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Advisory Council Chair Named Outstanding Young Texas Ex

Jeff Tsai speaking to a crowd Jeffrey Tsai, chair of the School of Undergraduate Studies Advisory Council, has won the Outstanding Young Texas Ex Award. Each year, Texas Exes selects alumni age 39 or younger, who have “made significant achievements in their careers and service to the university.”

“I am honored to stand among such an accomplished group of past and present recipients,” Tsai said. “My education at UT—whether it was attending class at Batts Hall, late-night studying at the Union, or campaigning on the West Mall—has been instrumental to my professional and personal achievements. I am grateful for this incredible award and proud to serve our great university as a Texas Ex.”

Tsai graduated from UT in 1997 with a B.A. in government. During his time at UT, he was elected student body president, named a Dean’s Distinguished Graduate of the College of Liberal Arts, and was inducted into the Friar Society. Tsai is the Special Assistant Attorney General of California where he oversees criminal law policy in the California Department of Justice.

As the school’s Advisory Council chair, Tsai has brought the council up to full membership and initiated several important “firsts” for the school.

“Without a base of former graduates from which to draw, UGS has relied upon innovative administrators and UT alumni dedicated to improving undergraduate education on our campus,” Tsai said. “In that spirit, the Advisory Council has been there to provide ongoing support for the school’s mission. Through efforts like the Paul B. Woodruff Professorship for Excellence in Undergraduate Studies and the UGS Forty Acres Scholarship, this council is proudly helping solidify UGS’ place at UT for the long term.”

“Jeff brings a great positive energy combined with Silicon Valley savvy to UGS Council,” said Undergraduate Studies Dean Brent Iverson. “He is a Longhorn through and through and we are so fortunate to have him on the council.”

John Adkins, Houston lawyer and School of Undergraduate Studies Advisory Council chair-elect, won the Outstanding Young Texas Ex Award in 1988.