National Collegiate Honors Council Appoints SIUE Civil Engineering Student Aman Pai to its Board of Directors
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville sophomore Aman Pai has been appointed to the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) Board of Directors. The NCHC is dedicated to supporting honors education throughout universities across the globe. Pai is the only current SIUE representative that has been selected for this honor.
Pai is currently a civil engineering major. He is on track to graduate in May 2027. Pai found SIUE after graduating from Parkway North High School in his hometown of Maryland Heights, Mo. When asked about his plans for his time at SIUE Pai stated, “I want to work on projects that revolve around community development, whether that means designing transport infrastructure, developing recreation centers, or managing construction projects, I want to help underserved communities thrive.”
Pai’s current objective on campus is to grow the Engineers Without Borders-SIUE student chapter. This chapter aims to connect students, faculty, and local businesses in support of global humanitarian efforts. The organization uses engineering design and processes to help communities access vital resources like clean water, shelter, and food.
Pai’s path to joining the NCHC Board of Directors was set in motion after attending the Council’s annual conference during his freshman year. Inspired by the research and community-based projects he saw from fellow students nationwide, he decided to apply for the open board position. “Those conferences were transformative,” Pai shared. “I felt empowered to make an impact of my own.”
As a board member, he hopes to help institutions and students alike recognize the real-world applications of an honors program. “I want to give back to the community that empowered me,” he said. “Honors education is more than just academics; it’s about shaping the world and guiding our communities.”
The National Collegiate Honors Council serves thousands of honors programs and their students across the United States and beyond. The election of a SIUE student to its board underscores SIUE’s growing impact on the national stage of honors education.
PHOTO: SIUE’s Aman Pai, second-year civil engineering major
