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The Role of Student Chapters


Albert Einstein famously said, “No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it”.

Einstein believed we must elevate our level of thinking if we are to address the issues of our time. Whether on a local, national, or global scale, engineers can serve the public as those elevated thinkers. They provide a vital link between research and application that can lead to solutions to the pressing challenges that impact our communities, our economies, and our environment.

Student Chapters offer an opportunity for students to start applying what they learn in the classroom into designing innovative solutions to real-world problems. They have the benefit of being able to pull together interdisciplinary teams from across the engineering fields, and from other disciplines like economics, social science, law, and policy, into the problem-solving process. Supporting Posts, especially industry members, can help identify locally relevant issues.

Want to share highlights from your student chapter? Email photos and information to Christina Jettie, Vice-chair.

 

 

Distinguished Student Chapters



2020 – 2021 Distinguished Student Chapter Award Winners

 

The award is given to recognize student chapters that advance mentoring and career development for their members.

Find a Student Chapters

SAME supports a network of over 35 student chapters. Student chapters promote the goals and objectives of SAME, and encourage the advancement of careers in architecture, engineering and construction by connecting college students with professionals in these areas.

Find a student chapter near you

Can't find a SAME student chapter? Take the lead and start one! Find relevant information in Quick Links regarding how to start a Student Chapter in your local school or university.

Students interested in starting a Student Chapter should contact the nearest SAME Post and ask for a mentor to assist them.

Student Chapter Status Report

In order to maintain good communication with the Posts and Student Chapters, it is critical that the SAME National Office remains up-to-date on any Chapter points of contact changes (faculty advisers, student leaders, Chapter mentor). Posts sponsoring Student Chapters are required to submit a Student Chapter Status Report by May 1st and December 1st of each year. For questions, please contact Jill Murphy, Membership and Post Relations.

Virtual Student Chapter

For students not attending one of the institutions hosting physical student chapters, or who want to explore more professional development options, SAME has formed the Virtual Student Chapter (VSC). The Virtual Student Chapter is a boundaryless chapter that provides that provides virtual professional development opportunities for all students at the high school and college level to foster engineering leadership for our nation. VSC webinars and events are open to all students.

See below for the upcoming calendar of events. For more information, contact Andra Clapsaddle, VSC Chair.

Distinguished Student Chapter

The SAME Strategic Plan encourages efforts that "enrich the STEM pipeline for the nation." The Distinguished Student Chapter Award recognizes student chapters that are providing programmatic impact towards that strategic goal. That can include encouraging STEM engagement at the K-12 or post-high school level, and/or developing community projects that engage key stakeholders.

To submit your chapter for consideration, download the Distinguished S.C. Submission Form. Deadline to submit for the 2021-22 cycle is April 15, 2022.

2020-2021 Distinguished Student Chapters

University of Guam (Philippines Field Chapter, Chapter mentor: Kenneth Wheeler)

West Point (NYC Post, Chapter mentor: Michael Scarano)

Congratulations to these exemplars of student chapters!!

Annual Forum on Student Members and Student Chapters

Proceedings from the 2021 Forum

Session 1: Who is the SAME Student Member?, Monday August 16

Join us for a discussion on the different types of student audiences, what draws them to SAME, and how to reach them.

Key Take-aways: Look beyond traditional 4-year universities. Remember the Virtual Student Chapter.
Slides, Recording, Related Link: Student Member Application Page

Session 2: Running a Successful and Sustainable Student Chapter, Tuesday August 17

What are the pieces needed to run a successful and sustainable Student Chapter? How do you keep it going once the current crop of leaders graduate? Listen to a wealth of best practices and get answers from other successful programs.

Key take-aways: Get the local Post involved whenever possible. Recruit sophomores and juniors as officers.
Slides, Recording

Session 3: Transition from Student Member to Professional Member, Wednesday August 18

Best practices for taking student members and transitioning them to professional members.

Key take-away: A solid experience as a student member paves the way for someone to engage at a Young Professional.
Slides, Recording

 

Proceedings from the 2020 Forum (Held August 18-20, 2020)

Session 1: Engaging Student Members, Tuesday, August 18th

Slides, Recording, Chat Log, Related link: Student Member Application Page
Key Take-away: Add a student member to a Post board.

Session 2: Successful Student Chapter/Post Relationships, Wednesday, August 19th

Slides, Recording, Chat Log, Handout: Student Chapter Guidance Manual
Key Take-aways: Create a tab on the Post website for their student chapter; develop student chapter marketing materials; and advertise SAME benefits to faculty advisors as an incentive.

Session 3: Encouraging Student Competition Involvement, Thursday, August 20th

Slides, Recording, Chat Log
Key Take-away: Create an SAME competition based on student senior design projects.



Starting or Restarting a Student Chapters

Student Chapters 101-About Starting or Restarting a Student Chapter
(Presented June 3, 2021)

Student Chapters offer an opportunity for students to start applying what they learn in the classroom into designing innovative solutions to real-world problems. They have the benefit of being able to pull together interdisciplinary teams from across the engineering fields, and from other disciplines like economics, social science, law, and policy, into the problem-solving process.

 

Click here to access the recording. (YouTube)
Click here to access the slides. (PDF)
Click here to access the chat log. (PDF)

If you are interested in starting a student chapter, or reorganizing a current chapter, listen to this insightful webinar. If you have questions or need more assistance, please contact Jeannine Finton, jfinton@same.org.

Post Recruitment Tools

About Student Chapters Slide Deck (PDF)--Posts can use this slide deck when presenting the benefits of starting, or maintaining, a student chapter to the Post board, academic points of contact in the target school, prospective mentors, or potential student members/officers.

Customizable Student Chapter Flyer (Word)--Post can use this flyer when recruiting new members or prospective volunteers. Add a school logo, and it becomes a good handout at recruitment events.

Post leaders, especially chapter mentors, wanting to stay current on the best tools and tricks for effective Chapter operations and programming, should join the College Outreach Community of Interest and participate in the community calls. Details on the recurring, monthly call, and how to join the COI can be found on the College Outreach COI page.


Best Practices

Faculty Advisor Best Practices, produced by Ron Welch (Senior Chapter Advisor, College Outreach COI)

Student Chapter Relationship Best Practices, produced by Mike Scarano (Senior Chapter Mentor, College Outreach COI)

Additional Resources