Student Organizations
The Department of Aerospace Engineering supports student members of these organizations by providing support and resources to host meetings, seminars, cultural events on site, and financial assistance for travel and hosting to attend annual student society conferences.
Cultural Peer Support Groups
Girls in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Girls in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science was founded to bring women in electrical engineering, computer engineering, and computer science together to provide a professional, social, and academic support network. In an effort to promote the education and success of technologically inclined women, gEECS reaches out to women ranging from middle-school girls to graduate students. To communicate with gEECS executive board, please send a message to geecs.officers@umich.edu
Black Students in Aerospace (BSA)
Black Students in Aerospace (BSA) at the University of Michigan is a student organization for aerospace-minded Black Students at the University. We are committed to uplifting current Black Aerospace students, and spotlighting the Black Aerospace professionals who have made it in the industry and serve as an inspiration to those coming after them. From our inception in February 2020, BSA has put on events that speak to the accomplishments of Black engineers and scientists. We have also organized virtual panel discussions for members of the College of Engineering featuring the voices and experiences of Black students, professors, and alumni. BSA strives to initiate and facilitate positive dialogue between Black students and the UM Aerospace Department, and we now work in conjunction with the College of Engineering’s Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) committee to address issues that Black Aerospace students face at UM.
At BSA, we create a personal community within which our members may find refuge from the hardships of being a college student. We also support our students in their professional endeavors by connecting with engineers in industry, and sponsoring our members’ attendance at engineering conferences. BSA works tirelessly to ensure that Black students on campus feel empowered and confident in their pursuit of an education and/or a career in the aerospace industry. Students of all majors are welcome to help us bring our vision to life!
For more information reach out to bsaerospace@umich.edu. To join BSA, fill out this form. If you would like to support BSA’s vision, please consider sponsoring us.
Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (o-STEM)
The mission of Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics is to provide networking, professional development, and social activities for undergraduate and graduate LGBTQ and ally students in the fields of engineering, science, technology, and math.
Phi Sigma Rho
Phi Sigma Rho is a social sorority for women in engineering and engineering technologies with sisterly bonding and academic success in mind.
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers promotes scholarship, outreach, and national pride through campus and community activity for the enhancement of technical Hispanic students. To communicate with the SHPE executive board, please send a message to shpe.eboard@umich.edu
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Graduate Chapter (SHPE-GRAD)
The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers promotes scholarship, outreach, and national pride through campus and community activity for the enhancement of technical Hispanic students. To communicate with the SHPE-GRAD executive board, please send a message to shpe.grad.director@umich.edu
Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
The Society of Women Engineers strives to support women in engineering, to be a link between students and industry, and to be a knowledge source and leader in the College of Engineering, the university, and the surrounding community. To communicate with the SWE executive board, please send a message to swe.eboard@umich.edu
The Graduate Society of Black Engineers and Scientists (GSBES)
The Society of Minority Engineers and Scientists – Graduate Component (SMES-G),serves as an academic and social network for Black graduate students within the University of Michigan’s STEM community. GSBES’s primary aim is to recruit and retain Black graduate students within engineering and science disciplines through outreach and advocacy. To communicate with the executive board, please send a message to gsbes.communications@gmail.com
Graduates Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (Go-STEM)
Through organizing, mentorship, and networking, our mission is to provide a space for LGBTQ+ graduate students and post-doctoral researchers at the University of Michigan to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another. To communicate with the Go-STEM executive board, please send a message to gostem-board@umich.edu
STUDENT societies
The department has a student chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), a Black Students in Aerospace (BSA) organization, a Women in Aeronautics and Astronautics organization (WAA), an Aerospace student honor society, Sigma Gamma Tau (SGT), and a student space exploration organization, (SEDS). There is also a committee of aerospace graduate students (GSAC), Tau Beta Pi, and our Alumni Association.
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the professional society for aerospace engineering.
The University of Michigan Student Branch seeks “to educate and excite students at U-M about aerospace technologies and science, and to promote fellowship among students interested in these topics.” Their objective is “to advance the arts, sciences, and technology of aeronautics and astronautics. AIAA fosters the professional development of those engaged in scientific and engineering activities.” While they are primarily composed of Aerospace Engineering majors, they welcome any student that has a passion for the exploration of the aerospace and aeronautic world.
With over 100 members and counting, we continue to prove that the University of Michigan AIAA Chapter is indeed filled with the “Leaders and Best.”
Contact AIAA: umichaiaa@gmail.com
Women in Aeronautics and Astronautics organization (WAA)
Women in Aeronautics and Astronautics is dedicated to fostering a sense of community among women in fields related to aviation and space, improving diversity within the College of Engineering, focused on Aerospace Engineering, and helping members to develop both personal and professional connections in the aerospace industry.
Contact WAA: waa-officers@umich.edu
Sigma Gamma Tau (SGT)
Sigma Gamma Tau is the nationally renowned honor society for Aerospace Engineering. It seeks to identify and recognize achievements and excellence of individuals in the Aerospace field. The collegiate chapters of Sigma Gamma Tau semiannually elect to offer membership to those students, alumni, and professionals who, by conscientious attention to their studies or professional duties, uphold the high standards for the betterment of their profession.
Students for Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS)
Students for Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) is an international organization with the mission to promote and advance space exploration. SEDS@UM, the chapter of SEDS at the University of Michigan, achieves this goal in the greater U-M community through multidisciplinary technical project teams, professional development opportunities, and K-12 outreach events.
Contact SEDS: seds-council@umich.edu
Michigan Aviators
The Michigan Aviators is a student organization with the goal of promoting aviation-related activities at the University of Michigan. Our primary purpose is to foster a community of both pilots and aviation enthusiasts within Michigan and to help expose more students to the world of aviation.
Originally started to promote interaction between pilots within the Aerospace Engineering department, the club has expanded to include outreach to the broader Michigan community. We believe that learning how to fly and build airplanes substantially contributes to our education and skills as a way to apply the theories we learn in class to the real world, and that this opportunity should include anyone in the Michigan community with an interest in general aviation.
Contact Michigan Aviators: michiganaviators@umich.edu
Tau Beta Pi – Michigan Gamma
Tau Beta Pi was founded in 1885 to mark in a fitting manner those who have conferred honor upon their alma mater by distinguished scholarship and exemplary character as undergraduates in the field of engineering, or by their attainments as alumni in the field of engineering, and to foster a spirit of liberal culture in the engineering colleges.
The Michigan Gamma Chapter of TBP is committed to providing service to the college and the community and to help members develop both personally and professionally. Membership in Tau Beta Pi is by invitation only, based on high scholastic achievement and exemplary character.
Contact TBP: tbp.officers@umich.edu
Graduate Student Advisory Committee
GSAC is a committee of graduate students whose mission is to create a welcoming and fulfilling community among graduate students, post-docs, and faculty in the aerospace department. The primary functions of GSAC are to:
- Identify the interests and concerns of graduate students, through regularly scheduled GSAC meetings (open to all) as well as anonymous reporting
- Represent the graduate student body in communications with the aerospace engineering faculty and department leadership
- Organize events that grow the sense of community in the department
GSAC also has a sub-committee dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within our department with the specific goals of:
- Organizing community forums to create safe spaces for dialogues within our community that promote education, support, and/or healing.
- Disseminating educational resources to our graduate student body to educate our community on issues of social justice.
- Advocating for changes to department policies that reflect our community’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This is done through elected representatives that bring the ideas and concerns of the subcommittee to the department DEI committee meetings
Contact GSAC: gsac-aero-execs@umich.edu
How has the experience of being a Black woman in aerospace engineering changed over more than 40 years? Two alumnae discussed their experiences over Zoom with warmth, humor and authenticity.