The purpose of the Association was to enhance the recruitment, admission, retention, and graduation of traditionally underrepresented minority engineering students by working with college and pre-college programs. NAMEPA expanded its founding membership from college administrators to include representatives from industry, government, and other interested parties involved in the effort to increase the participation of minorities in engineering and technical fields.

One of the most significant products of the Association was developed in 1987 when NAMEPA outlined the issues that members considered vital to the advancement of students in Minority Engineering Programs. A committee, chaired by Dr. Chenits Pettigrew, then of UCLA, started by examining pre-college education and identifying issues that effect the number of minority engineers. A document The Vital Issues was written to outline these issues.

In 1990, NAMEPA developed a strategic plan, Addressing the Vital Issues, that outlined the goals and objectives of the Association. Task forces were created to develop strategies to meet these goals. The strategic plan was created as a three to five year program. The goals and objectives will be readdressed within that time frame.

NAMEPA, Inc. is one of many organizations that comprise the minority engineering effort. A listing of other organizations and the missions are listed in the appendix.