Graduate Student Organizations

The Geotechnical Graduate Student Society promotes scholarship, leadership, and fellowship for graduate students in the geotechnical engineering program at the University of California, Davis. The organization network consists of over 140 students, alumni, faculty and visiting scholars and collaborates with over 30 governmental agencies, engineering firms, contractors, and consultants, mostly through the annual Round Table open house student showcase.

SWEGS was formed to support the professional ambitions and personal development of members. This group serves as a liaison between our members and faculty and professionals by hosting an annual conference and quarterly seminars, as well as providing workforce opportunities. Members are provided with outreach opportunities to advance scientific knowledge both in the Davis community and beyond. The group also hosts social events to strengthen relationships within the SWEGS community.

The Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI) is a national, non-profit, multi-disciplinary organization that connects researchers, practitioners and students with an interest in reducing earthquake risk. EERI has local Student Chapters at various universities, including UC Davis. 

The UC Davis Student Chapter of AWWA works towards promoting the future success of environmental engineers and scientists who hope to treat and manage water resources. The primary goal of AWWA is to present networking opportunities through collaboration and mentorship between environmental professionals, graduate students, and undergraduate students.

The Society of Women Engineers at UC Davis is an active section in the Sacramento-SVS area in California. Founded by Linda Finley, who is SWE@UCD’s current advisor today, the UC Davis section remains strong today with more than a hundred members. Some of our efforts include Night With Industry – a dinner for students with industry professionals, a “Big-Lil Sis” mentorship program, and Project Aspire, which is a day-long event with hands-on engineering activities for elementary and middle-school age girls in the area.

Engineers Without Borders (EWB) at UC Davis is a non-profit, student-run organization established to help developing areas worldwide with their development needs, while involving and training internationally responsible students. 

The UC Davis Chapter of ASCE is a very active organization which was formed with the goal of promoting the success of future civil engineers. Members are provided with networking opportunities through weekly meetings, company presentations, site visits, and the annual Fall Career Fair. Members are also encouraged to apply knowledge gained from coursework to hands-on project design and management. ASCE has six nationally recognized project teams which span all disciplines of civil engineering and welcome members of all experience levels. ASCE also actively engages with the Davis community through volunteer events.

Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM), Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional society focused on LGBTQ people in the STEM community. There are more than 65 student chapters at colleges/universities and professional chapters in cities across the United States and abroad. oSTEM at UC Davis seeks to empower LGBTQIA+ UC Davis students in STEM to succeed personally, academically, and professionally by cultivating an environment and community that nurture innovation, leadership, and advocacy. We strive to provide a safe space for all people to express themselves. To that end, we hold ourselves to a diversity policy built around respect for individuals regardless of where they are on life’s journey.

The UC Davis Graduate Student Association (GSA) represents the over 5,000 academic graduate students and management students on the UC Davis campus. As the officially recognized student government, GSA serves to empower students and build graduate student community through activities and advocacy.  Watch for the call for Student Reps each fall - Civil and Environmental Engineering usually gets 6 Reps!