In its third year, the IEEE-HKN Chapter Support Initiative forged ahead, bringing continued growth and improvements for the HKN community. Thanks to this IEEE Foundation-supported initiative, we seek to answer the question: “What if every University Chapter was a well-supported Chapter?” The two facets are the Chapter Support Grant Program and the Chapter Success Program.
Community Service, Academic Support, and Chapter-Building
As part of the Chapter Support Initiative, Active University Chapters in good standing can apply for small grants to offset costs of hosting events, activities, or projects that will enhance the Chapter experience and support the service their members provide to the community. 24 Chapter support grants were awarded this year. Chapters in Australia, Ecuador, India, Italy, and across the U.S. used grant funds to launch technical workshops, service projects, tutoring programs, professional development events, and much more! Take a look at the various projects and events funded by Chapter Support Grants in this video.
Striving for Chapter Success
The Chapter Success program was developed to create and enhance resources and training for all Chapters, with a focus on coaching meetings led by HKN volunteers and staff. At the close of 2024, 48 University Chapters at various stages of activity were in coaching, having initiated these relationships at different times since the start of the Initiative in 2022. 19 of those Chapters entered coaching in 2024.
- 16 of the inactive and dormant Chapters in coaching regained Active Status by the end of 2024
- 11 coached Chapters earned 2023-2024 Key Chapter recognition, a celebration of the Chapters that participate in activities identified as the best practices of successful Chapters
- Coached Chapters reported a combined total of over 15,000 hours of activity during the 2023-2024 Reporting Year. This is a 38% increase over the 2022-2023 Reporting Year
- 32 coached Chapters held at least one induction ceremony in 2024, adding a combined total of 585 new members (Students & Professionals) this year
If you are interested in supporting Chapters at all levels, your help is needed to:
- Join coaching meetings
- Help with post-meeting follow-up
- Connect HKN Chapters to programming and/or volunteer opportunities with your organizations and MORE
Contributions to the Chapter Support Fund drive this Initiative onward and enhance the support we can provide to our Chapters at all stages. We are grateful for any donation as we look toward more progress in 2025!
