Columbia, SC, –Nine Benedict College students attended Engineers’ Day on the Hill at the SC State House. The half-day event is part of the advocacy programs of the South Carolina Society of Professional Engineers and the American Council of Engineering Companies.
A major component of the event for students was the opportunity to network with engineering professionals. During the sessions, students learned from speakers the importance of joining engineering societies, understanding the role of professional groups in lobbying and educating legislators on issues surrounding the practice of engineering and licensure, and staying current on what legislative priorities are moving forward and how they might affect local communities.
The students representing Benedict College are members of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). Mikhal Brown, senior, electrical engineering, Forest Park, GA; Taleah Brown, senior, computer science major Middleton, NY; Phumosny Gauthier, junior, electrical engineering, Nassau, Bahamas; Kamya Jackson, sophomore, computer science, Riverdale, GA; Richard Little, Jr., sophomore, electrical engineering major, West Grand, Bahamas; Hezekiah Moore, junior, electrical engineering major, Freeport, Bahamas; Mark Wells, junior, computer science, Smyrna, GA; Quentin Whitfield, senior, cybersecurity, Little Elm, TX; and Carlisa Wright, junior, electrical engineering, Nassau, Bahamas represented Benedict with distinction.
Dr. Jessica Furrer, Dean of the School of Science and Engineering and NSBE advisor, says, “This annual event at the State House is a great way for engineering students to get exposure to the legislative process and how it impacts the engineering discipline in areas such as licensure and regulations. They were also able to network with practicing engineers from across South Carolina and raise awareness of Benedict College’s ABET-accredited environmental engineering program.”
Students were also encouraged to apply for scholarships.
Photo Insert– (From left to right) Carlisa Wright, Teleah Brown, Mikhal Brown, Richard Brown, (second row) Kamya Jackson, Phumosy Gauthier, Mark Wells, Hezekiaha Moore, and Quentin Whitfield.
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Benedict College Founded in 1870 by a woman, Bathsheba A. Benedict, Benedict College is a private co-educational liberal arts institution offering 29 competitive baccalaureate degree programs and two master’s degree programs. The Midlands HBCU welcomes students from several counties in South Carolina, states across America, and countries around the world. The College also has a diverse faculty deeply engaged in teaching, research, and service.
Benedict College has been highly regarded and exceptionally ranked for its programs by several academic and traditional publications. Benedict College is the recipient of the 2024 UNCF Institutional Excellence Awardgiven by UNCF’s Institute for Capacity Building Program in celebration of an HBCU that achieved next-level performance. Benedict was also named HBCU of the Year by HBCU Digest and voted the number one Gold Winner in The States’ BEST College or University in 2025.
Benedict College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Five of the College’s degree programs hold national accreditation: Social Work Program, Environmental Health Science Program, Environmental Engineering, Studio Art, and the Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business and Entrepreneurship.