UTA NAACP honored with five top national awards
The University of Texas at Arlington’s National Association for the Advancement of Colored People student chapter received the College Chapter of the Year award for the second year in a row at the 108th NAACP National Convention in Baltimore.
In addition to being named College Chapter of the Year, UTA received four other awards: Best Overall Game Changer, Health Game Changer, Juvenile Justice Game Changer and Largest College Branch in the Nation.
“These awards are an affirmation that our NAACP student chapter is filling its local and national mission of advocating on behalf of its communities,” said Leticia Martinez, director of Multicultural Affairs and NAACP campus adviser. “Through teamwork and dedication, these student leaders consistently strive to help their fellow students find a home at UTA while providing education on local and national contemporary issues.”
The national organization annually recognizes student chapters that strive to represent and magnify the NAACP’s vision. Across the nation, NAACP student chapters focus on training and fine-tuning intellectual and leadership skills through social and political activism.
“Being part of the NAACP has opened many doors in my life that I am thankful for. I am able to fight the good fight for all races and mankind while I grow as an individual and leader," said Brandy Fields, UTA NAACP student chapter president. "I have met some of the most amazing people and mentors in this organization on a local, state and national level.”
The NAACP works to build a society in which all individuals have equal rights without racial discrimination. Education is a fundamental component of the NAACP’s mission. Its efforts to ensure that graduates are career-ready by ensuring access to teaching, fair discipline, equitable resources and challenging curriculum. The goals of the national organization align with those of the UTA student chapter.
“Our chapter is unique because of coalition building with other entities on campus such as Health Services, Multicultural Affairs, The Center for African American Studies and fellow student groups,” Martinez explained. “The UTA NAACP chapter also partners with local city chapters because our students recognize that promoting equality and inclusion is a community effort.”
