Check out the CSE Group Awards!
Congratulations to the CSE student groups and individuals recognized for their achievements and dedication to student engagement over the past academic year. Nearly 80 CSE student organizations work to engage students and build transferable skills that will set them apart from the others.
Most Improved Student Group: oSTEM at the University of Minnesota
- oSTEM has thrived under its current leadership and has shown improvements in funding support, event attendance (three times more than last year), and growth and sustainability. The group has increased the number of industry connections and offers many professional development opportunities such as career panels. President Lauren Hagen spurred administrative changes that will support the longevity of the group. oSTEM provides a strong sense of community for LGBTQIA2S+ students within CSE and provides significant resources to assist students with their social, academic, and professional goals.
- This long-term initiative began with the organizing groups spending months in preparation, discussing plans with internal members, organizing with CSE Student Services, and organizing outreach to targeted populations. The event was deemed a success with a strong attendance of more than fifty people and great discussion. Industry panelists shared advice and information on building support networks, perseverance, and allyship. Event reviews included those from panelists who were impressed by the students' passion for DEI, as well as from students who indicated they felt inspired. Congratulations to SWE and Women of Color in STEM!
- Riley Vaughn, Biomedical Engineering Society
Vaughn, president of the Biomedical Engineering Society, is described as a welcoming, compassionate, and positive person. Her nomination praises her work in rejuvenating the group and mentoring new students entering the major. She has demonstrated strong organizational skills while providing great leadership and making sure that other leaders in the organization are recognized for their contributions. She has provided BME students with a tight-knit community engaging with faculty, industry partners, and peers. - Gaven House, Rocket Team
House is recognized for his outstanding performance in numerous roles on the Rocket Team this year. He led an engaging new member orientation project that included more than three times the number of members from previous years. His nomination notes his genuine care for the experience and success of everyone on the team. House also stepped up as a new project lead later in the year, and his nominator noted that he was able to exceed all expectations and how the project thrived under his leadership. He is noted for his dedication, hard work, focus on inclusivity, and a willingness to go above and beyond.
- This year’s Outstanding Student Group Advisor is Marc Skjervem, advisor to the Science and Engineering Student Board. Skjervem is a new advisor to the SESB and is recognized as a very kind-hearted, friendly, and approachable individual. He helps the board increase its scope by providing officers with in-depth knowledge and transparency about CSE administration and parties of interest to the group. He offers advice and suggests how executive members of the board can communicate with CSE administration to better achieve the board’s goal. Overall, Skjervem has helped the group be better advocates for their fellow students and supports the board to become better leaders.
- The Society of Women Engineers has a demonstrated record of outstanding achievement this year. This year alone, the group hosted 140 events reaching 488 individual University students. The group also showcases the benefits that their members receive both on and off-campus through leadership, teamwork, professional development, outreach, and more. Members have said, “SWE made me into a more confident and well-rounded human being, and gave me friendships and memories that I will cherish forever. SWE made me proud to be a female engineer, and I cannot imagine my life without it!”
CSE Student Services
612-624-5091
csess@umn.edu
