The National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME) has presented its annual University Rising Star Award to the Georgia Institute of Technology for its commitment to providing successful outreach and support programs that address the needs of underrepresented minorities in engineering.

Georgia Tech’s efforts in addressing such needs have traditionally received recognition from various sources. Diverse Issues in Higher Education, for instance, ranks  the University No. 1 in multiple categories: engineering bachelor’s degrees awarded to all minority students, engineering doctoral degrees awarded to African Americans, engineering doctoral degrees awarded to Hispanics and engineering doctoral degrees awarded to all minority students. Hispanic Business Magazine also recently named Georgia Tech No. 1 among engineering graduate schools.

Dr. Rafael L. Bras, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs at Georgia Tech, accepted the award during NACME’s Awards Dinner and Celebration, and thanked all of the individuals and departments at Georgia Tech – from Enrollment Services to the College of Engineering – dedicated to attracting and supporting underrepresented students as they pursue careers in engineering.

“I am proud that our efforts to improve diversity span the full spectrum,” Bras said. “We work with all age groups to cultivate a diverse pipeline by increasing engineering awareness in the K-12 arena and exposing students to real-world, hands-on engineering experiences; we work with high school students; we celebrate our minority students and their accomplishments; and we have programs to promote graduate education – particularly in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields – among women and underrepresented minorities.”

Bras added that Georgia Tech remains committed to its goals of diversity and inclusiveness and to providing the best education to all students.

“The support and recognition of great organizations like NACME is very much appreciated,” he said.