Student of the Year Award
2010 Recipient
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High-ResSteven Leon
Leon, a doctoral student in Transportation and Logistics at NDSU, was named the Region VIII Mountain-Plains Consortium UTC Student of the Year. The U.S. Department of Transportation honors an outstanding student each year for achievement and the potential future contributions to the transportation field. Students are selected based on their accomplishments, academic merit, research and leadership.
An Odenton, Md., native, Leon first came to the Midwest to attend the University of North Dakota and received a B.S. in Aeronautical Studies from UND, graduating magna cum laude in 1990. From Loyola University Maryland in January 2007, Leon earned an MBA with a concentration in International Business. Leon is expected to graduate from North Dakota State University with a Ph.D. in Transportation and Logistics in May 2011. Leon's dissertation is titled, "Global airlines: Modeling trends and portfolio for allocation to international regions."
At NDSU, Leon works as a research assistant for the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute. He assisted in submitting a proposal to the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission as well as contributing to obtaining funding for air cargo research. His other research interests include economic development through air transportation as well as government policy, risk management and resource allocation in supply chain management.
In addition to research, Leon has many other accomplishments. In 2009, he received the Transportation Research Forum Foundation Scholarship. He is also a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society at Loyola University Maryland and the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society at NDSU. Leon served as the president of the NDSU Transportation and Logistics student organization. He has also taught undergraduate courses at NDSU, UND, and Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Ariz.
With all his accomplishments, Leon still makes time for volunteering and is known for his work ethic and dedication to excellence. He serves as a board member on the UND Aerospace Alumni Advisory Board and also offers his time as an assistant coach for the Fargo Youth Soccer League.
