IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu: Who, What, Why, How?�

The honor society of IEEE

Nancy Ostin, IEEE-HKN Director

• We are the honor society of IEEE

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• Founded in 1904 at the University of Illinois, merged with IEEE in 2010.

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• 279 Chapters at Universities worldwide

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• Candidates are invited to join based on their academic ranking, their character and attitude. The goal is to be the catalyst for the development of “The Complete Technical Professional.”

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• Recognized around the global as the one honor society that represents the highest values of our profession.

What is IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu?

• Network with the top students at every major University.

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• Access to key University decision makers for references, research, and for Graduate School and beyond.

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• Share a tradition with nearly 200,000 HKN inductees worldwide, this network will help you in your education, career, and professional development.

Why join IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu?

• Employers around the world recognize the designation of HKN and understand that IEEE-HKN members are of the best candidates and are well rounded, articulate, and community minded.

• The BRIDGE is the official publication; IEEE-HKN students are invited to submit papers for publication.�
• Awards such as the Outstanding Student, Outstanding Chapter, Outstanding Young Professional, Technical Professional, and Eminent Member.

Benefits of IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu

• Recognition program that distinguishes you from other students and acknowledges your academic achievements.

• Leadership opportunities for your professional development, such as conferences, service on committees and the Board of Governors, service to your University, Department and fellow students.

• The Annual IEEE-HKN Student Leadership Conference is made possible by a generous gift from the Samueli Foundation, which helps provide hotel accommodations for members and advisors from every chapter

Student Leadership Conference

• The event includes extremely valuable networking, distinguished speakers, and Chapter development activities.

CHARACTER

ATTITUDE

SCHOLARSHIP

Who can join IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu?

Academic criteria will be established for your country and University – basically the top students in their 2nd, 3rd, or 4^th year of their first academic degree.

An individual must be of exceptional character, demonstrating such character to their peers.

An individual must have the proper attitude to work hard and continually challenge himself/herself, a willingness to help others, and to use their talents and superior skills in service to their University, Department and peers.

• Undergraduate students – those pursuing their first academic degree in their second through fourth year

IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu Induction Categories

• Graduate Students – are inducted based on faculty recommendation�
• Faculty Members – are encouraged to join as Professional Members to support the work of the Chapter�
• Professional Members – those who have done meritorious work in one of the areas of the IEEE-designated technical fields

• Identifies and invites candidates to join their Chapter as IEEE-HKN members�
• Organizes scholarly activities such as technical talks, industry visits, distinguished lecturers �
• Enjoys a close relationship with faculty and often invites faculty for lunch or special sessions�
• Assists peers through tutoring, exam preparation, peer mentoring, technical competitions, community outreach to pre-University students, and to the community at large

What does an IEEE-HKN

Student Chapter do?

• You must be invited to join IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu Chapters

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• IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu students are expected to perform community service to their Universities, Departments, peers, and the community. During the 2023-2024 academic year, IEEE-HKN Chapters reported over 100,000 hours of service.  These include over 10,000 hours of STEM programs in 79 different activities.

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• IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu students serve as role models to others, always demonstrating our highest ideals

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• IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu students put on programs for others, the focus is on being of service to others, developing skills, and commitment to the profession

How is an IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu Chapter

Different From an IEEE Student Branch?

• YES!!!! IEEE-HKN is a student program of IEEE and ALL IEEE-HKN students are IEEE members.
• There are several models used for cooperation; the program is flexible to best accommodate what will work for your Chapter:

Can We Work with the

IEEE Student Branch?

1. Independent Model – the two operate independently of each other
2. Collaborative Model – the two operate separately but collaborate on projects and activities
3. Integrated Model – operate as a sub-unit of the Student Branch, individuals holds similar officer positions and share the Faculty Advisor/Branch Counselor
4. Other (to be determined by needs)

Chapters provide service to the student body.

Some examples include:

Benefits to the University of an IEEE-HKN Student Chapter

Tutoring

• Homework help/tutoring sessions
• Exam prep, course guides
• Grad school research help, lab sessions

Social

• Food drives
• Movie nights, contests
• Lunch/Dinner with Professors
• Pre-exam parties to relieve stress

Outreach

• STEM outreach
• Community projects (robotics)
• Pre-U engineering projects

Programs

• Tech Talks for all students
• Industry visits/career programs
• Leadership programs, ceremonies

Benefits to the Department of an

IEEE-HKN Student Chapter

Recognition of the scholastic achievements of the student

body – recruitment incentive

Course Guides

&

Peer Advising

Tutoring & homework help

Exam prep workshops & labs

Town Hall for all students,

Introduction to engineering for new students

Ambassadors for the department to prospective students, alumni, and donors

Benefits to the Community of an IEEE-HKN Student Chapter

…and so much more!

Habitat for Humanity, Engineering 4 Kids, “Rebuilding Together” low-income housing restoration, Staff/Professor Appreciation Day, Food/Clothing Drives, Inter-Society activities, Engineering Sports Day, Trick or Treat for Unicef, Science Nights, E-day fundraisers, high school robotics clubs

Scholarships, Project Accessibility, Lego Robots, Faraday Flashlights, “laser field” at Community Day, Augmented Reality workshops, Junkyard Derby, Brushbots, Admit Day, blood drives, Highway Clean-up, Resume/Interview workshops, snack night socials

• Any college or University that awards the Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Science degree (or an equivalent degree within the IEEE Technical Fields of Interest)

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• A school which meets the requirements of a recognized regional or professional accrediting agency (varies by country)

How To Form An IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu Chapter

Chapters may be established at:

Eligibility of a school Chapter is determined by the IEEE-HKN Board of Governors in consolation with appropriate accreditation agencies, educational organizations, and other IEEE organizational units

• Must offer undergraduate or graduate degree programs in any of the IEEE designated fields of interest (engineering, computer sciences and information technology, physical sciences, biological and medical sciences, mathematics, technical communications, education, management, law, policy)
• Programs must be accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). In other parts of the world, programs must meet the requirements of a recognized regional or professional accrediting agency.
• The department chair, dean of engineering, school chancellor, and other appropriate university administrators must support the formation of a chapter on your campus.
• Charter members of the new chapter: a minimum of 8 eligible students must be identified to establish the chapter and prepare the required submission materials.

New IEEE-HKN chapters must meet the following established requirements:

1. letter from a minimum of 8 eligible students wishing to establish the Chapter and become its charter members
2. letter of endorsement from the University officials to establish the Chapter and support its formation on campus
3. letter from University officials stating the school met requirements of a recognized regional or professional accrediting agency
4. proposed operations manual for the new Chapter

Visit the IEEE-HKN website for details on the process of forming a new chapter

The Paperwork

Step One = fill out & submit a New Chapter Inquiry Form

Forming a new chapter will require:

Newly-Installed University Chapters, 2025

University of Rochester

(Rochester, New York)

20 September 2025

Colorado School of Mines

(Golden, Colorado)

17 September 2025

University of California, Davis

(Davis, California)

11 April 2025

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

(Las Vegas, Nevada)

25 April 2025

• John McDonald, Beta Chapter, and his wife, Jo-Ann, provided the first gift in support of this dedicated Fund that provides HKN the mechanism to begin a Chapter Grant program and a supplemental Chapter coaching program.

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• Grant recipients will present their projects, share the experience and impact of their projects at a Grant Program Showcase at the Student Leadership Conference

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• Donors will be recognized during this event and on an end-of-the-year video compilation (watch past showcase videos: 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025)

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• Read more about the HKN Chapter Support Initiative in this October 2022 IEEE Spectrum article: “A New Fund Helps IEEE-HKN Student Chapters Flourish”

Established in 2022: The IEEE-HKN Student Chapter Support Fund

Support for University Chapters

Small Grants will be awarded to active Chapters in support of projects such as

community service, academic support, or Chapter-building activities

Meetings can be scheduled in order to:�

• Help dormant/inactive Chapters reactivate

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• Help newly-elected Chapter officers transition into their new roles, promoting successful Chapter operations (reporting, etc.)

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• Brainstorm strategies to boost Chapters’ profile on campus (activity/event ideas, recruitment efforts, etc.)

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Chapter Coaching Sessions

Support for University Chapters

IEEE-HKN Board Members, Volunteers, and Staff are available to help all Chapters reach their potential…

Work with HKN Staff, IEEE-HKN Regional Governors, and other HKN volunteers to enhance the experience for all Chapters, officers, and members!

Who is IEEE-HKN?

Larry Page Founder of Google

Eric Schmidt

CEO of Google

Steve Wozniak

Founder of Apple

David Filo

Founder of Yahoo!

Sabeer Bhatia Founder of Hotmail

Martin Cooper Conceived the 1st handheld mobile phone

Henry Samueli Founder of Broadcom

Amar Bose Inventor of Bose Speakers

Paul & Irwin Jacobs

Founders of Qualcomm

2024 IEEE-HKN Board of Governors

M. Ryan Bales

2024 President

Sean Bentley

2024 President-Elect

Sampathkumar Veeraraghavan

2024 Past President

Jennifer Marley

Governor, R3 & 4

Colleen Bailey

Governor, R5 & 6

Denise Griffin

Governor, R1 & 2

Supavadee Aranvith

Governor, R7 - 10

2024 IEEE-HKN Board of Governors (cont.)

Trinh Huynh

Student Governor

Obafemi Jinadu

Student Governor

Amy Jones

Governor at-Large

John McDonald

Governor at-Large

James Jefferies

Governor at-Large

Russell Meier

Governor at-Large

• The signature publication of IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu
• Named after the “wheatstone bridge,” the symbolism reflects our goal to assist members to obtain balance in their professional and personal lives
• All members receive a complimentary subscription
• Available on the IEEE-HKN website

THE BRIDGE Magazine

Nancy Ostin, Director IEEE-HKN�n.ostin@ieee.org �+1.732.465.6611�+1.800.406.2590 (US Toll Free)

www.hkn.org / info@hkn.org

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Questions?