Student Organizations

The UMass Amherst chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery is the local student chapter of ACM, the computing professional society. The group is dedicated to engaging students in computing, helping them to build professional connections, and having fun! They hold events throughout the academic year, including tech talks, programming competitions, and social events. 

BUILD UMass provides a venue for students to gain academic and practical knowledge about software development, web development, and tech consulting. BUILD gives back to the community through pro-bono services for nonprofits, start-ups, and local businesses. Working with companies to solve real-world problems and hosting workshops and talks from industry professionals helps members develop the technical and professional skills necessary to succeed.

CICS Pride serves and supports the LGBTQIA community of the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences and promotes an inclusive learning environment in computing. The group's focus is on community building and social activities. All students, faculty, and staff members, regardless of gender and sexual orientation, are welcome to join the group and attend events.

CICSoft provides a collaborative environment for members to enhance their technical capabilities while developing applications. It creates an atmosphere for students to learn application development from the ground up through weekly sessions. The group's Lab division aims to develop and publish next-generation apps for UMass and the greater community. Join CICSoft's Annual Appathon to turn your app concept into a reality.

CICS COST works to encourage and increase computer science outreach to youth and educators. By providing volunteer opportunities and empowering student-led events, the organization helps students develop important leadership skills while they make a difference in their community. For more information, visit the COST website or subscribe to their mailing list. 

The CS Women's Group serves and supports the women faculty and graduate students in the College of Information and Computer Sciences and promotes the representation and interests of women in computing. The group's focus is on community building. Members work closely with CICS faculty and staff to provide programs and services for female-identified students and organize social events, lectures, and other professional activities that are open to all students in the college. All new women graduate students are automatically added to the group and mailing list.

Cybersecurity is the body of technologies, processes, and practices designed to protect networks, computers, programs, and data from attack, damage, or unauthorized access. In a computing context, security includes both cybersecurity and physical security. The UMass Cybersecurity Club educates UMass students on these processes and practices by hosting speakers, workshops, and cybersecurity competitions.

#freshCICS is a social group for first-year students in CICS that provides support, collaboration, community, and mentoring from peers and second-year students. It’s a great way to get involved, make friends, and have fun. 

Girls Who Code is an international nonprofit organization that aims to equip women and girls with the knowledge of technology to bridge the prevailing gender gap in the technology industry. It hosts workshops, events, summer programs, hackathons, and college loops in universities and high school clubs across the globe. The UMass Amherst chapter hopes to foster a sense of unity and sisterhood among the women in the tech community, equipping them with the skills required to excel in their college and early career phases of life.

The purpose of the CICS Graduate Student Organization is to facilitate and support activities that meet the academic, social, cultural and professional needs of graduate students in the CICS department.

HackHer413 is the first all-women and nonbinary student 24-hour hackathon in Western Massachusetts, which takes place annually at UMass Amherst. The student-organized and -run event welcomes over 300 participants from New England and beyond. The principal goals of the event are to create a welcoming hacking environment, celebrate first-time hackers, and encourage women from any major or career interest to explore computer science. Join us as a participant, or get involved further by joining the organizing team!

Sponsored by CICS, UMass Amherst's annual 36-hour hackathon, HackUMass, is organized and run entirely by students. Students from across campus come together to put on one of New England's largest events for makers—in 2016, over 600 hackers from the region participated. Be on the lookout for ways you can get involved. 

The Mobile Development Club provides an environment for students interested in mobile application development to connect, build, and design mobile applications. We aim to give students interested in pursuing a career in mobile application development (or a similar field) a platform to develop professional technical and nontechnical skills.

The Product Management Club seeks to educate undergraduates and graduate students about project management careers, including APM programs (new grad PM roles) and internships. The group meets weekly for case studies, product breakdowns, current events discussions, and more! Check out our semester's schedule on Notion.

The mission of PIT is to empower students in shaping technology for public needs and provide a space for discussion and education on current and emerging technology.

The STARS Computing Corps is a national alliance that aims to broaden the participation of underrepresented groups in computing within institutions of higher education. In particular, STARS aims to increase computing persistence and promote career advancement for undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty, focusing on addressing systemic and social barriers faced by those from underrepresented groups in computing.

The UMass Amherst Data Science Club strives to create a community for UMass Amherst undergraduates who share a common interest in data science. We aim to provide members with the experience they need to achieve their data science goals by conducting group projects, utilizing graduate school resources, providing career advice, and facilitating industry connections.

The UMass Design Club is dedicated to learning and creating graphic and product design. Regardless of experience or skill level, members can find a community of passionate student designers.

UMass Robotics is a well-structured, organized, and exciting opportunity for UMass students to learn about robotics, participate in competitions, and gain real team experience under a deadline. The UMass Robotics team is currently working to compete in the May 2023 NASA Lunabotics Competition.

Women in Informatics and Computer Science at UMass Amherst (WiCS @ UMass Amherst) is a student organization run by undergraduate members of the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences. It was established to complement the graduate women in computing group and aims to foster a stronger bond between all female and nonbinary members of the CICS community. Through bonding activities, workshops, and various other activities, it creates a safe space for minorities in computing to develop and grow together.