Semma - UCSB Award of Distinction

Six students from the College of Engineering recognized for their outstanding contributions by UC Santa Barbara’s Academic Senate, including CE graduating senior Abel Semma, received the University Award of Distinction in recognition of unselfish and dedicated service to the university, its students, and the community

photo of semma at his desk

Excerpt from COE News article "Awards of Distinction"

CE graduating senior Abel Semma was honored for his contributions while serving as an officer of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). As a co-president of the NSBE this year, he focused on finding ways to ensure that members stayed engaged and involved during the pandemic.

“I always believed that, we should strive to leave, whatever it is that we are involved in, better than we found it. This applies to NSBE for me,” said Semma, who also received the College of Engineering’s Hynes-Wood Award for his selfless contributions to student activities. “I had a memorable experience my freshman year at UCSB, but I also wanted to see that the next generation of NSBE members have a better experience than I did, so I was motivated to work on new events and bring more of them to NSBE. Receiving this award means a lot to me, because it is a reminder that I achieved my goal.”

Semma also interacted with hundreds of K-12 undergraduate students through the Math/Engineering/Science Achievement (MESA) program, serving as an undergraduate mentor to high school students. He also organized and participated in Science and Technology MESA Day, which brings hundreds of K-12 underrepresented student and their families to campus for activities and presentations. After graduating, Semma will move to Portland, Oregon, to work as a field applications engineer at Intel.

COE News – "Awards of Distinction" (full article)