We would like to highlight the University of Puerto Rico- Mayaguez chapter for being named a 2013-2014 Key Chapter.
Throughout the 2013-2014 academic year, the University of Puerto Rico- Mayaguez chapter participated in more than 40 chapter events! One of the chapter’s most successful events was their 1^st Internship & Graduate School Expo. This inaugural event provided members with a variety of information regarding internships, research experience for undergraduates, building résumés/CV and tips to successfully interview for a job. Members also learned how to use diverse web apps for professional development and the importance of using social networks wisely. Another popular topic of discussion was the importance of pursuing graduate studies and how it enhances career opportunities. The event not only gave chapter members the opportunity to enhance their professional skills and knowledge, but it also provided community members (professors, instructors, professionals, etc.) the opportunity to demonstrate their work and expertise.
The chapter also collaborated with several other student organizations on the University of Puerto Rico- Mayaguez campus to host the International Coastal Cleanup event. The purpose of this event was to create awareness about beach pollution and how the efforts of a few can make a huge impact. Alongside the other student organizations, the chapter was able to collect more than 50 pounds of trash from the Boquerón Beach at Cabo Rojo!
One of the University of Puerto Rico- Mayaguez’s larger events during the 2013-2014 academic year was their Make A Difference Day Event– The ProjecThon. There are a significant amount of social issues that are currently happening at Mayaguez, so the chapter wanted to create a more utilitarian service project that would give members options as to what they could stand behind and support. To make this possible, the chapter organized four community service projects to take place at the same time. One such event focused on helping the local animal shelter, Villa Michelle at Mayaguez.  Throughout the day, volunteers cleaned and fed the animals, as well as helped the personnel in their daily duties. The chapter also held an environmental service project at a community garden in an area called “El Mani”. Here members cleaned and watered the area where plants were, gathered compost and transferred it to planting areas. To benefit the elderly, the chapter worked with the “Brisas de Amor” home where they participated in stimulating activities with the residents. The final service event was “Care for the Homeless”, which focused on the aid and rehabilitation of homeless people in the area. The chapter delivered meals and first aid products, and they had one the university professors give a motivational speech to the group.
Congratulations again to the University of Puerto Rico- Mayaguez Golden Key chapter for being named a Key Chapter!
 
 

The next chapter that we would like to highlight in our 2013-2014 Key Chapter blog series is our chapter at the University of British Columbia.
During the fall semester, the University of British Columbia chapter continued with their Academic and Tri-Mentoring Launch Event, which pairs industry professionals with junior (1^st and 2^nd year) and senior (3^rd and 4^th year) students based on their area of study. During the event, students networked with the professionals, participated in speed interviews and partook in resume-building workshops. This program is widely considered to be the chapter’s most popular academic project in that its unique structure allows for growth and feedback all while providing a rewarding experience for industry professionals. One of the chapter’s key service events for the 2013-2014 academic year was their fundraiser for the University of British Columbia’s Mental Health Awareness Week.  In fact the event was such a success that the chapter hosted it twice– once in September and again in January. Each fundraising event ran for two days at the university hall where students would come to pay their tuition. The chapter would sell coffee, juice, tea, bagels and other snacks to go towards hosting mental health awareness workshops at the university. This event gave the chapter an opportunity to meet and greet with other students all while supporting a worthy cause.
One event that the University of British Columbia chapter was particularly proud of this year was their New Member Recognition Event. Although the event takes place in late October, planning started at the beginning of the summer, and all of the chapter officers were involved in the conception, organization and execution of the event. Together members formed sponsorship, marketing and logistics teams, which gave the members a platform to develop their leadership skills.  The chapter was proud to have their new honorary members deliver keynote speeches, as well as World Cup Skicross Winner Sven Winter. During the ceremony’s intermission, the chapter introduced their various service projects, such as their Type 2 Diabetes Awareness workshop, Better World Books Drive, clothing drive for Big Brothers and World Vision literacy project. This event proved to be a success with more than two hundred people invited to the event!
Congratulations to our University of British Columbia chapter for their continued success and being named a Key Chapter for the 2013-2014 academic year!