The School of Materials Science and Engineering has an active and proud group of students. They represent all that Georgia Tech and MSE have to offer and speak passionately about their interests. We recently talked with Ashley Burton, Blair Hall, Khari Fletcher, and David “DC” Coleman II about their experience on campus.

The group agreed that college can feel isolating. No matter the size of the school or the major, they sometimes find themselves feeling a loss of community away from home. However, the students have cultivated their own community in MSE and with each other.

“I found myself longing for a sense of community, especially within my major,” Hall said. “I’m happy that I’ve found a much-needed safe space. Student groups such as Black in MSE (BiMSE) have created a community where I can seek advice and support.”

“As a transfer student navigating the Atlanta University Center Dual Degree Program, finding a support system was essential to adjust to Georgia Tech’s rigorous academic environment,” said Coleman. “It’s a reciprocal benefit: I can share my experiences and learn from others who understand.”

Fletcher went so far as to call their community an “oasis.” “For a student to succeed as a whole person and not simply a grade in a book, this kind of peer support and community is invaluable and MSE is proud to foster such connections,” said Fletcher.

These students also give back to people of all ages while representing MSE. BiMSE has outreach planned for incoming students to provide them with a community upon enrolling. The group also recently hosted a slime workshop for 65 local middle school students, teaching them what materials science is and the types of careers in the field.

“I hope that learning about MSE in a fun setting and seeing Black MSE students encourages the middle schoolers to one day apply to Georgia Tech. A lot of those students expressed how meaningful it was to see scientists who look like them,” said Burton, a first-year student who planned the event. “I also hope that outreach events such as this can help more students, both within and outside of engineering, truly understand what MSE is and how impactful it is across various industries.”

Fletcher hopes to see MSE and its community foster connections and “act as a pipeline for students in MSE to enter the workforce, academia, and entrepreneurship.” It is clear that MSE students are and will remain, as Coleman said, a “beacon of excellence” within the entire Georgia Tech community.