Approximately 7 years ago the National Science Foundation awarded its first Engineering Research Center(ERC) Grant to a historically black college. I served as a reviewer for this ERC prior to approval and I have also served as an annual reviewer for this center for the past seven years since it was initially funded. Each year I and several other reviewers meet with the ERC faculty and staff to review scientific and technical results from the prior year. For me the most significant component of this annual trip is that I get to meet and mentor students from historically disadvantaged groups who are pursuing advanced degrees in engineering and science. Over the past seven years many of these students have graduated and attained professional jobs in engineering and other STEM areas.