The UNLV College of Engineering's student chapter of the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) has been selected as the "District 6, 2006 Best Student Chapter." The chapter will officially receive their award at the June 2006 conference to be held in Hawaii. The chapter, which has increased their membership from 32 to 64 members, has now received this honor for two consecutive years and was the runner-up chapter for the award for three years prior to being selected. District 6 includes 31 chapters across the 13 westernmost states in the United States. The chapter received a $300 cash award for their chapter funds along with a $1000 travel allowance to attend the next meeting in Hawaii.

Criteria for the award is presented to chapters with a high level of student participation, regular chapter activities featuring guest speakers, transportation-related field trips, technical presentations presented by students, published papers by student members, research conducted by student members, and member service to society. The chapter is directed by Dr. Mohamed Kaseko, associate professor of engineering, with support from a team of faculty and professional staff members who assist the students with their planning and research activities.

The Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering provides research and academic programs to over 1,500 undergraduate and graduate students. With more than 70 full-time faculty, the College offers B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees through its six academic departments.