Four MassBay Community College Students Awarded Scholarships from the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)

Four exceptional students from MassBay Community College have been selected by the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Boston Professionals as recipients of the Boston Scholarship program, each receiving $2,500. Reginald Ben Arthur Jr., Esther Jagwer of Waltham, Mass., Adrian Gilbert Miller of Boston, and Leo Russell of Ashland, Mass. were awarded this prestigious honor at the 6^th Annual NSBE Inspire STEM Gala on February 24, 2024, in Boston.

Founded in 1988, the NSBE Boston Professionals is a non-profit organization dedicated to the academic and professional success of Black / African American engineering students and professionals. This growing organization offers professional development and career advancement opportunities to members. The NSBE Boston Scholarship program was established to support members majoring in disciplines related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math fields.

This year, the NSBE Boston Professionals awarded 28 scholarships to its members, with MassBay being awarded the highest number of scholarships. MassBay’s NSBE chapter launched in January 2024, and currently has 12 students.

Reginald Ben Arthur Jr., is an electrical and computer engineering student at MassBay. When he isn’t in his classes, he is involved on campus as an active mentee in the STEM Mentor Program and an ambassador of the Student of Color Program. He credits his “remarkable teacher, Math Professor John Shea, for his patience and his organized courses,” which pushed him to work harder in his classes. In addition, he acknowledges MassBay staff members, Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Lynn Moore, Student of Color Program Coordinator Dejour Hollins, and International Admissions Counselor Claudia Ortiz for their unwavering support. Arthur’s future goals include graduating from MassBay and transferring to a four-year university to earn a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering. He is scheduled to graduate from MassBay in May 2025.

“MassBay has a lot of opportunities for students, from peer tutoring and mentoring to clubs and sports, so I would tell others to make the most out of every opportunity here at MassBay,” said Arthur. “I wasn’t expecting this scholarship, but I’m proud of myself for putting in the work and showing up every day to do that work. I have incorporated basketball into my philosophy for my studies, every time you drop the ball, pick it up and go for it again. I keep pushing myself to do better.”

Esther Jagwer of Waltham, Mass., is studying life sciences at MassBay with the aspiration of becoming a physician scientist specializing in pediatrics. Originally from Uganda, Jagwer is involved on campus as a senator for the MassBay Student Government Association (SGA), a mentee in the STEM Mentor Program, a peer tutor in chemistry, a peer mentor, president of the Association of Pre-health Science Students Club, Vice President of the African Student Association club, Vice President of the Kingdom club, a member of the 2022 LEAD (Leadership Engagement And Development) program, and a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. In addition, Jagwer has maintained a 4.0 GPA and was named Gold Scholar for the Phi Theta Kappa Coca-Cola Academic Team for 2024. Outside of the classroom she is a mentor for the non-profit organization Science Club for Girls, ambassador for the Link Health Boston Digital Equity Program, a volunteer at Brigham and Women’s Hospital for the Medical Careers Exploration Program, and a Teaching Assistant for the biotech Scholars Program at Framingham High School. She is scheduled to graduate from MassBay in May 2024, and will transfer to a four-year university to pursue her bachelor’s degree with a goal of being physician scientist in pediatrics or neurology specialty.

“Especially as an African student who came to the U.S. with little financial support for my educational journey, receiving the NSBE scholarship is an honor and appreciation for the hard work and dedication put into my academics and beyond to achieve my goals,” Jagwer explains. “This scholarship is timely in the sense that I will be graduating this semester, and it provides means for me to continue towards my next journey, to support myself in the necessary transition to a four-year institution.”

Leo Russell moved from Texas to Ashland, Mass. three years ago and is studying Biotechnology, Genomics, and Biomanufacturing at MassBay. He is involved on campus as a mentor in the STEM Mentor Program, member of the Biotech club and the African Students Association, and an ambassador in the Students of Color Program. Russell learned about the NSBE scholarship through another recipient and was looking to network and expand his skills within the biotechnology industry. When he is outside of the classroom, he enjoys cooking Cajun Creole food and traveling to new places. Russell is scheduled to graduate from MassBay in May 2025 and plans to transfer to a four-year university in Massachusetts to earn his bachelor’s degree.

“As an African American male, I feel extremely blessed to receive this scholarship,” said Russell. “It has meant so much to me to be given the opportunity to focus on my studies, relieving some of the burden of paying for school, books, and supplies. Receiving this support has amplified my drive to complete college and further my education in the world of biotechnology sciences. Knowing there is an organization like NSBE and mentors like Dr. Lynn Moore and Dr. Nirmal Singh to provide guidance and support, is a game changer.”

Adrian Gilbert Miller of Boston, Mass., is an engineering student at MassBay. In addition to his classes, Miller is very active on campus as the president of the MassBay NSBE chapter, the vice president of MassBay’s Student Government Association, vice president of the STEM for All club, president of the Open Minds club, an ambassador for the Students of Color program, part of the LEAD Program in Spring 2023, vice president of the African Student Association, a mentee in the STEM Mentor Program, and a peer mentor. In addition, he has been on Dean’s List almost every semester and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Outside of the classroom, Miller works a part-time job at the Holiday Inn, volunteers his time with the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts teaching STEM to children and with his church preparing meals for people who are homeless. Miller is scheduled to graduate in May 2025, and he looks forward to transferring to a four-year university to earn a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering. His future career goals include earning a medical degree or Ph.D. in Cystic Fibrosis research and creating a non-profit organization to help homeless families connect with resources.

“This scholarship means everything to me,” said Miller. “It makes me look at all the hard work I have put into my studies and realize that hard work does pay off. This scholarship will help me pay off my semester bills and focus on next year. In addition to my family, I would like to thank MassBay alum and STEM Starter Academy Project Coordinator Marilyn Machuca for helping me navigate MassBay, and she was instrumental in bringing NSBE to our campus. I would also like to acknowledge Assistant Professor of English Courtney DeGeorge, who has had the biggest impact on my educational success and provided me with resources when I needed them most.”