Student Organizations
CEE and Grainger College Student Organizations
At Illinois, engineering students find numerous opportunities to get involved. Organizations offer students a chance to make friends, have fun, and learn something outside of the classroom or lab settings. They also bring students together with faculty, alumni and practicing engineers.
Student organizations sponsor field trips to construction and manufacturing sites, help coordinate Engineering Open House at the University of Illinois, sponsor movies, competitions, and social events, bring in speakers from various engineering fields, and assist in finding summer employment for students. Membership in some student organizations is limited to CEE students, while others are open to the wider Grainger College of Engineering student body.
Explore the student groups below. Your new friends are waiting!
Alpha Omega Epsilon, Engineering Sorority
A professional and social sorority composed of females who have majored in engineering or technical sciences.
American Concrete Institute student chapter
The ACI student chapter is for undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in concrete. The group holds monthly meetings, invites industry professionals to share research findings/projects, and participates in student competitions.
American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association Student Chapter
The goal of this chapter is to expose students to railroad engineering education and the railway industry in order to foster the development of leaders in railroad engineering in North America and throughout the world.
American Society of Civil Engineers student chapter
Civil Engineering students who volunteer around campus, meet with companies biweekly, participate in annual competitions and socialize.
American Society for Engineering Education student chapter
Student chapter of ASEE (American Society for Engineering Education) interested in furthering the quality of engineering education.
ASCE Transportation and Development Institute GSO
A graduate student organization established to strengthen the professional and extracurricular development of graduate students in transportation engineering.
CEE Graduate Student Advisory Council
The CEE Graduate Student Advisory Committee (CEE GSAC) is comprised of students from each sub-discipline within Civil and Environmental Engineering. The committee members meet regularly to discuss concerns and feedback from students, as well as make recommendations to the department on topics such as student involvement, graduate student handbook regulations, and more. Typical GSAC events include happy hours, socials and information sessions with students.
Chi Epsilon
Chi Epsilon is the National Honor Society for the Civil Engineering profession. Members interact with fellow classmates, attend both academic and social events, and view presentations on major Civil Engineering projects from active professionals.
Concrete Canoe Team
Multi-disciplinary student design team which participates in the venerable Concrete Canoe tradition by making a canoe out of concrete and racing the final product in regional and national competitions.
Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) student chapter
Students with an interest in earthquake engineering research; chapter activities include seismic design competitions, seminars/webinars and participation in Engineering Open House.
EIA Bridge Program
A student-run chapter under the international, non-profit organization, Engineers in Action. Students engage in the design and construction of footbridges for rural communities in developing counties.
Engineering Graduate Student Advisory Committee
The Engineering Graduate Student Advisory Committee was formed to help advise the College of Engineering on topics that are important to graduate education and that impact the graduate student experience on campus.
Engineers Without Borders
Engineers Without Borders promotes community-driven engineering projects fostered by local partners for a sustainable global future. Participation in these transformative experiences fosters leadership and personal growth within student members.
Geotechnical Engineering Student Organization
Provides geotech students with a forum to pursue and discuss research interests in a supportive environment. Constructive social interaction is promoted through discussion forums, lectures, meetings and community outreach activities.
Illinois Solar Decathlon
Collegiate team comprised of students from multiple disciplines across campus who engage in USDOE competition to design and build net-zero solar homes. Students also engage in green building projects and educate others about sustainable design and construction.
Institute of Transportation Engineers
A registered student organization to promote diversity in transportation, ITE covers topics such as autonomous vehicles, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), connected and automated vehicle infrastructure, aviation, rail, public transit and many other Smart Mobility-related topics for smart cities.
Interdisciplinary Civil Engineering in Resilience and Sustainability
A group of students and faculty whose shared vision is to establish a dynamic school of thought in civil and environmental engineering that takes an interdisciplinary approach to engineering problems for achieving sustainability and resilience.
International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research
Student chapter of the IAHR, a worldwide independent organisation of engineers and water specialists working in fields related to the hydro-environmental sciences and their practical application.
International Water Resources Association
Student chapter of IWRA, an international network of multidisciplinary experts on water resources.
National Society of Black Engineers student chapter
NSBE offers academic excellence programs, scholarships, leadership training, professional development and access to career opportunities for thousands of members annually.
Illini Railroad Club
Established in 1912, the Illini Railroad Club is open to all students who are interested in rail. Participants also learn more about the department's railroad engineering research center, RailTEC, as well as the student chapter of the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association.
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers student chapter
Students focus on academic excellence, community outreach, chapter development, leadership development and professional development.
Society of Women Engineers student chapter
The SWE is a technical, professional, social, and outreach organization. Campus events include Girl Scout Workshops, corporate and career workshops, social activities and an annual technical project competition.
Steel Bridge Team
The annual Steel Bridge Competition challenges civil engineering students to design, fabricate and construct the most structurally efficient and economic bridge. This competition offers future civil and structural engineers the opportunity to develop their skills in steel design, fabrication and teamwork.
Structural Engineering Graduate Student Organization
An organization created by graduate students to improve the graduate school experience. The group organizes and plans professional, academic and social events for the betterment of Structural Engineering graduate students at Illinois.
Tau Beta Pi Engineering Society
A national engineering honor society marked by distinguished scholarship and exemplary character. Members are actively involved on campus, in the college, and within the community.
Other Links of Interest
Engineering Council →
Engineering Council is a union of engineering societies and committees dedicated to enriching the student collegiate experience through a distinctive array of programs and services.
Women in Engineering →
Women in Engineering is a college-wide program dedicated to providing a welcoming and supportive environment for female students in the College.
Morrill Engineering Program →
The group aims to empower and support African American, Hispanic and Native American engineering students, and leverage a community of students, staff and alumni to achieve excellence.
Engineering Student Alumni Ambassadors →
Engineering Student Alumni Ambassadors plan and host events and programs to increase student-alumni relations.
IPENG →
IPENG is the International Programs in Engineering Office. The Office provides international opportunities to students within the College of Engineering.
Engineering Open House →
Engineering Open House is an annual student-led event featuring two days of exhibits and competitions that showcase the talent and ingenuity of engineering students at the University of Illinois.
Broaden your horizons
Engineering students aren’t limited to just engineering student groups. University-wide, there are over 1,000 Registered Student Organizations. You can find friends from across campus with similar interests, stay involved with your hobbies, or try something totally new. There’s no limit to what you can discover.
We CU Community Engaged Scholars
We CU empowers students to make a positive impact in the community while building their resume/CV and enriching their university experience. Track the service hours you are already doing through your academic or extracurricular activities, choose from a variety of available virtual opportunities, or develop a project that addresses a community need.