Brian Black, a major supporter of Wichita State University’s TRIO programs, has won the 2015 National TRIO Achievers Award.

Black, senior leader of Global Diversity and Corporate Administration at Spirit AeroSystems Inc., is an alumnus of the Talent Search program at Greenville Urban League/Greenville Technical College.

The prestigious award honors individuals of distinction who made the most of their TRIO participation.

Wichita State is home to the nation’s largest number of TRIO programs, a set of nine federally funded opportunity programs that recruit, motivate and support students in pursuit of higher education.

Associate Vice President of Student Affairs Deltha Colvin – who nominated Black for the award – says his contributions to Wichita State’s TRIO programs are significant.

“(He) is the ultimate example of an individual having made quality choices and decisions, having effectively utilized resources, paying a debt back and forward, and an advocate for change,” Colvin says. “I know that he will continue to make TRIO proud as an alumnus and will advocate for the recognition that TRIO deserves and promote the image the nation should see.”

Black says Talent Search not only changed his life, but generations of his family.

“I have become the force in my family that provides the encouragement to attend college,” Black says. “College is not an option; it is a requirement for my nieces, nephews and cousins.”

Black graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in office administration. From there, he went on to earn a master’s in teaching in business education and is working on a doctoral degree in organizational leadership.

He joined the other awardees at a ceremony honoring their achievements at the 34th annual Council for Opportunity in Education Conference in Atlanta, Sept. 16-19.

Talent Search, one of the federally funded TRIO programs, provides college preparation, mentoring and college admissions assistance to low-income and first-generation students, as well as students with disabilities at Wichita State and across the country.