Activities & Chapter News

Explore upcoming activities, student opportunities, outreach initiatives, and chapter news throughout the academic year.

Chapter Activity Hub

Choose an opportunity and begin building your experience.

Chapter activities connect academic learning with professional practice, student leadership, service, and community engagement. Students can begin with one event and return as their interests and goals develop.

Review upcoming activities Explore Student Interest Groups

Next Up

This week at GovState

Begin the academic year through professional connection and campus involvement.

Campus Engagement

Welcome Week Block Party and Resource Fair

Meet student organizations, learn about campus resources, and begin building your GovState community.

Date
Time
Location
D Building main entrance

Paid Student Opportunity

Become a Future Technology Pathways student instructor

GovState Computer Science and Information Technology students can apply to support hands-on technology workshops through the Bloom High School partnership.

Application requirements

  • Current enrollment in GovState Computer Science or Information Technology program
  • A cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
  • Proof of a relevant technical project
  • Availability for scheduled Tuesday sessions, both during the school day and after school
  • Reliable transportation to the partner school
  • Demonstrate professionalism, dependability, communication skills, and an interest in working with high school students

Career & Professional Development

Internship Readiness Series

From application to interview, this two-day experience helps students prepare for the internship hiring process through guided practice, professional feedback, and a realistic interview experience.

DAY 1
Open Registration Virtual

Tuesday, October 13, 2026 6:30 p.m. CT

Interview Preparation

Interview with Confidence

Learn how to prepare for an internship interview by identifying what employers are looking for and connecting your own skills, experiences, and accomplishments to the opportunity.

  • Analyze an internship posting
  • Identify skills and experiences employers value
  • Build evidence for common interview questions
  • Practice communicating your experience professionally
  • Prepare thoughtful questions for an employer
Required for Day 2

Attendance and completion of the Day 1 workshop activities are required to be considered for the Day 2 Mock Interview Experience.

Register for Day 1
DAY 2
Invitation Only In Person

Tuesday, October 27, 2026 6:30 p.m. CT

Applied Interview Experience

Mock Hiring Experience

Selected Day 1 participants will advance to an in-person experience designed to simulate key parts of the internship application and interview process.

  • Complete a mock internship application
  • Participate in an individual mock interview
  • Receive professional interview feedback
  • Participate in a career and hiring panel discussion
By Invitation Only

Day 2 is not open for general registration. Invitations will be extended to selected students following successful completion of Day 1.

Fall 2026

Semester activity calendar

Review confirmed dates and return for speaker, location, and registration updates.

  1. Welcome Week Block Party and Resource Fair

    Students can meet campus organizations, learn about university resources, and explore opportunities to become involved at GovState. The event begins at 1:00 p.m. Central Time at the D Building main entrance.

  2. From STEM Professional to Mentor Developer: Building a Career Through Project Management, People, and Impact

    A virtual session featuring Jayla Johnson, Information Technology alumna. The session begins at 4:45 p.m. Central Time.

    Register for the September 9 virtual speaker session

  3. Fail Forward: The Role of Grit, Growth, and Hands-On Learning in High-Performance Careers

    A virtual session featuring Dr. Mathew J. Heath Van Horn. He will explore how grit, a growth mindset, and hands-on learning contribute to success in high-performance careers. The session begins at 7:45 p.m. Central Time.

    Register for the September 21 virtual speaker session

  4. AI in the Classroom: Practical Tools and Strategies for Students and Teachers

    A virtual session featuring Sewar Dghaim, Computer Science graduate student. The session begins at 5:00 p.m. Central Time.

    Register for the September 23 virtual speaker session

  5. Hour of AI & Code at GovState

    A Student Discovery Day for elementary and middle school learners from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

October 2026

Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Students can develop cybersecurity investigation, competition, teamwork, and career-readiness skills through a connected series of activities. The sequence begins during Cybersecurity Awareness Month and continues through the National Cyber League Team Game on November 8.

  1. Cyber Investigation Orientation and How to Play KC7

    Students will learn the fundamentals of cyber investigation, digital evidence analysis, and the KC7 platform before the Jaguar Cyber Investigation Cup begins.

  2. Jaguars Cyber Mystery Kickoff

    Students will investigate a simulated cybersecurity incident, analyze digital evidence, and apply their findings in a guided competition.

  3. American Self-Defense in Cyberspace

    ACM Distinguished Speaker Dr. Josiah Dykstra will examine cyber defense, national security, and the responsibilities individuals and organizations share in protecting digital systems at 7:45 p.m. Central Time.

    Register for the October 5 virtual speaker session

  4. National Cyber League Capture the Flag Practice Game

    Students will practice National Cyber League challenges and prepare for the upcoming individual and team competitions.

  5. Identity Is the New Perimeter: Foundations of Modern Identity and Access Management

    Cloud security architect Eugene Zilberman will examine identity, access, and modern security boundaries at 7:45 p.m. Central Time.

    Register for the October 19 virtual speaker session

  6. National Cyber League Capture the Flag Individual Game

    Students will independently apply cybersecurity investigation, analysis, and problem-solving skills in the National Cyber League competition.

  7. Jaguar Cup Awards and Career Reflection

    Participants will recognize competition achievements and connect their investigative experience to cybersecurity careers, professional skills, and future learning opportunities.

  8. National Cyber League Capture the Flag Team Game

    Students will collaborate to complete National Cyber League challenges and conclude the cybersecurity investigation and competition sequence.

Ways to Participate

Programming tracks

Choose an experience that supports your goals, interests, or curiosity.

Professional Speaker Series

Connect classroom learning with career journeys, industry expectations, and professional advice.

Workshops and Skill Nights

Practice technical fundamentals, responsible tool use, documentation, and applied problem-solving.

Community and Service

Support younger learners and local partners through service, teaching, and near-peer mentoring.

UPE Events and Recognition

Recognize scholarship, leadership, and service while upholding the standards of the computing discipline.

How to Participate

Start with one event, then build a pattern.

Students do not need to attend every activity to benefit. A strong semester can begin with one speaker session, workshop, volunteer opportunity, or Student Interest Group meeting.

  1. Choose Select an activity connected to your goals or curiosity.
  2. Attend Arrive prepared to listen, ask questions, and participate respectfully.
  3. Reflect Identify one useful idea, skill, or professional next step.
  4. Continue Use the newsroom and Interest Group pages to find your next opportunity.

Chapter Archive

Looking for articles, recaps, and student highlights?

The Chapter Newsroom brings together noteworthy updates from ACM, UPE, Student Interest Groups, workshops, competitions, outreach events, alumni connections, and student achievements.

Read Chapter News

Stay Connected

Students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community partners are welcome to connect with the chapter about activities, outreach, student engagement, and professional development opportunities.

Professional Growth Hands-On Learning Community Outreach Student Recognition