Student Societies

At Illinois ISE, learning doesn’t stop in the classroom. IISE and HFES give students direct access to industry leaders, national networks, mentorship and meaningful community. These societies help you grow as a professional, step into leadership and build friendships that last far beyond your time on campus.

Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)

IISE at Illinois is the student chapter of the national Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, and one of the most active professional organizations for ISE majors on campus. It offers a balanced mix of professional development, social community, and service experiences.

Why IISE?

  • Career-building opportunities: Workshops, resume help, opportunities to connect directly with alumni and professional speaker events that connect you with industries hiring ISE talent.

  • Social and community events: Social gatherings, networking nights and activities designed to help you build relationships and community with classmates and alumni.

  • Service and leadership: Volunteer initiatives and leadership roles that strengthen teamwork and leadership skills in real contexts.

 

Participation in IISE not only boosts your professional readiness — it also helps you build a network that supports you from your first internship through your graduate goals.

Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES)

HFES at Illinois is the student chapter of the national Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. HFES focuses on understanding and improving interactions between humans and systems from products and environments to digital interfaces and work processes all through multidisciplinary collaboration and design thinking.

 

6 students standing in a line outside the Transportation Building. They are attending the welcome week pizza party.

Why HFES?

  • Professional learning: Events and discussions that explore human-centered design principles, usability, systems performance and ergonomics in real-world applications.

  • Networking & mentorship: Connect with peers, faculty and professionals interested in human factors, ergonomics and related fields.

  • Hands-on experiences: Workshops, collaborative projects and guest talks help develop practical skills that complement ISE coursework.

HFES provides a way to explore human factors, ergonomics and human-centered systems design in depth—whether your interests are in engineering, UX, healthcare tech or human performance.

Campus-Wide Groups and Resources

Beyond IISE and HFES, there are dozens of registered student organizations across the University of Illinois that offer professional, technical, cultural, and social engagement — from engineering councils and honor societies to multidisciplinary teams and interest groups. 

 

Engineering Council Member Societies

Visit the College of Engineering’s Engineering Council Member Societies page for additional opportunities within the engineering community.

 

List of Illinois Student Organizations

Explore the full list of student orgs and find groups that match your interests on the UofI Connections portal.