engineering at San Jose State College Magazine

Student Profile – Alexander Wiley

Alexander Wiley is a current senior majoring in Mechanical Engineering. He previously interned at Lucid as a Technical Program Manager and led the Black Alliance of Scientists and Engineers as president. From transfer students to student-athletes to club leaders, Alex is dedicated to giving back to the community and setting an example for Black adolescents to overcome any doubts they may have. Check out his full interview now!

Black History Month

Mary Jackson

Mary Jackson earned bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and physical science from Hampton University in 1942. Later, she became the first Black female engineer at NASA, making significant contributions to aerodynamics research. Her work helped improve the safety and performance of various aircraft. Her story was later adapted into a book and movie, Hidden Figures, paving the way for young Black girls to dream of what was once thought impossible.

Guion Bluford Jr.

Guion Bluford Jr. was the first African American astronaut to travel to space. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering. In 1978, he was selected as one of the 35 individuals out of 10,000 applicants in NASA’s competition to become an astronaut. In 1983, he traveled to space under the STS-8 mission on the Orbiter Challenger, setting new heights for young black astronauts.

Ursula Burns

Ursula Burns made history in 2009 when she became the first Black woman to lead a Fortune 500 company as the CEO of Xerox. With her background in mechanical engineering, she joined Xerox in 1980, working her way up through the company and eventually driving significant innovation and transformation. Her leadership was instrumental in the company’s shift from a traditional photocopying company to a leader in digital document solutions. She is also known for advocating for diversity in the workplace and is a trailblazer for Black women in corporate America.

Hugh G. Robinson

In 1978, Hugh G. Robinson became the first Black general in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He graduated from West Point in 1954 with a master’s in civil engineering from MIT. He served as a military aide to President Lyndon B. Johnson, the first Black person to hold that role. He later commanded the Southwestern Division and retired as a major general in 1983. Beyond his military career, Robinson became a vice president at Southland Corporation and served as chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. He was deeply involved in various civic and professional organizations, leaving a lasting impact on both the military and civilian sectors before his death in 2010.

AI Talks with Silicon Valley Expert: $500B Stargate, Tech Hiring & Future! Ft. Dr Ahmed Banafa!

In a recent interview with YouTuber @SinghinUSA, Professor Ahmed Banafa explores the future of blockchain, cryptocurrency, and cybersecurity, discussing Bitcoin’s value, the U.S.’s crypto strategy, and the rising threats of deepfakes and AI-driven misinformation. He highlights the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity and AI expertise to navigate these challenges.

Watch the full interview to gain insight and navigate these challenges.