Student Organizations are a valuable part of the education of an engineering student. These organizations provide many opportunities for a student to enhance his or her education and to prepare themselves for entry into the engineering profession.

Belonging to a student organization provides a student with the opportunity to get to know students and faculty within their majors and also to hear outside professionals who come to campus to make presentations. There are also several organizations that span all engineering majors and provide students the opportunity to develop teamwork skills and to develop a better sense of what each engineering discipline does.

Networking opportunities available in these organizations allow students to establish life-long friendships and can aid in finding a job after graduation. Students can also gain insight into the courses he or she will have to take by talking to fellow students who have already taken the courses.

Membership in engineering student organizations is strongly encouraged. A student should belong to the technical organization representing their major as well as a professional organization representing all engineering fields. Membership dues are typically very low and special pricing is usually available for upgrading membership to the parent organization upon graduation.

Listed below are the engineering student organizations available at Mississippi State. A brief description of each organization is provided and some contact information is given if you wish to obtain additional information. The first name given is that of the faculty advisor followed by the name of the president or chair of the organization. You should first review the Web page for more information on the organization, then contact the student president or chair. If neither of these sources help you then you should contact the faculty advisor.

 

Air & Waste Management Association
Dr. Mark Bricka
The Air & Waste Management Association is a nonprofit professional organization that enhances knowledge and expertise by providing a neutral forum for information exchange, professional development, networking opportunities, public education, and outreach. The Mississippi State University student chapter of the A&WMA is an interdisciplinary organization whose mission is to assist in the professional development and environmental decision-making of our members.

Alpha Pi Mu Industrial Engineering Honors Society
Dr. Burak Eksioglu
Alpha Pi Mu is the nationally recognized honor society for the Industrial Engineering profession. Membership is by invitation. The goals of the society are several and can be found on the web page.

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Dr. James Newman
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is a national organization open to all students, faculty, and professionals interested in the aerospace field. The August Raspet Student Branch of the AIAA offers meetings and events for its student members. Interested high school, undergraduate, and graduate students are eligible for membership. Student activities offer the chance to learn more about the aerospace field through participation in local, regional, and national meetings, lectures, and field trips.

American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Dr. Bill Elmore
The American Institute for Chemical Engineering (AIChE) is the professional organization for chemical engineers. At chapter meetings, members interact with other ChE students and professionals from industry, government, and academia. Plant trips, food, and fun are part of the activities. AIChE is a great way to get to know upper classmen and professors within chemical engineering.

American Society of Civil Engineers
Dr. Seamus Freyne
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) is the umbrella professional and technical society representing the needs and interests of civil engineers worldwide. The national award winning student chapter at MSU provides the Web site as a way for interested individuals to find out more about the profession and the chapter's activities through content and links to other resources.

American Society of Mechanical Engineers
Dr. Sundar Krishnan
The student chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is a student-led professional organization dedicated to providing a student forum for the exchange of professional engineering information and the development of student leadership abilities. The chapter is very active in several areas of service to the university, including recruitment, preparation for professional engineering registration, and service to the national ASME.

Associated General Contractors of America (AGC)
Dr. Islam H. El-adaway
The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) has a vision to promote a better construction industry for the professionals who build America's future.  AGC serves our nation's construction professionals by promoting the highest stand of skill, integrity and responsibility of those who work in this industry.  Their goal is to insure the integrity of the constructed product, and foster a positive relationship between the systems they build and the society which is dependent upon these systems.

Association for Computing Machinery
Dr. David Dampier
The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) is a professional society for Computer Scientists and is the oldest computer organization that exists today. ACM provides for social activities, community services, hosts presentations from various corporations, offers tutoring sessions for lower-level classes and other activities to promote a sense of unity and friendship among the students, faculty, and staff.

Chemical Engineering Graduate Association
Dr. Jason Keith
The Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Association provides information and support to current and potential graduate students in the Dave C. Swalm School of Chemical Engineering. The organization fosters academic, professional, and personal development through activities such as meetings with academic and industrial professionals, trips to conferences, and social functions. The organization encourages unity among the graduate students and provides an outlet for voicing graduate students issues in the School of Chemical Engineering.

Chi Epsilon National Civil Engineering Honor Society
Dr. Tom White
Chi Epsilon is the national civil engineering honorary society dedicated to maintaining and promoting the status of civil engineering as an ideal profession. Chi Epsilon was organized to recognize the characteristics of the individual civil engineer deemed to be fundamental to the successful pursuit of an engineering career, and to aid in the development of those characteristics in the civil engineering student; competence of the highest order, the highest level of professionalism and service, moral integrity, and effective social poise.

Engineers Without Borders (EWB)
Dr. Dennis Truax
Engineers Without Borders (EWB) is a volunteer organization with 350 projects in over 45 developing countries, changing the lives of millions of people around the world.  EWB's vision is that of a world in which the communities we serve have the capacity to sustainably meet their basic human needs, and that our members have enriched global perspectives through the innovative professional educational opportunities that the EWB provides.  Membership consists of professionals and students from a variety of professions including engineering, public health, anthropology and business working on innovative professional projects that provide a global perspective through chapters on more than 180 campuses throughout the United States. EWB supports community-driven development programs worldwide by collaborating with local partners to design and implement sustainable engineering projects, while creating transformative experiences and responsible leaders, through the delivery of smaller scale infrastructure projects within an overall community program framework.

Engineering Ambassadors
Robert Green
The Mississippi State University College of Engineering Ambassadors is a group of engineering students who assist the college in developing and maintaining alumni relationships as well as aid in the recruitment of potential engineering students.

Engineering Student Council
Robert Green
The Engineering Student Council (ESC) is the main engineering student organization on the campus of Mississippi State University. The ESC consists of members from each major on campus and one representative from each engineering student organization on campus. The ESC's main goals are to act as a liaison between the students and the dean of engineering, provide activities for the benefit of engineering students, and to promote the College of Engineering.

Entrepreneurship Club
Gerald Nelson
The Entrepreneurship Club is student organization that seeks to promote learning about the entrepreneurial process among engineering and computer science students. Meetings are held monthly. The activities include hosting the speakers for the Entrepreneurship Seminar Series, organizing the Business Plan Competition, and pursuing other topics of interest.

Eta Kappa Nu
Dr. Randy Follett
Eta Kappa Nu is both an honor society and a service organization for electrical and computer engineering. By participating in chapter activities, members help both themselves and others. Membership is by invitation only and all qualified students are invited to join each membership.

Increasing Minority Access to Graduate Education (IMAGE)
Angela Verdell

Institute of Biological Engineering
Dr. Filip To
The Institute of Biological Engineering (IBE) is a student organization that encourages inquiry and interesting biological engineering. IBE promotes scholarship in education, research, and service. Meetings are held monthly and members are encouraged to participate in activities throughout the semester.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Jane Moorehead
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is a national organization open to all students, faculty, and professionals in the fields of electrical and computer engineering. The student branch of IEEE offers meetings and events for EE, CPE, and CS. These meetings provide students with an opportunity to view what type of work is being done in the electrical engineering field, and what type of companies do work in the electrical engineering field.

Institute of Industrial Engineers
Dr. John Usher
The Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE) is the world's largest professional society dedicated solely to the support of the industrial engineering profession and individuals involved with improving quality and productivity. The benefits of the student chapter include meeting with other IIE students and other professional IIE members, speakers, plant tours, and out-of-state trips.

Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)
Dr. Li Zhang
The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) is an international educational and scientific association of transportation professionals responsible for meeting mobility and safety needs of society.  ITE promotes the application of technology and scientific principles to research, planning, design, construction, and operation of all modes of transportation. ITE also promotes professional development of its members, supports and encourages education, stimulates research, develops public awareness of the importance of the nation's transportation infrastructure. 

National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE)
Dr. Hossein Togiani
The primary purpose of the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE) is to initiate and support local, regional, national, and global programs that assist people of color in fully realizing their potential in academic, professional, and entrepreneurial pursuits in chemistry, chemical engineering, and related fields! The Organization promotes careers in science and technology as an achievable goal for elementary, middle, and high school students. In addition, NOBCChE encourages college students to pursue graduate degrees in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

National Society of Black Engineers
Angela Verdell

National Society of Professional Engineers
Robert Green
The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) is an organization that focuses on all engineering disciplines. NSPE encourages professional registration and is actively involved in promoting the ethical practice of engineering. NSPE is also placing a strong emphasis on the image of engineers and promoting the engineering profession. Two major events sponsored by NSPE are Mathcounts, a national math competition for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, and National Engineers Week.

Omega Chi Epsilon
Dr. Rebecca Toghiani
Omega Chi Epsilon is the chemical engineering honor society. The organization seeks to recognize excellence in chemical engineering while promoting investigation, service, and professionalism. The local chapter has tutored students within the department and worked with a local school in preparation for the MATHCOUNTS program.

Order of the Engineer Link 126
Dr. Dennis Truax
Robert A. Green
The Order of the Engineer exist to foster a spirit of pride and responsibility in the engineering profession. It is not a club and does not hold meetings. Seniors in engineering are invited to accept the Obligation of an Engineer at an annual induction ceremony. At the ceremony the engineering students are presented with a certificate and a stainless steel ring which is worn on the littler finger of their working hand.

Sigma Gamma Tau
Dr. David Bridges
Sigma Gamma Tau is the national honorary society for students and professionals in aerospace engineering. Sigma Gamma Tau seeks to promote academic achievement and professionalism in the field of aerospace engineering. Membership is by invitation to the top fifth of the aerospace sophomore class, the top fourth of junior class, the top third of the senior class, and to graduate students who have completed at least two-fifths of their coursework.

Society of Automotive Engineers
Dr. Mark Horstemeyer
The student branch of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) provides a connection between the university of those involved in the art of engineering practice for car, truck, tractor, airplane, and other mobile equipment. The primary activities include the design, construction, and race of Mini Baja and SAE Formula cars. Secondary activities include meetings and trips to companies in these endeavors.

Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
Dr. Jario Diaz
The Society for Hispanic Professional Engineers is dedicated to increasing the number of Hispanics in the field of engineering, improve the retention of Hispanic students in the engineering professional, and providing opportunities for the professional development of chapter members.

Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE)
Dr. Hossein Togiani
The Society of Plastics is an association of professionals who are engaged in the y plastics industries. The goals of SPE are to spread knowledge, strengthen skills, and promote plastics. The objective of the Society is to promote the scientific and engineering knowledge relating to plastics.

Society of Women Engineers
Dr. Donna Reese
The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) is service organization that focuses on supporting women in engineering and encouraging the future women in engineering.

Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS)
Dr. William H. McAnally
The Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) is a nonprofit scientific and educational organization advocating conservation professionals and science-based conservation practice, programs, and policies.  SWCS members include: researchers, administrators, planners, policymakers, technical advisors, teachers, students, farmers, and ranchers. Chapters conduct a variety of activities at the grassroots level to address land and water conservation issues.

Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society
Dr. J.W. Bruce

Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity
Mike Nosser
Theta Tau Co-Ed Professional Engineering Fraternity is devoted to bringing together students of the engineering fields in a strong bond of fraternal fellowship while developing a high standard of professional interest. Theta Tau is unique because it allows members the opportunity to interact regularly with students in other engineering fields in a fraternal way that no other engineering group can offer. Please check the website for details about joining.

Toastmasters
Gerald Nelson
The Bulldog Toastmasters club is affiliated with Toastmasters International. The organization is sponsored by the College of Engineering, and the charge from the college and Toastmasters International is to develop skills and confidence in the members to effectively communicate ideas and information in a public forum. Bulldog Toastmasters meets weekly on alternate Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. Membership is open to the university and the Starkville area.

Upsilon Pi Epsilon Computing Sciences Honor Society
Dr. Ioana Banicescu
Upsilon Pi Epsilon (UPE) is an honorary society established to recognize outstanding talent and promote high scholarship and professionalism in the computing sciences. UPE is the first and remains the only international honor society for the computing sciences, and is recognized by ACM and IEEE computer societies. Membership in UPE is extended through invitation to students and faculty in computer science and computer engineering who display outstanding scholarship and professionalism.