Engineering Week Spotlight: Celebrating the Heart of CU Denver Engineering, Our Student Organizations

At the College of Engineering, Design & Computing (CEDC) at the University of Colorado Denver, Engineering Week is about more than the way innovation and excellence in the classroom transforms our futures; it’s a celebration of the connections, collaborations, and communities that make our engineering experience truly exceptional.

At the heart of our college is a thriving ecosystem of student organizations, each creating opportunities for professional growth, real‑world experience, and long‑lasting friendships. From hands‑on projects to professional development, cultural affinity groups to national engineering societies, these groups are where engineers are made, not just educated.

Meet the Engineering Student Organizations at CU Denver

Tau Beta Pi — The Engineering Honor Society (TBP)

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

ASCE at CU Denver connects civil engineering students with the heart of the infrastructure industry.

As a professional community, ASCE members develop project experience and career insight, building networks that help transform classroom learning into career opportunities.

Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

SWE champions the advancement of women in engineering, fostering confidence, mentorship, and professional growth across all disciplines. On campuses nationwide and at CU Denver, SWE provides a space where women engineers support one another through study groups, outreach events, networking sessions, and professional panels, reinforcing that no engineer should ever go it alone.

Artificial Intelligence Student Association (AISA)

The Artificial Intelligence Student Association brings together students who are passionate about machine learning, data science, and the rapidly evolving world of intelligent systems. Through hands-on projects, technical workshops, and conversations around the ethical implications of AI, members move beyond theory and into real application.

 “My major is in computer science so I was really interesed in AI and any machine learning,” says Jason Ma technical officer and treasurer for Ai Student association. “I really want to spread my knowledge to other student or we can gain more knowledge together as a community.”

The organization creates an accessible entry point for students at all levels, whether they are just beginning to explore Python and data models or building advanced neural networks. By pairing technical depth with peer collaboration, AISA helps students build both competence and confidence in one of engineering’s most transformative fields.

National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)

The National Society of Black Engineers chapter at CU Denver has become one of the college’s most impactful communities for belonging and career readiness.

“The underrepresentation of Black students in STEM is a critical issue,” says Anis Benyoucef, mechanical engineering student and former NSBE president. “NSBE provided me with valuable space to learn not only about practical skills but also about myself, my interests, and my aspirations in the field of mechanical engineering.”

Member Zahra Abdullahi adds, “We share what we learn. It’s not unheard of me getting a call at 11 p.m. with questions about filling out FAFSA. We help each other out. That’s what family does.”

From late-night support to national conferences that lead directly to internship offers, NSBE demonstrates how community transforms potential into professional opportunity.

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)

SHPE’s influence stretches from Denver to national stages, where CU Denver engineering students have represented the university with pride and success.

At the 2025 SHPE National Conference, SHPE members engaged with recruiters, landed interviews, and formed connections that directly support their career ambitions, outcomes that reflect SHPE’s emphasis on networking and empowerment.

Being part of SHPE here at CU Denver has allowed me to connect with fellow Hispanic students pursuing engineering, fostering both academic and professional growth,” says former SHPE president David Malfavon. “I managed to secure two interviews on the spot.”

Member and attendee of the 2025 SHPE conference Kameren Kelly reflects on the broader impact: “CU Denver has so many resources dedicated to creating communities for engineers that also have national conferences (SWE, NSBE, SASE, SHPE). It is very important for students to attend networking/workshop events at school, build resumes/portfolios, and find leadership roles.”

These experiences reinforce how SHPE fosters both professional preparedness and a sense of belonging.

Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE)

SASE builds community and professional engagement for Asian and allied students pursuing careers in science and engineering. Through leadership opportunities, networking events, and cultural programming, SASE fosters belonging while equipping members with tools for career advancement.

“SASE has genuinely changed our CU Denver experience,” says Lisa Cho, Chloe Ha, Sybil Raphael, and David Yee, winners of the Grand Prize at STEM Connect hackathon last Fall. “We often talk about how grateful we are to have joined SASE and had the opportunity to go to Pittsburgh and work together as a team. SASE has provided us with so many opportunities to develop professionally. We’ve attended career panels, networking events, and workshops that have helped us prepare for our futures.”

The organization highlights the importance of representation and shared support in achieving academic and professional success.

Building Expertise Across Every Discipline

From cybersecurity labs to construction sites, transportation corridors to biomedical research, CEDC student organizations give students space to test what they’re learning, grow their network, and discover where they want to go next.

CU Denver Lynx Robotics

Lynx Robotics is where mechanical design, electrical systems, and software all come together in one fast-paced, student-led environment. Team members collaborate to design, build, and program competitive robots, often balancing fabrication, coding, testing, and strategy all at once. Students gain hands-on experience with CAD, manufacturing, embedded systems, and autonomous programming — but just as importantly, they learn how to work as a coordinated engineering team under real deadlines. Whether preparing for competition or refining a prototype, Lynx Robotics gives students the kind of practical, high-pressure experience that mirrors the collaborative reality of modern engineering workplaces.

Transamerica Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics Student Club (TCSC)

TCSC is a hands-on community for students interested in cybersecurity, ethical hacking, and digital forensics. Members explore real-world threat scenarios, practice incident response skills, and learn directly from professionals working in the field. Whether analyzing vulnerabilities or discussing emerging cyber risks, students gain practical insight into how security engineering protects businesses, governments, and individuals every day.

Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE)

As part of the Institute of Transportation Engineers, CU Denver’s ITE chapter introduces students to the systems that move people and goods. From traffic operations and roadway design to emerging mobility technologies, members engage with practicing engineers, attend technical talks, and explore how infrastructure decisions shape communities. It’s a gateway into the evolving world of transportation engineering.

WTS (Women’s Transportation Seminar)

Affiliated with WTS International, WTS supports women pursuing careers in transportation and infrastructure. Through mentorship, networking events, and industry engagement, students connect with professionals across engineering, planning, and logistics. The organization creates space for honest conversations about career pathways while building strong professional networks.

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

As a chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery, ACM brings computing students together to collaborate on projects, host workshops, and explore emerging technologies. Members share coding techniques, prepare for technical interviews, and work on side projects that stretch beyond coursework. It’s a space where curiosity drives experimentation and experimentation builds skill.

Associated General Contractors of Colorado (AGC)

Connected to Associated General Contractors of Colorado, the student chapter gives future construction managers and engineers direct exposure to industry leaders. Students attend jobsite tours, hear from construction executives, and learn how projects move from blueprint to build. The experience helps bridge the gap between classroom theory and large-scale project execution.

Construction Management Association of America (CMAA)

Through its ties to Construction Management Association of America, CMAA introduces students to the leadership side of construction and infrastructure. Members learn about scheduling, budgeting, risk management, and stakeholder coordination — the behind-the-scenes work that determines whether complex projects succeed. It’s an inside look at how engineering plans become operational realities.

Society for Biomaterials

This organization supports students interested in medical materials and emerging healthcare technologies. Members explore how materials interact with the human body, discuss research developments, and connect with peers working at the intersection of engineering and life sciences.

Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)

BMES connects students to the broader biomedical engineering community. Through research discussions, industry panels, and professional networking, members gain insight into how devices, diagnostics, and therapeutic technologies move from concept to patient care.

Women in Neural Engineering (WiNE)

WiNE supports students working at the intersection of neuroscience and engineering. By fostering mentorship and collaboration, the group strengthens representation in a rapidly advancing field that blends electrical engineering, biology, and data science. Students share research interests, explore graduate pathways, and build confidence in a specialized discipline.

CEDC Dean’s Student Advisory Council (DSAC)

The Dean’s Student Advisory Council gives students a direct voice in shaping the future of the college. Members meet with leadership, provide feedback on initiatives, and advocate for the student experience. It’s a leadership opportunity rooted not in theory, but in action, ensuring that CEDC continues to evolve with student needs at the center.

Together, these organizations reflect the full spectrum of engineering and computing at CU Denver. They give students room to explore, to lead, and to find their professional footing long before graduation.

A Community That Builds Engineers and Leaders

Across all organizations the message is clear: involvement leads to opportunity. These organizations are where friendships are formed, skills are sharpened, and careers begin, making the engineering journey at CU Denver rich, connected, and transformational.

Engineering student organizations represent the networking, community, mentorship, and real-world experience that elevate the academic journey. They give students a home within a rigorous academic environment and a launchpad into careers with purpose.

As we celebrate Engineering Week across campus, we honor the organizations that bring people together and commit to continuing to build the community that engineers the future.

Join a CEDC student organization and experience how engineering transforms your future.  Explore student organizations at CU Denver’s College of Engineering, Computing and Design.