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Stanford and Professional Societies for Underrepresented Science Researchers: Stanford Student Groups and Organizations

Discover community in organizations and student groups on and off Stanford campus.

General Science

     Stanford Chapter of American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)

Established in 1983, the chapter has aimed to increase the representation and participation of American Indian and Alaskan Native students in STEM by promoting research and learning through community and networking events. AISES holds weekly networking lunches that focus on connecting students with opportunities and resources. The chapter also aids Stanford students in attending the AISES national conference held annually.

     Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) Chapter 

The mission of the chapter is to foster the success of underrepresented scientists in attaining advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in STEM. They focus on establishing community amongst students alumni so that they may share knowledge, inspire youth, and develop personal and professional skills. Programming includes: touring professional campus’, research panels, faculty lunches, general meetings, and lunch discussions with professionals.

 

Out in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (oSTEM)                       

oSTEM is the Stanford chapter of the national student society Out in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics dedicated to increasing the participation and serving sexual and gender minority students in the STEM fields. The goals of this chapter are to foster success: in leadership, academic pursuits, and professional activity of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Two-Spirited, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTTQQIA)+ Ally communities at Stanford. The chapter focuses on providing services and support, networking between students and professionals in industry and academia, career preparation, and addressing the needs of those historically underrepresented.

Environment and Energy

Students for Environmental and Racial Justice (SERJ)

SERJ is a student committee focused on environmental and racial justice issues inspired by the climate strike in March 2019. Working from the rally held in April 15th surrounding the strike, they continue to focus on engaging members of the Stanford community with environmental justice. Many of their events surround topics such as: encouraging students to support EJ and RJ awareness, acting in solidarity with local and global Indigenous Sovereignty movements, and acting in solidarity with racial justice efforts at and beyond Stanford.

 

   Stanford Strategies for Ecology Education, Diversity, and Sustainability (SEEDS)

SEEDS is student group that is committed to increasing awareness through ecology education and community outreach, engaging students through showing how ecological issues intersect with inequality and social justice, providing academic and professional opportunities, and promoting local and global conservation efforts. They are also a chapter of the national SEEDS program of the Ecological Society of America (ESA). Their programming involves: Annual Lake Lagunita Bio Blitz, outreach to local high schools, field trips to Jasper Ridge and the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve.

Engineering

The Society of Black Scientist and Engineers (SBSE)

SBSE, charted in 1973 by Professor Clayton Bates and a few graduate students, is a collegiate chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (Region VI). SBSE is dedicated to increasing the number of Black engineers and scientists. SBSE holds a number of programming events on campus including: weekly study nights, BYTES weekly workshops, engineering and science incentive programs, weekly corporate presentations and networking opportunities, pre-college initiative, and college track.

Engineering Students for Diversity Equity and Inclusion (ES4DEI) General Membership Interest Form

ES4DEI is an organization that focuses on dismantling all forms of oppression in engineering departments. They work in solidarity with departments across Stanford and with other institutes of higher education to advocate for policy change that actively supports, nurtures, and sustains a diverse academic environment in engineering. Community based solutions are formed via programming such as: action-oriented workshops, book clubs, journal clubs, and invited speakers. 

        Stanford Women in Electrical Engineering (WEE)

WEE is a student group founded in 2004 that focuses on fostering community for women electrical engineering students through events and programming such as big sister/little sister mentoring, outdoor camping trips, monthly breakfasts, movie outings, and paint nights. WEE provides opportunities for professional development and networking through faculty lunches, industry events, and community service opportunities.

     Stanford Engineering Research Introductions (SERIO)

SERIO aims to support and nurture underrepresented undergraduate students in their pursuit of graduate-level STEM education. They aid in preparing selected students by introducing them to research early in their college career coupled with purposeful mentorship and workshops. SERIO holds events such as an annual 2-day program Stanford Engineering Research Introductions (SERIS) in early winter quarter, research seminars from Stanford faculty and current students, and engineering lab tours.

Stanford Society of Latinx Engineers               

SOLE was founded in 1972, and now serves as a chapter of MAES and Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). SOLE promotes academia by holding study nights, four year plan workshops, coffee chats with professors, and graduate student panels. Professionalism through technical interview workshops, Q&A’s with industry engineers, and resume review workshops. Their outreach focuses on mentoring students around Stanford and the Bay Area. Their focus on familia is demonstrated through their social events such as movie nights and game nights. SOLE is the only Latinx student organization on campus dedicated to aiding undergraduate Latinx students and their pursuit of engineering and science degrees.

Stanford Society of Women Engineers (SWE)         

Stanford SWE was founded in 1986 as a chapter of the National Society of Women Engineers. SWE works towards promoting engineering to K-12 students in the local community. They work towards developing community and diversity amongst Stanford’s engineers through events such as: faculty lunches, SWE mentorship, workshops, study nights, banquets, and conferences. SWE intends to aid students on their academic and career development through speaker series’, meetings with members of industry, and opportunity job fairs.

Computer Science

     Stanford Women in Computer Science (WiCS)

WiCS is dedicated to aiding the growth of women in computer sciences through building and strengthening community and raising awareness about inequities in the field. WiCS helps students in their career and academic development through coffee chats with professors, career panels, and interview prep programming. WiCS also focuses on building community across campus through formals, milestone celebrations, discussion circles, midterm bonfires, movie nights, casual dinners, message grams, and boba study nights.