Student Organizations

BCOE Student Organizations

Find Your Community of Engineers

Student organizations at the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering (BCOE) are more than extracurricular activities—they are where students connect, collaborate, and grow as future engineers.

Through hands-on engineering projects, professional networking, industry engagement, and community outreach, BCOE organizations help students develop technical skills, leadership experience, and lasting friendships.

From nationally recognized professional societies to innovative student-led teams, these communities reflect the diversity and creativity of engineering. Every BCOE student has an opportunity to get involved, build their skills, and help shape the future of technology.

Why Join a Student Organization?

BCOE student organizations help students build skills, expand networks, and explore career opportunities through hands-on experiences.

Projects

Student organizations design and build innovative engineering solutions through hands-on projects and technical competitions. These experiences strengthen problem-solving skills, promote teamwork, and often lead to real-world applications.

male and female students lined up to check in

Professional Development

Clubs host networking events, industry tours, guest speakers, and skill-building workshops that help students prepare for careers in engineering or graduate school.

engineering and elementary students working on a project

K–12 Outreach

Many organizations engage with local schools to promote STEM education. These outreach activities inspire future engineers while helping BCOE students develop leadership, mentorship, and communication skills.

Start Your Own BCOE Student Organization

What is a BCOE recognized organization?

A professional club, organization, or society is defined as an organized group functioning under approved bylaws with a faculty advisor within the College, its officers are primarily BCOE majors (50% min), and its membership consists of over 70% BCOE majors. The organization is self-funded and not part of a grant or research project.
What qualifications do you need to be a BCOE recognized organization?
- Minimum two complete cycles of leadership change (i.e., two previous presidents and one current president).
- Official Student Life organization.
- Minimum of 10 active undergraduate BCOE students.
- History of external/internal funding strategies. The organization should be self-funded, not under a grant or existing college program.
- BCOE Faculty mentor (preferred) or staff mentor.
- Professional/National chapters/organizations are preferred. This means the organization is recognized or associated with a larger chapter, either nationally or internationally. IEEE at UCR is part of the larger organization, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, which is an American 501 (c) (3) professional association for electronics engineering, electrical engineering, and other related disciplines.
Perks of being a recognized BCOE organization
- Participation within Match Challenge, a month-long fundraising event exclusive to BCOE recognized organizations.
- Use of the BCOE conference room spaces for events and/or meetings, including weekend events, with proper approvals.
- Professional training and support for event hosting, leadership techniques, conference preparation, and safe execution of projects for competitions.
How to apply?

Apply form: https://forms.gle/Hrt8aWGdGXwsGDia9.
Deadlines and review process

Applications will open during Spring Quarter. The closing date for applications will match with the last day of the Spring Quarter.
The Professional Development Coordinator (PDC) will review applications as part of the first review and will provide feedback if needed. Once approved by the PDC, it will be reviewed by the Director of Student Success and then taken to the BCOE Associate Dean of Student Academic Affairs. If approved by both, it will then be sent to the BCOE Dean for final approval.
Reviews will occur over the Summer, and if fully approved to be a BCOE recognized organization, the new club will be required to attend Leadership Council Fall training and be introduced to the LC as an official organization.

Student Organization Awards

Outstanding Organization of the Year
This organization has outstandingly shown exemplary behavior by following all policies and procedures. They have effectively communicated with college staff, faculty, and students and conducted themselves with honor and respect. The organization's leadership has gone above and beyond to create a positive structure within its organization as well as create a welcoming environment for all students interested in getting involved.
1. BCOE organization that demonstrates a strong sense of inclusivity.
2. Hosted events that positively impacted the BCOE community.
3. Followed proper protocols and policies and is viewed as a pillar of the BCOE community that other organizations strive to model.
Recipients
- 2025: Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
- 2024: Highlander Space Program (HSP)
- 2023: American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
Leader of the Year
Demonstrated outstanding commitment and leadership to their organization. They embodied the UCR Principles of Community and Tartan Soul values. They seek to improve the community surrounding them. Their words align with their actions, and they are respected members of the BCOE community
1. BCOE affiliate that has been involved with research, student organizations, college efforts, and/or outreach events.
2. Student demonstrated initiative and responsibility.
3. Strong and proactive communication with peers and college staff/faculty.
4. Clear understanding and enforcement of BCOE policies and procedures.
5. Be in good academic standing, with a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Recipients
- 2025: Pajaka Lakshmin
- 2024: Eric Huitt
- 2023: Rachel Itow
People's Choice Award
An organization that embodies inclusivity, trust, vulnerability, cares about its community, and the well-being of others. Offers opportunities for their members to grow professionally and personally. This organization is a model for other organizations to lean on and seek advice from.
1. Recognized BCOE student organization.
2. Followed proper protocols and policies and is viewed as a pillar of the BCOE community that other organizations strive to match.
Recipients
- 2025: Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
Event of the Year
A BCOE student organization sponsored an event that demonstrated an outstanding sense of community among students, the community, and/or the college. The event followed all protocols and procedures to execute a successful and engaging event for all.
1. Event followed all policies and procedures.
2. Received positive feedback and met the intended goal/purpose for the event.
3. Had an impact on its intended audience.
Recipients
- 2025: Rose Hack - Women in Computing (WINC)
- 2024: Sprout and About - Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), and BCOE Leadership Council
- 2023: Dodgeball Tournament - Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)
Most Improved
An organization that has developed and implemented strategies that have positively improved its overall organization. They have significantly increased student participation, maintained retention of new students, and incorporated new opportunities for engagement.
1. An active organization for the last 2 years.
2. Implemented innovative ideas to increase the general body members.
3. Demonstrated ability to learn and follow policies.
4. Made a significant effort to highlight and promote their organization.
5. Fundraising techniques improved to create a steady and foundational budget.
Recipients
- 2025: Women In Computing (WINC)
- 2024: Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
- 2023: Highlander Space Program (HSP)
Community Engagement
An organization that has positively impacted the BCOE/UCR community by engaging engineering students beyond the classroom.
1. An organization that has approached and collaborated with the BCOE community beyond its organizational responsibilities.
2. Hosted an event that was open to all students and engaged their participation.
3. Provided new opportunities for students to connect and network.
Recipients
- 2025: American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
- 2024: Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)
- 2023: Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
K-12 Outreach
A BCOE student organization sponsored event that emphasized the importance of bridging the connection with the surrounding community and students in K-12. The event followed all protocols and procedures to execute a successful and engaging event for their intended audience.
1. An organization that has demonstrated a focused contribution to the future generation of students.
2. Planned and executed successful events/programs that ignite interest in the world of engineering.
3. Developed and maintained positive connections with the surrounding community and local schools.
Recipients
- 2025: Bourns Next Generation Outreach - Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES)
- 2024: Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
- 2023: National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
Outstanding Project
A BCOE student organization sponsored project that engineering students have developed. This project should have been carefully planned and executed to its full completion. The Project Plan ensured a safe and hands-on experience for students. The project provided a welcoming experience for all skill levels, helped build new skills, and allowed the development of management skills.
1. Project followed all guidelines and safety protocols as well as college policies and procedures.
2. The project is not based on a program or grant.
3. Positively represents BCOE to the rest of the community and/or at competition.
Recipients
- 2025: Chem E Car - American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
- 2024: Solar Boat - Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)