An Unsung Heroine - Building African American Youth
in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
Complete Greater Albuquerque National Society of
Black Engineers Pre-College Jr. Program
The Greater Albuquerque Junior Chapter of the
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE Jr.) was
presented with Program of the Year at the 43rd Annual
NSBE Convention in Kansas City, Missouri.
In a state represented by an African American
population of less than 3%, Viola Cox-Henry, Senior
Advisor to the Greater Albuquerque NSBE Jr. Chapter,
and her team of graduates and industry professionals
(Shaun Adams, Imani Adams, & LaTonya Walker)
have dedicated themselves to ensuring that African
American youth in Albuquerque, New Mexico, exceed
academically, develop professionally, and remain
humble servants within the community.
In April, at the 43rd Annual NSBE Convention
in Kansas City, Missouri, Viola was presented with
the Program of the Year Award to recognize the efforts
put forth to expose African American students (K-12)
to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
(STEM) fields. This is no small feat. New Mexico is
ranked 49th in the U.S. in regards to the quality of
education, where math and reading test scores have
been some of the lowest in the nation. Nevertheless,
these statistics have not stopped Viola and her team from
preparing their students not only for careers in STEM
related fields, but to be the next generation of industry
www.oaaa.state.nm.us
professionals and leaders within our community.
Under Viola’s leadership, the Greater Albuquerque
NSBE Jr. Chapter consistently maintains an overall chapter
grade point average (GPA) of 3.0, while students with a
GPA less than a 3.8 are required to attend tutoring sessions
sponsored by the chapter. Furthermore, they facilitate
and encourage participation in events and workshops
aimed at post-secondary academic opportunities, which
have proven the Greater Albuquerque NSBE Jr. Chapter
a force to be reckoned with on regional and national
levels. Viola’s students have placed within the top 3
of teams in various technical competitions since 2013;
college-bound high school graduates have all received a
minimum of $500 in book scholarships; with one recent
grad securing over $130,000 in grants and scholarships.
The NSBE mission is to increase the number
of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel
academically, succeed professionally, and positively
impact the community. Nationally, the organization
has set a goal to produce 10,000 new African American
engineers by 2025, and the Greater Albuquerque NSBE
Jr. Chapter, with Viola at the helm, is doing their part to
ensure those numbers come to fruition.
28