NSBE at Nationals: How CU Denver Student Organizations Drive Student Success

At CU Denver’s College of Engineering, Design and Computing (CEDC), student success is no accident, but the meeting point of opportunity, community, and real-world experiences that extend beyond the classroom. No better is this articulated than in our student organizations, which prepare our students to stand out long before they graduate. 

This year, members of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) made a powerful impression at the 2026 NSBE National Convention, one of the largest gathering of Black engineers and STEM professionals in the country, demonstrating not only the talent of CU Denver students, but the transformative role student organizations play in shaping student success. Beyond exposure, the national convention was proof that CEDC students are equipped to connect and succeed at the highest level.

Stepping Into Opportunity

Each year, NSBE Nationals brings together thousands of high-achieving students, industry leaders, and top employers. For attendees, Kameren Kelly, Abeal Gebreziabher, and Elyas Larfi, the conference was a direct reflection of what involvement in student organizations can unlock: access to opportunity at scale.

“NSBE’s 2026 conference was a truly eye-opening experience,” said Abeal Gebreziabher, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science senior, expected to graduate in 2027. “Being surrounded by so many like-minded Black professionals inspired me to push myself further. I was impressed with the number of attendees and participating companies.”

Returning students found that their involvement on campus directly shaped how they showed up at the national level. 

“I’m always taken aback by the scale. The number of students, professionals, and companies all in one place creates an environment that feels both inspiring and motivating,” said Elyas Larfi, a computer science master’s senior expected to graduate in 2027.

That sense of belonging and shared ambition is a hallmark of organizations like NSBE, where students build a network that challenges them to grow academically, professionally, and personally.

Turning Preparation into Results

The impact is especially evident in how students navigate professional environments. From career fairs to networking events, NSBE members showed up prepared and confident. 

“I felt very comfortable talking to various recruiters, making connections with students, and supporting my chapter. This convention was very insightful and demonstrated much of the growth I have made over the year,” says Kameren Kelly Mechanical Engineering student expected to graduate in 2027 and NSBE president.

These moments underscore how student organizations serve as training grounds for the soft skills that make great engineers, equipping students with communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills that can only be gained through experiences like this. 

“I felt very prepared… the continued guidance I had received and hope to continue giving the same guidance I have received going forward,” says Kelly. “An engineer needs to be technically competent; however, we also need to be able to communicate effectively and reach out to others.”

And the results speak for themselves.

“The first time I got an offer for an interview was huge for me, as I had never received an interview for a tech-related internship before. The feeling of getting a response back is unmatched,” says Gebreziabher

Through NSBE, students connected directly with top employers, secured interviews, and even walked away with internship offers. 

“Attending this conference allowed me to further my career interests in automation/robotics. I was able to gain several interviews with companies such as Wabtec, Eaton, and Mortenson; even receiving an engineering internship offer at Wabtec,” says Kelly.

“I was able to secure a couple on site interviews and made countless long-term connections through the conference … [it] helped me understand what the workplaces I aspire to be in would be like in the future,” Gebreziabher said.  “The most valuable skill I’ve attained from this conference was how to appeal to recruiters through my pitch and what interviews look like for my career.” 

These outcomes are a product of preparation, exposure, and access made possible through student organization involvement.

Access that Opens Doors

Even when immediate offers weren’t the outcome, students built meaningful industry connections.

“I was able to make strong impressions with hiring managers from Pfizer, Abbott, Johnson & Johnson, and Johns Hopkins,” Larfi said . “These connections will serve me well in the future.”These moments underscore how student organizations open doors—not just for today, but for long-term career pathways.

Experiences like hospitality suites created space for deeper engagement. “The hospitality suites hosted during the night were very impactful… being able to not have the pressure of a crowded and noisy conference helped with the flow of conversation,” Gebreziabher said.

“Many of these people were or had been in the same position I am in currently; thus it was inspirational to see the possibilities my academic trajectory may lead to,” says Kelly.  

In some cases, they even introduced entirely new possibilities, Larfi mentions that following a hospitality suite meeting with Abbott: “I didn’t even know that the company existed, but after learning about it, I was super interested.”

“Attending the conference strongly reinforced my interest in pursuing a career in medical software and robotics,” says Larfi. “It helped me connect what I’m learning academically to real-world applications and gave me a clearer picture of how my skills can translate into industry. It also validated that I’m on the right path and showed me what I need to continue improving as I move forward.”

Experiences that Expand what is Possible

Beyond networking, the conference helped students refine their goals and better understand their place in the industry.

“The most valuable takeaway I gained from attending is how important clarity is. Compared to my previous attendance of the NSBE Conference, I came in with a clearer sense of what I really wanted and was looking for.” Larfi said. “Going to different booths and speaking with recruiters and managers about what they worked on and what they were looking for, I slowly realized what I truly wanted to do. I learned that I truly value impact and purpose, which is why the medical field stood out to me in the first place.”

Others found confidence in their academic paths.

“Speaking with employers solidified my resolve in the path I am taking. I am a mechanical engineering student with a minor in electrical engineering,” says Kelly. “Employers praised the fact that I had many different skills, giving me a very systematic approach of thinking,

The Power of Network and Belonging

Ask any student what mattered most, and the answer is consistent: the people.

“The most valuable skill I gained was being able to lean on my network,” said Kelly. “Without my network, none of this would have been possible. Whether it is seeking funding from Estefani from CACE, Annie from CEDC, Sam from Trimble, or countless advisors, this trip was made possible by continuously reaching out and seeking opportunities.”

That network—built through NSBE and other CEDC student organizations—extends far beyond a single conference. It’s a system of support that helps students access funding, prepare for opportunities, and navigate the complexities of their academic and professional journeys.

In a commuter campus environment, that sense of belonging is especially powerful.

“If you have the commuter school mentality—going to school, going to work, repeat—that’s not the best way to create meaningful connections,” said Kelly. “There are so many organizations that promote social and technical growth. I’ve made friends, gained internship offers, and built industry connections just by taking the first step.”

Building Momentum That Lasts

When students returned from NSBE Nationals, they brought back more than connections, they gained clarity and confidence in their direction.

“As I exit my final year… I now know what companies interest me and have a network I can reach out to,” said Larfi.

“This conference displayed how much growth I have had, and how much growth I still have left to do,” says Kelly. “Being around so many talented and inspirational individuals gives you the motivation to dream bigger and more confidently. If you have the will, the how you get there becomes possible.”

“This experience just makes me know that I can always keep growing,” says Gebreziabher.

The CEDC Difference

For students, the message is clear: involvement is a catalyst for success.

“NSBE is a great way to get an understanding of what your future will look like as a professional in STEM,” says Gebreziabher. “If you’re looking to get a job or internship in the near future, I feel like NSBE is an amazing path towards those.”

“NSBE is, in my opinion, one of the fastest ways to level up professionally on campus,” said Larfi. “You get to meet people that want to try harder, be better and learn. You’ll grow just by being in that environment. Just make sure you go with intention.”

“There are so many organizations that promote social and technical growth,” Kelly said. “From NSBE, SHPE, to SASE, AISA, LYNX Robotics … there is a club here for everyone. I have met so many friends outside of school, gained internship offers, and even industry connections from taking the first step to join these clubs.”

Through experiences like NSBE Nationals, CU Denver’s student organizations prove that they are powerful engines of opportunity that can define your college experience. They are where ambition turns into action, where classroom knowledge meets real-world impact, and where students gain the confidence, connections and clarity that set them apart in a competitive workforce.

At CEDC, students don’t wait until graduation to start building their careers. They start gaining mentors, securing internships, and exploring the industry now, building a network that will continue to open doors long after they have been handed their degree. This is the CEDC difference: a community that doesn’t just prepare students to enter the workforce, but empowers them to lead it.

Ready to build your future, not just study it? Explore student organizations within CEDC and take the first step toward gaining the experience, connections and confidence that will define your path.