The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) recognized Travis Griffin, director of the college’s Engineering Diversity Programs, as its Collegiate Chapter Advocate of the Year in the recent 25^th Annual NSBE Golden Torch Awards.

Griffin will accept the award at NSBE’s 48^th Annual Convention on March 26 in Anaheim, California. This Golden Torch honors individuals who make significant contributions to collegiate NSBE chapters.

“It has been an honor to receive this recognition to advise the chapter and its members,” said Griffin. “The UT chapter continues to fulfill the mission of NSBE, making a community impact, supporting membership growth in professionalism, and striving to excel academically. Their continued success plays an influential impact on the engineering student retention and graduation in support of NSBE’s Game Change 2025.”

The advocate award is nominated by a student via examples that describe the ways the nominee fulfills the award criteria. Griffin was nominated by UT doctoral student Kendra Allen, who earned two awards herself in this year’s NSBE accolades.

Criteria for the Advocate of the Year award include:

• Provided outstanding advisement and support to their University’s NSBE chapter throughout the academic year.
• Visible and integral part to the success of the chapter
• Contributed to the growth and development of Individual students in the chapter
• Considered a role model In terms of club advisement
• Assists students through leadership development
• Contributions to campus and/or surrounding community
• Nominations can/should include a description of how the advocate supports the chapter, student leaders and student organization programs and events.