Participating in a student organization is a great way for undergraduate and graduate students to build new skills, network and make a difference in their community. The University of Colorado Engineering Council (UCEC) maintains a database of student organizations as does the university. Click the buttons below to explore involvement opportunities across campus. 

Engineering Student Organizations   University Student Organizations

There are 3 primary types of student organizations:

  1. Student societies tend to be local chapters of larger professional organizations with examples including the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).  
  2. Student design teams provide an opportunity for students to work collaboratively on design projects while building technical and teamwork skills. Examples of student design teams include CU Hyperloop, the Robotics Club and Design for America (DFA).
  3. Other student organizations have an approach that doesn’t neatly fall within either of those two categories. For example, Colorado Engineer Magazine (CEM) is a student-run publication, and the CU Energy Club focuses on connecting students with the energy industry.

ASME tabling in CU Boulder engineering lobbyThe American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) serves as a student leadership team for the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering. They plan industry talks, faculty dinners, barbeques, happy hours and other events to bring mechanical engineering students together and build community within the department. Both undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to join ASME and participate in their events.  

Graduate students with an interest in mentoring are encouraged to participate in STEM Routes which provides opportunities for graduate students to serve as mentors to undergraduates with an interest in research or graduate school.  

Students who are interested in using engineering skills to impact developing communities around the world are encouraged to learn more about Engineers Without Borders (EWB), an organization that was founded at CU Boulder in 2002.