This week, some 160 engineering students from 30 colleges across the nation will gather for the National Association of Engineering Student Councils (NAESC) 2024 Conference hosted by the New Mexico State University chapter of the organization.
From March 21-24, the students will tour Spaceport America and Virgin Galactic, White Sands Missile Range Museum and Missile Park and the Kay Bailey Hutchins Desalination Plant. They will also attend NAESC meetings, workshops and keynote presentations by Scott McLaughlin, Spaceport America director and NMSU alum; Dr. Aravind Mannarswamy, Cummins, Inc. director of data science and NMSU alum; and leaders of the New Mexico Society of Professional Engineers.
“I am beyond proud of what our council has been able to achieve with this conference, and we are super excited to see student leaders from across the country here at NMSU. We have been working hard since last May to showcase the best of the College of Engineering, NMSU and the state of New Mexico. As president I have been super proud of our accomplishments over the past two years, but this is the cherry on top for us,” said J-D Soltero, E-Council president (2022-present) and chemical engineering senior. “I give special thanks to all of our sponsors and donors; without them this event wouldn't have been possible.”
“This is a great opportunity to represent our college to the nation and show NMSU’s College of Engineering to the country. Our council has been allowed the chance to learn how to handle such a large event. This level of administrative experience comes few and far between for many individuals, especially at such an early stage in our educational and professional careers,” said Janos Braun, E-Council vice president and chemical engineering junior.
Last year, the NMSU Chapter was lauded as the National Association of Engineering Student Councils Most Improved West Council of 2023. The NMSU council also won the award for Best Large Council of 2023 at last year’s NAESC Summit. Led by council president J-D Soltero, 2022-23 and current, the group was noted for its efforts in reviving the council after the COVID-19 pandemic and being considered the example college council on the NMSU campus.
“This conference represents an opportunity for young engineers from various different majors to come together to share insights, experiences and strategies to shape the future. This lets us connect, network, enhance our skills and have a profound impact on our engineering student community,” said Diego Chavez, E-Council director of finance and electrical engineering graduate student.
NMSU’s Engineering Student Council membership comprises representatives from 23 student engineering organizations. The group organizes a wide range of activities to support its members and fellow engineering students’ academic and professional development.
“We are very proud of and grateful for the accomplishments of this group and the exemplary leadership of our student leaders in the council,” said College of Engineering Dean Lakshmi N. Reddi. “They have created a cohesive and energetic group whose contributions have been tremendously beneficial to the campus engineering community and are now sharing those qualities with engineering students throughout the country.”
To learn more about the Engineering Student Council and how to get involved, visit ecouncil.nmsu.edu.
The National Association of Engineering Student Councils was established in 1983 as a nonprofit organization that aims to foster leadership and professional development among engineering students across the United States.
