Black Engineering and Science Students Association
Recruiting nowBlack or African American·Engineering·Community Service/Nonprofit·Professional Fraternities·Education
BESSA is UC Berkeley's chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), founded in 1968. Members attend weekly Study Jams, general body meetings, and 10+ company info-sessions per semester. The club runs a tutoring program, connects students to a Resume Bank reviewed by corporate partners, and sponsors members to attend regional and national NSBE conferences. Its mission: producing culturally responsible Black engineers and scientists who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.
ApplicationsSeptember 7, 2026
10+
Company info-sessions per semester
5
General Body Meetings/Socials per semester
$15
NSBE membership cost
1968
Founded
Events They Host
Data Science Day
A STEM outreach event with panelists and resources for K-12 students covering data science, coding, and electronics projects.
BGESS30/BESSA50 Afternoon Symposium
A symposium held as part of a joint BGESS/BESSA anniversary celebration.
BGESS30/BESSA50 Evening Banquet
An evening banquet held as part of a joint BGESS/BESSA anniversary celebration.
NSBE Annual Convention 2026
National NSBE conference held in Baltimore, Maryland. BESSA sponsors members to attend.
Company Info-Sessions
10+ corporate info-sessions per semester hosted for members, with companies also accessing the BESSA Resume Bank.
NSBE Junior Initiative at Berkeley High School
Outreach meetings with Berkeley High School students to provide academic support and encourage pursuit of STEM fields.
Genentech Visit
Member visit to Genentech, documented in 2019 event photos.
Member Experiences
Weekly Study Jams
Weekly group study sessions for BESSA members, part of the club's focus on academic retention.
General Body Meetings/Socials
5 per semester, combining community-building socials with professional development workshops.
Tutoring Program
A tutoring program launched as part of BESSA's academic retention initiative.