Eight of Grambling State University’s finest graduate students were in attendance for the 2015, 27th Annual National Black Graduate Student Association (NBGSA) conference which was held in Jacksonville, Fla., April 8 through 12.
Seven of the graduate students were chosen to be part of the 2015-2016 National Leadership Team (NLT). They are Herley Burnside, Jericka Berry, Kimberly Monroe, Ebony Peterson, Marcus Kennedy, Kindrell Plains, Kenneth Williams. GSU was also recognized for being the “Most Spirited School.”
“I’ve been a part (NBGSA) since 2014,” said Monroe. “I attended my first conference in May 2014 and immediately ran for office and became historian.”
Monroe is a social science major with a concentration in history and currently serves as historian for the 2015-2016 NLT.
This year’s conference was geared towards showcasing the developing research and assisting with scholarly development of Black graduate students as well as promoting excellence in different fields. Students got the chance to take part in different activities such as the Graduate School and Career Expo and networking and social mixers. These fellowships were great chances for students to get their name out, as well as gain vital information from others.
“This year I was able to present my research, ‘Examining the Lives of Black Women during the Civil War’ and sit on a panel,” said Monroe. “It has helped me as a graduate student overall because it allows me to see where others are in their fields and helps me grow at Grambling.”
Ebony Peterson and Monroe were on the panel for the discussion about the importance of African American studies programs at HBCUs.
“We definitely represented for Grambling throughout the entire conference,” said Monroe. “We made sure they didn’t forget us.”
The NBGSA is a non-profit association that addresses the needs of Black graduate students. They offer leadership training, career placement help and other helpful services.
Membership is open to all graduate and undergraduate students who are interested in the pursuit of graduate and professional educational excellence.