A New Fund Helps IEEE-HKN Student Chapters Flourish

University chapters are the lifeblood of IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu, the organization's honor society. There are 269 chapters at universities worldwide.

A strong chapter helps ensure that members have a fulfilling experience. For the 2021-2022 academic year, IEEE-HKN chapters reported approximately 92,000 hours of activity and service, much more than the previous year-when chapters reported approximately 62,000 hours-and other years.

The chapters engaged in a variety of virtual and in-person activities including preuniversity functions, as well as joint activities with IEEE student branches.

Chapters can strengthen the IEEE-HKN organization while setting into motion a pipeline of engaged members who are prepared and motivated to enhance their volunteer experience throughout their career.

Support provided by universities to chapters varies widely, however-which can limit activities. The IEEE-HKN Student Chapter Support Initiative was established through the IEEE Foundation to address the issue. The dedicated fund paves the way for creating new resources and enhancing existing ones, plus training and programs to help every chapter thrive.

The two facets of the initiative are the Student Chapter Support Grant program and the supplemental Chapter Success Program.

Grants help UC-Berkeley, the University of Texas, and others

The grant program funds activities designed to support and strengthen chapters. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The first grants have been awarded to fund programs including chapter-building and visibility activities, mentoring, and alumni engagement events.

The officers of the Mu Chapter at the University of California, Berkeley, spent the money to offset the cost of announcement whiteboards, which it uses to increase the visibility of its tutoring programs and events.

Officers at the Mu Iota Chapter at Seattle University used the grant to help pay for an electrical and computer engineering mentoring event it held. At the evening event, students met with industry professionals. The night was the chapter's most-attended event to date.

For the Delta Omega Chapter at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the grant went toward its annual induction ceremony and banquet. The event brings students, faculty, and alumni together to recognize induction candidates' hard work.

Later this year, the University of Texas Arlington's Epsilon Mu Chapter plans to hold career development events for students. Chapter officers say they will use the grant money to enhance their resume-building and interview-preparation workshops and to present a discussion about technology by industry representatives.

Training and coaching resources

The Chapter Success program provides training and coaching resources. The program makes it possible for universities to establish new chapters and reinstate dormant ones. Since January, HKN volunteers and staff have been coaching 18 chapters on how to revitalize their activities, as students began returning to campus after staying home because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A new HKN chapter, Nu Epsilon, was installed in April at Kennesaw State University, in Georgia. The Gamma Lambda Chapter at Columbia inducted new members for the first time in at least seven years. The University of Colorado, Boulder, Rho Chapter marked the 100th anniversary of its installation this year by working to reactivate operations on campus.

Donations welcome

IEEE Life Fellow John McDonald, a Beta Chapter member, and his wife, Jo-Ann, provided the first gift to the dedicated fund. Consider joining the McDonalds and make a contribution to the Student Chapter Support Fund from the list of donor opportunities on the IEEE-HKN website.

Remember, if you were inducted into the honor society you remain a member forever, even if you have lost touch. You can reconnect by completing this form.

Visit the IEEE-HKN website to learn more about forming a chapter at your university or being inducted as a professional member.