NC State student chapter of AIChE wins Outstanding Student Chapter Award

The North Carolina State University Chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) won the Outstanding Student Chapter Award for the 23rd time for its leadership and work during the 2017-18 school year.

A student contingent will receive the award at the 2018 AIChE Annual Student Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the student awards ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 28. There are more than 120 student chapters in the U.S.

Dr. Kim G. Roberts, director of recruiting, enrollment management and educational partnerships for the College of Engineering, is an NC State alumna and the faculty advisor for the chapter. Roberts said student chapters are judged on four categories — chapter events and meetings, professional development, service within the community and communication.

“Our chapter is among the strongest student organizations on campus and among all AIChE chapters,” said Roberts, who was a chapter member when she was an undergraduate student at NC State. “We are unique in being able to schedule so many company-sponsored dinners each year. Our students are exceptional.”

Lucas Wylie, junior chemical engineering student and president of NC State’s student AIChE chapter, said he was ecstatic to learn the chapter had again won the award.

“Leadership turns over every year due to students graduating, and so it is always exciting to win the award due to the hard work put in by not only veteran members but also all the new faces,” he said.

The chapter, which has hosted 17 AIChE-sponsored events this year, sets itself apart by the relationships it forms with companies. Wylie said the students have hosted recruiting events and panel discussions, including one focused on women in STEM.

Eighteen NC State students and Roberts are registered to attend the conference in Pittsburgh.

“I would be lying if I said I did not expect the chapter to be named Outstanding Chapter — they are just a great group every year,” Roberts said. “The flag has been carried high for so many years, and the pressure is on to maintain excellence.”