Get engaged with CSE

Each year, CSE alumni, parents, and friends volunteer with programs that benefit students, the college, and the community. Join them! 

Mentor a student

Hundreds of alumni and industry professionals join the CSE Mentor Program each fall to help current students transition from college to the workplace. The program runs from October through mid-April. Registration will open in August. Learn more about the CSE mentor program.

Enrich the student experience

Volunteer your professional expertise at the:

  • CSE Career Center by sharing insights about your industry as part of a panel, a careers-class guest speaker, or one-on-one with students. Please complete the volunteer interest form and indicate how you can help.
  • Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Initiative—there are a record-breaking number of women enrolled in CSE, and the WISE Initiative acts as a resource for them. Plus, it promotes inclusion and diversity, and builds and strengthens the CSE community. Complete the WISE Initiative interest form to learn more about volunteer opportunities and social events designed for CSE women.

Participate in events and programs for the award-winning CSE Alumni Society

All graduates of the College of Science and Engineering are members of the CSE Alumni Society and are welcome to participate in Society events and volunteer programs. For access to even more events and programs designed for all U of M graduates, become a member of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association.

Join the CSE Alumni Society Board

The CSE Alumni Society Board serves in an advisory capacity to the college dean in matters concerning CSE alumni. Board members work to plan and execute alumni events (i.e. company site visits, networking receptions, and lectures), as well as promote activities and programs to foster an ongoing affiliation between alumni and the college, such as the CSE Mentor Program. To learn more, call CSE Alumni Relations Director Joelle Larson at (612) 626-1802 or email jblarson@umn.edu.

Support legislation

Ensure that your local elected officials understand the importance of the University of Minnesota to the Twin Cities. Participation is easy and offers various levels of commitment—from writing letters to sharing your story. Support the University’s legislative and funding requests by joining the UMN Advocates.

Community and STEM volunteer opportunities

These local organizations have partnered on activities with the CSE Alumni Society Board in the past, and welcome volunteers:

  • Bakken Museum. Various indoor and outdoor volunteer opportunities are available, including gardening, summer camp mentorship, event support, activity facilitation, exhibit, and collections assistance, and more. Visit the Bakken Museum's volunteer webpage for a full list. 
  • Bell Museum. The Bell Museum seeks volunteers to support both special events and ongoing programming. Volunteers are needed for exhibition galleries, gallery carts, astronomy programs, collections cove, and more. Learn more and apply to volunteer on the Bell Museum’s volunteer webpage, or email bellvolunteers@umn.edu.
  • High Tech Kids. Volunteers are needed in both technical and non-technical roles for the three programs the organization manages—FIRST LEGO League Junior, FIRST LEGO League, and FIRST Tech Challenge. Volunteer positions include judges, referees, scorekeeping, emcee, check in, set up, tear down, and more. Learn more and sign up on the High Tech Kids volunteer webpage.
  • Minnesota Tech for Success. Volunteers help build computers for classrooms, disassemble computers for recycling, and sort and organize equipment. No technology experience is required to volunteer. Learn more and sign up on the Minnesota Tech for Success volunteer webpage or email info@techforsuccess.org.
  • Science Museum of Minnesota. Science Activity, Collectors’ Corner, and Visitor Services volunteer opportunities are available. Read descriptions and fill out the online volunteer application on the Science Museum volunteer webpage. Send questions to volunteer@smm.org.
  • The Works. Various volunteer opportunities are available, and they include helping run, set-up, or clean up a science station for kids and families, creating materials used at such stations, or helping with science camps. The volunteer team will work with you or your group to find the right fit. Complete a volunteer interest survey and find contact information on The Works volunteer opportunities webpage.