Stacyann P. Russell, a fourth-year engineering student in industrial and systems engineering, has been elected chair of the National Society of Black Engineers. NSBE, dedicated to the academic and professional success of African-American engineering students and professionals, is one of the largest student-run organizations in the United States, with more than 31,000 members.

Russell, a first-generation immigrant to the U.S. who was raised in the Bronx, New York, became active in the Ohio State chapter of NSBE in her freshman year. She quickly took on leadership roles at the chapter, regional and national levels, and was elected to the national chair position at the 2009 National Conference, held March 25-29 in Las Vegas.

“My number one priority is to keep NSBE financially strong through these hard economic times, as we plan for our first International Convention, in Toronto, in March 2010,” Russell says. “And I would like to equip our 31,000 members to engage in more direct-action programs to fulfill the NSBE mission to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.”

Russell will serve as NSBE chair through April 2010. Her future plans include to pursue a master’s degree in engineering management, and to own an engineering consulting firm that provides practical solutions to real world problems and develops innovative business-to-business applications.