What is an engineering professional organization?
Student engineering professional organizations are more than clubs. These organizations aim to further the profession of engineering and the interests of individuals engaged in that field.
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
Connect. Achieve. Inspire. AIAA is a project-based organization focused on expanding education and career opportunities to UC Merced students in the aerospace field. AIAA UC Merced focuses on hands-on experience and providing strategic opportunities of development to its members. It is our mission to prepare our members to reach their fullest potential and help launch their next journey. "One Team, One Dream"
- President: Nathan Ibarra
- Faculty Advisor: Dr. YangQuan Chen
- Feel free to contact us at aiaa@ucmerced.edu
- Visit our website: https://www.aiaaucmerced.org/
American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
ASME is a worldwide nonprofit organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing and skill development across all engineering disciplines while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society.
- President: Jeffrey Cho
- Faculty Advisor:
Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)
BMES promotes education and diversity of the next generation of biomedical engineers and bioengineers, providing guidance and transmitting opportunities for bioengineering students to launch their careers.
- President: Sorina Munteanu
- Faculty Advisor:
National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
NSBE is one of the largest student-run organizations in the world. NSBE aims to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact their communities. NSBE provides members with academic support, professional development and access to a global network of black engineers, scientists, and technologists.
- President: Atnasia Mengistu
- Faculty Advisor: Tomiko Hale
Robotics Society
Robotics Society is a community that creates a hands-on learning environment for students interested in robotics, circuits, programming, design and more. The goal of the Robotics Society is to produce and develop student-driven projects in robotics, providing hands-on experience and application of our studies: electrical, mechanical, computer science and project management. To further that goal, the group aims to become a multi-disciplinary and cohesive organization composed of students from various majors.
- President:
- Faculty Advisor: Dr. YangQuan Chen
Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
UC Merced SAE is a project-based organization that works together to bring automotive-related projects to support engineers on campus. Our organization has an ongoing project (Bobcat Racing EV) that consists of 25 UC Merced students whose goal is to design and construct our first formula-style race car to compete in the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers Electric (FSAE) competitions.Through this main project, our goal is to expose our members to the automotive industry.
- President: Anthony Tsang
- Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ashlie Martini & Dr. Ricardo Pinto de Castro
Solar Energy Association (SEA)
SEA is a solar-project-based organization, with ongoing projects, workshops, fundraisers, and info sessions about solar energy as a whole and solar energy careers. By being a project based organization, SEA provides students a chance to earn hands on experience that may not be obtained in a classroom. Students will get an opportunity to gain skills such as leading groups, learning how to write proposals, using tools they haven’t worked with before, and working in teams. SEA hopes to further benefit the engineering community by bringing more speakers from energy companies, hands-on workshops open to everyone, and projects. To become involved in SEA, please visit our website: solarmerced.wordpress.com.
- President: Heidy Gomez
- Faculty Advisor: Dr. Sarah Kurtz
SHPE @ UC Merced
SHPE is dedicated to the advancement of Hispanics in STEM. Its mission is to change lives by empowering the Hispanic community and to impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support, and development. To further that goal, SHPE aims to provide members with academic support, professional development and access to a global network of Hispanic engineers, scientists, and mathematicians.
- President: Christopher Jimenez Ortega
- Faculty Advisor: Dr. Alejandro Gutierrez
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
SWE provides support and connections for women studying engineering and those already in the engineering field. Its mission is to provide encouragement for women to achieve their full potential as engineers and influential members of society.
- President: Michele Campbell
- Faculty Advisor: Dr. Anita Bhappu
Vanguard
Vanguard is composed of the officers of each of the engineering professional organizations. Vanguard is the "umbrella" organization of the School of Engineering at UC Merced. Its goal is to create a professional environment around student learning and career development.
Current President:
Current Advisor: Karla Gonzalez, Director of Undergraduate Student Services, School of Engineering
Follow Vanguard: