Advancing computing with a new student club
By Sarah Shoaf, Staff Writer
Looking for a community of other technology career-bound students led freshman Arianna Mcghee to join the new Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) chapter at Governors State University (GovState).
“I wanted to be part of an organization that prioritizes professional growth and provides the resources necessary to succeed in an ever-changing field of technology,” said Arianna, who is considering declaring Information Technology as her major.
ACM supports individuals interested in technology, innovation, and digital transformation across all disciplines. For Arianna, this meant making navigating college and the technology field a little less challenging.
“Having ACM allows for a dedicated space on campus where technology and STEM students can grow professionally and find community,” shared Arianna (pictured right). “It is difficult to navigate the uncertainty of the industry alone, but ACM provides a space for learning, resources, and support, there is absolutely no gatekeeping here!”
The chapter is intended to complement course material by providing hands-on application in STEM fields, something that Lorenzo Vera, a Computer Science major, is hoping to contribute to starting with his Build and Boot computer building competition.
“I have been developing and organizing this event throughout the semester, focusing on planning, coordination, and creating a hands-on competition that challenges students while making learning exciting,” said Lorenzo. “The goal is to give students real experience they can talk about confidently in interviews and internships.”
Bringing activities like this was the inspiration behind the chapter said Tamisha Rose, University Lecturer and the ACM chapter’s faculty advisor. Rose originally chartered the chapter, then Upsilon Pi Epsilon, when she was a student in 2013 and she’s now reviving it under a new name so other students can get industry-related experience.
“How can we best prepare our students for the industry? One thing that sticks out for me is the storm of AI where these companies are implementing it globally,” said Rose. “To prepare our students for this has to be beyond academia.”
She’s hopeful that this chapter will bring out the innovators in students, inspiring them to collaborate and think critically, skills needed in their careers. This mindset is already at the forefront of Lorenzo’s plans for the ACM chapter.
“I am looking forward to building big, exciting projects each semester that energize the tech community at GovState,” said Lorenzo. “I want ACM to be known for fun competitive events, interactive workshops, and experiences that students genuinely look forward to.”
Arianna is also ready to hit the ground running and invite more students to join the chapter.
“As the Social Media Coordinator, I’m hyped to get our name out there so every student knows we’re here and can actually benefit from what we offer,” said Arianna. “I’m really excited to shed light on the brilliant minds on this campus and make sure we have that visibility to make sure we’re an accessible resource for everyone!”
Interested in learning more about GovState ACM chapter? Click here.