancho Camulos [story]
Ramona Movie
Samuel Dixon Family Health Center, Inc. has announced the receipt of a $50,000 Community Health Improvement Grant from Dignity Health - Northridge Hospital to fund expanded mental health services for youth in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Dixon Family Health Receives $50K Grant for Youth Mental Health
Time is running out to pre-register for the annual city of Santa Clarita Neighborhood Cleanup in celebration of Earth Day, scheduled for Saturday, April 19.
April 19: 2025 Neighborhood Cleanup, Register Now
The Saugus Union School District Asset Management Committee will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, April 2, 6:30 p.m. at the Saugus Union School District Office.
April 2: SUSD Asset Management Committee  to Discuss Recommendations
The California Air Resources Board reports California’s air monitoring response to the January Los Angeles fires was the largest in state history.
CARB Monitoring of L.A. Fires is Largest in State History
The Master's University baseball team split a doubleheader with the OUAZ Spirit Saturday, March 29 dropping the first game 13-4 but winning the second 1-0.
TMU Splits Day and Series with Spirit
The Master's University men's volleyball team served up nine aces in a three-set win over the OUAZ Spirit Friday night, March 28 in Surprise, Ariz. 25-14, 25-15, 25-21.
Mustangs Ace the Spirit in Arizona
Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital president and chief executive officer Kevin Klockenga has joined the board of directors of the Hospital Association of Southern California.
Henry Mayo CEO Appointed to Hospital Association of Southern California Board
College of the Canyons women's tennis concluded its regular season schedule with a 9-0 sweep of Glendale College on Friday, March 28 to claim victory for the third time across the last five matches.
COC Closes Regular Season 9-0 Over Glendale
The College of the Canyons track teams combined to win three events while achieving several top marks during the annual Arnie Robinson Invitational hosted by San Diego Mesa College on March 28.
Cougars Compete at Annual Arnie Robinson Invitational
Howdy, Santa Clarita! It’s time to dust off those boots and round up the family because the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival is riding back into William S. Hart Park April 12-13, for two full days of western fun you won’t want to miss!
Bill Miranda | Saddle Up, Santa Clarita, The Cowboy Festival is Back!
The California state Senate Public Safety Committee has rejected Kayleigh’s Law (SB 421), a law proposed by Senator Suzette Valladares (R - Santa Clarita) that would implement protections for victims of violent crimes.
Valladares’ Proposed ‘Kayleigh’s Law’ Rejected by Public Safety Committee
SCVNews.com