WSU NOBCChE chapter wins Champions of Diversity Award

By Samuel Mutinda

The WSU chapter of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) continues to advance diversity in the chemical sciences and has seen great growth within the last academic year, both in terms of membership and professional development activities. One of the greatest accomplishments was winning the Champions of Diversity Award at the Wayne State Spirit of Community Awards ceremony.

The chapter continues to host professional lectureship events, in which accomplished professionals across the country engage with students and postdoctoral scholars to offer professional mentorship and deliver lectures. The chapter recently hosted accomplished scientists from industry and academia, including Dr. Anne Shim and Erika Peterman from BASF, Professor Paula Hammond from MIT, and Professor Sossina Haile from Northwestern University.

The organization continues to engage with the Wayne State community in many other aspects, including volunteering at programs such as Build Detroit, in which members teach selected minority students to prepare them for their freshman year at Wayne State; Cass Technical High School student mentorship; and Wayne State's annual STEM Day.

Finally, the chapter recently ushered in new leadership, headed by President Duke Debrah, along with other talented and highly motivated executive board members. The handing-over ceremony was attended by Department Chair Matt Allen and faculty advisors Dr. Sarah Trimpin and Dr. Aaron Rury.