Student Organizations

AISES Website | Donate to AISES
To join AISES, email the president below and ask to be added to the GroupMe!

The Colorado School of Mines chapter of American Indian Science and Engineering Society is a non-profit national organization that represents American Indians and Alaskan Natives in engineering, science, and other related technology disciplines. The mission of AISES is to substantially increase the representation of American Indians and Alaskan Natives in engineering, science, and other related technology disciplines. Through the quality and reach of its programs and the longevity and devoted commitment of its “family,” AISES is the undisputed leader in STEM opportunity in Indian Country. Members from over 200 tribal nations are represented within AISES, and AISES enjoys the support and partnership of corporate, government, academic, and tribal decision-makers.

IVY ALLIN | PRESIDENT 2024 – 2025 | iallin@mines.edu
Haku, ma ktɨ ka Ivy Allin (Hello, my name is Ivy Allin). I’m Ojibwe and Barbareño/Ineseño Chumash. I’m currently studying Computer Science with a focus in Data Science and I’ve been involved with AISES since August 2023. I look forward to serving as the president of AISES and in doing so, work towards empowering Indigenous people in STEM and creating a more inclusive community here at Mines. I’m excited to meet all new and returning members this year!

KIARA BILLY | GRADUATE CHAIR | kiarabilly@mines.edu
Electrical Engineering, Graduate School

LINDA FIGUEROA, PH.D | AISES & SHPE Faculty Advisor | lfiguero@mines.edu
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

2023-2024 MINES Kickstart Partnership Packet | Donate to Kickstart
To join Kickstart, email one of the leads below and ask to be added to the GroupMe!

Kickstart is a student organization at the Colorado School of Mines dedicated to building an inclusive community that enables the sharing and exploration of diverse identities. In the past we’ve held a variety of events surrounding DI&A such as a discussion about AAPI Hate and a tech-equity focused Hackathon through the Computer Science Department. We work with many organizations including Fraternity and Sorority Life, the Arthur Lakes Library, and the Multicultural Engineering Program. Our current goals are to build a sustainable vehicle for DI&A efforts at Mines while also empowering Kickstart members to develop the skills necessary for creating social impact.

HANNAH SHAW | CO-LEAD 2024-2025 | hannah_shaw@mines.edu
Hi! I’m Hannah Shaw, a Junior majoring in Design Engineering at Mines with a focus in Mechanical Engineering and Product Design. I transferred here from Texas A&M in fall 2023 and quickly found my home in Kickstart, a community that embodies support and inclusivity. I joined because I want to hear everyone’s diverse perspectives and experiences. I’m passionate about purpose, collaboration, engineering, creativity, and innovation, and how they enable us to develop meaningful solutions. My goal is to help others feel less alone and foster a positive, supportive environment. I can’t wait to make an impact within this incredible community!

ANTHONY PERRY | CO-LEAD 2024 – 2025 | anthony_perry@mines.edu
Hey y’all! My name is Anthony Perry and I am the co-leader of Kickstart! I wear hats (lots of hats) and I enjoy the arts, and outdoors, so hit me up if you need a ride to Eldora or A-Basin!

JADE OLIVAS-ZAMARRON | CO-LEAD 2024 – 2025 | jade_olivas-zamarron@mines.edu 
Hello!! My name is Jade Olivas-Zamarron, I’m in my second year studying Civil Engineering. I’ve been a part of Kickstart since January 2023. Kickstart has become my second home; I love that this organization is a welcoming community for many students to come and have a voice. I’m passionate about sharing my Hispanic culture and I cannot wait to share more cultures and diversity with campus.

DR. JUAN LUCENA | Kickstart Faculty Advisor | jlucena@mines.edu
Humanitarian Engineering

NSBE Website | 2023-2024 MINES NSBE Partnership Packet | Donate to NSBE
To join NSBE, email one of the presidents below and ask to be added to the GroupMe!

The National Society of Black Engineers is dedicated to the success of African-American engineering students and professionals. NSBE offers its members leadership training, professional development activities, mentoring opportunities, career placement services and more. NSBE comprises 394 active chapters — 242 collegiate, 70 professional and 82 pre-collegiate — located in six geographic regions. NSBE’s mission is “to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community.”

The NSBE torch symbolizes the organization’s everlasting, burning desire to achieve success in this competitive society and to effect positive change in the quality of life of all people. The goal of the Society is to replicate its mission and vision in countries around the world, creating a global network of Black engineers, scientists and technologists. NSBE has accomplished more for Black engineering students than any other organization in the world.

MARINA FENNELL | CO-PRESIDENT 2024-2025 | mfennell@mines.edu
Hello MEP fam, my name is Marina and I am a junior studying mechanical engineering! I like dancing, singing in the rain and PENGUINS! I’m always at MEP, either working at the desk or hanging out if you ever need me. Lastly, if you ever see me on campus please say hi, it is always nice to see old and new faces! Hope to see some new faces around MEP!

ZAHID CONTEH | CO-PRESIDENT 2024 – 2025 | zmconteh@mines.edu 
Hello MEP! I am a senior studying Electrical Engineering. This will be my third year involved with NSBE, and my first time being a co-president with the wonderful Marina Fennell. You can find me on PlayStation, or in the Electronics Discovery Center, depending on how much homework I have. I am determined to make this year one of NSBE’s greatest!

TY GONZALEZ | GRADUATE CHAIR | tgonzalez@mines.edu
Graduate student at Mines

JOSEPHINE RICHARDSON | NSBE Advisor | sjrichardson@mines.edu
Office of Admissions

KIM SCOTT, PH.D | NSBE Advisor | kimscott@mines.edu
Metallurgical and Materials Engineering

oSTEM Mines Chapter Website | oSTEM Website | Donate to oSTEM
To join oSTEM, email the president below and ask to be added to the GroupMe!

oSTEM is a national society dedicated to educating and fostering leadership for LGBTQA communities in the STEM fields. The Mines Chapter of oSTEM, formerly GLBTA Engineers: Sigma Lambda, is a community driven club in place to give support to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students at Mines. We hold events for both out members, as well as to educate the Mines campus. We offer many opportunities for students to become involved with our chapter through weekly meetings, social events, and advocacy. This is a great challenge-by-choice organization in which you can decide which activities you want to participate in and which ones you may not want to. Additionally, this organization offers various professional meetings with companies and prepares students with easily transferrable communication and problem-solving skills.

ANDREA ARMSTRONG | PRESIDENT 2024 – 2025 | armstrong@mines.edu
Hey y’all! My name is Andrea (they/she) and I’m currently a senior studying mechanical engineering with a minor in engineering physics. I’ve been involved with MEP and oSTEM at Mines since my first year here and fell in love with the community and the mission. I am so excited to serve as oSTEM’s president during my last year on campus and can’t wait to continue building up the queer community at Mines!

REM ZHANG | oSTEM ALUMNI ADVISOR | rem_zhang@mines.edu
Computer Science, Graduate School

MEGAN ROSE | oSTEM Co-Advisor | meganrose@mines.edu
Office of Budget and Financial Planning

DEPAUL STRAUB | oSTEM Co-Advisor | fdstraub@mines.edu
New Student Transition Services

SASE Mines Chapter Website | SASE Website | Donate to SASE
To join SASE, email one of the presidents below and ask to be added to the GroupMe!

SASE is dedicated to the advancement of Asian heritage scientists and engineers in education and employment so that they can achieve their full career potential. In addition to professional development, SASE also encourages members to contribute to the enhancement of the communities in which they live. SASE membership is open to men and women of all ethnic backgrounds and is one of the five organizations under the Multicultural Engineering Program (MEP) at the Colorado School of Mines.

SASE’s mission is to
-Prepare Asian heritage scientists and engineers for success in the global business world.
-Celebrate diversity on campuses and in the workplace.
-Provide opportunities for members to make contributions to their local communities.

ZAID SAFIAN | PRESIDENT 2024 – 2025 | zaidsafian@mines.edu
Hi, my name is Zaid Safian, I am a Senior studying Civil Engineering in Undergrad, and I am preparing to be a part of the Master’s Program at Mines for Structural Engineering. As Co-President for the 2024-2025 academic year, I hope to expand the reach of our AAPI community at Mines and provide more students with the opportunities and community that they otherwise would not have known were available. Your support goes far in helping SASE at Mines achieve the goals that we all aspire to achieve!

WILL JANG | PRESIDENT 2024 – 2025 | wjang@mines.edu
Hello, my name is Will Jang, I am a 4th year studying Computer Science with a field in cybersecurity. As Co-President for the 2024-2025 academic year, my goal is to help expand our community so that everyone can experience the opportunities and engaging community that I have been able to experience in the last couple of years. Thank you for helping SASE at Mines grow to who we are today!

ASHLEY POTTER | GRAD & ALUMNI ADVISOR | ashleylinpotter@mines.edu
Engineering and Technology Management, Graduate School

HOLLY EKLUND | SASE Faculty Co-Advisor | heklund@mines.edu
Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics

SCOTT STRONG, PH.D | SASE Faculty Co-Advisor | sstrong@mines.edu
Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics

JIM WONG | SASE Faculty Co-Advisor | jwong@mines.edu
Department of Mechanical Engineering

SHPE Mines Chapter Website | SHPE Website | Donate to SHPE
To join SHPE, email one of the presidents below and ask to be added to the GroupMe!

The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers was founded in Los Angeles, California in 1974 by a group of engineers employed by the city of Los Angeles. Their objective was to form a national organization of professional engineers to serve as role models in the Hispanic community. The concept of Networking was the key basis for the organization. SHPE quickly established two student chapters to begin the network that would grow to encompass the nation as well as reach other countries. Today, SHPE enjoys a strong but independent network of professionals and student chapters throughout the nation.

Mission: SHPE changes lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential and to impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support and development.
Vision: SHPE’s vision is a world where Hispanics are highly valued and influential as the leading innovators, scientists, mathematicians and engineers.

KATERIN VELASQUEZ | PRESIDENT 2024-2025 | kvelasquezcampos@mines.edu
Hi besties! My name is Katerin Velasquez. I am majoring in Mechanical Engineering with an Aerospace minor. I was born and raised in Colorado, but my family’s roots are in El Salvador. I joined SHPE to bring awareness and empower the Hispanic community at Mines, and I’ve stayed because of the incredible lifelong friendships and amazing opportunities it has given me. SHPE has truly become a second family, and I’m so grateful for the support and love I’ve found here.

GABRIEL DEL CASTILLO | GRADUATE ADVISOR | gdelcastillo@mines.edu
Computer Science, Graduate School

ANDRES GUERRA, PH.D, PE | SHPE Faculty Advisor | aguerra@mines.edu
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

LINDA FIGUEROA, PH.D | AISES & SHPE Faculty Advisor | lfiguero@mines.edu
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

LAUREN BAUGHMAN | UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT GOVERMENT (USG) REP | lbaughman@mines.edu

ASHLEY POTTER | GRADUATE STUDENT GOVERMENT (GSG) REP | ashleylinpotter@mines.edu