Student Clubs & Organizations

There are a number of student organizations at the College. The groups sponsor academic forums such as lectures or short courses, raise money, and attend national conferences. 

Current Students

These organizations provide mentorship, organize academic and social activities, and offer support services that fulfill the unique needs of our architecture and design students and enhance the experiences of the broader NJIT community.

ACM SIGGRAPH

ACM SIGGRAPH is a global non-profit, volunteer organization providing year-round programs for the computer graphics community. NJIT SIGGRAPH is a student-run organization at NJIT focusing on providing information, resources, tutoring, and networking opportunities in the Digital Design program, as well as related computer graphics and interactive technology fields. The group meets four times a year to view video or multimedia computer graphics presentations, hear lectures, provide tutorials, or for panel or discussion groups. Topics commonly covered in group discussions revolve around the SIGGRAPH animated shorts introduced at the annual SIGGRAPH conference, which is an integral part of faculty participation in the large organization.

The chapter works to form an esprit du corps among digital design students, to foster a digital community, and promote cross disciplinary interaction throughout the School of Art + Design.  Chapter membership also awards special SIGGRAPH benefits such as discounts on conferences, publications, and videos. 

The Faculty Advisor is Glenn Goldman​, Director Emeritus of School of Art + Design and Professor at the Hillier College of Architecture and Design

ALPHA RHO CHI

HCAD proudly supports the Domitian Chapter of Alpha Rho Chi (APX) the national co-ed professional-social fraternity for architecture and the allied arts. Founded in 1914, the fraternity is based on the principle of encouraging leadership, fellowship, networking, and the furtherance of all the professional arts.

Established at NJIT in 2001, the Domitian Chapter boasts a diverse membership made up of students with a consistently high record of academic achievement in disciplines including architecture, design, engineering, and construction management. The local Chapter organizes student support for HCAD and fulfillment activities for members, including portfolio reviews, museum trips, community outreach, and professional development. It also works to provide support and mentorship to incoming freshmen. Each year, APX bestows the Alpha Rho Chi Award to a graduating Bachelor of Architecture student “who has demonstrated the highest qualities of leadership and service within the School of Architecture community.”

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS STUDENTS

The American Institute of Architects – Students (AIAS) is an independent, 501c3 non-profit, student run organization. This grassroots association is a cooperative among thousands of students in North America (of all ages and academic degrees) committed to helping each other. It provides a sense of community and a forum to share differing views. The AIAS is also a pre-professional organization that is the official voice of architecture students.

The mission of the AIAS is:

  • To promote excellence in architecture education, training and practice. We celebrate our membership in several ways. Members of the AIAS have the opportunity to have their work published in Crit, Journal of the AIAS, the only international journal devoted to the work and critical thoughts of architecture students.
  • To foster an appreciation of architecture and related disciplines. We host an annual convention, FORUM, which provides students with the opportunity to learn about the issues facing architectural education and the profession, to meet students and professionals with common interests, and to interact with some of today’s leading architects and designers. There are also several Quad conferences which focus on chapters in the Northeast. Members have the opportunity to meet and learn from students from other schools in the area.
  • To enrich communities in a spirit of collaboration. Through the Freedom by Design™ programs and local Habitat for Humanity branches, we are supporting and encouraging our members to be good citizens in their communities. We also help through in-school events such as panel discussions, group trips and meetings with the AIA-NJ.
  • To organize students and combine their efforts to advance the art and science of architecture. We serve as the sole student voice in the decision making process of such organizations as The American Institute of Architects (AIA), Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), and National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

ASHRAE Student Branch

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), founded in 1894, is a global society dedicated to advancing human well-being through sustainable technology for the built environment. ASHRAE's mission is to "serve humanity by advancing the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and their allied fields." The Society and its members focus on building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality and sustainability within the industry. Through research, standards writing, publishing and continuing education, ASHRAE shapes tomorrow’s built environment today.
 
The NJIT ASHRAE is a student organization formed in 2020, which is an officially recognized student organization at NJIT and ASHRAE. Most of our members are undergraduate or graduate students in the NJIT School of Architecture, although we welcome members from other departments as well. The organization provides an opportunity for students involved in architecture or engineering to learn more about their role in sustainable design through research projects, educational programs, and networking opportunities in local and national conferences. Our sponsoring ASHRAE chapter is the ASHRAE New Jersey Chapter.

The Faculty Advisor is Dr. Hyojin Kim, Associate Professor at the Hillier College of Architecture and Design.

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN SOCIETY OF AMERICA (IDSA)

Founded in 1965, the nonprofit Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) is one of the oldest and largest membership organizations for industrial design professionals. IDSA sponsors the annual International Design Excellence Awards® (IDEA), the world’s most prestigious industrial design honor, and its events, including an annual International Design Conference and five district conferences. IDSA has more than 3,200 members in 28 professional chapters in the US and internationally.

NJIT IDSA is the student chapter of the Industrial Designers Society of America. We consist of local students and educators from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. As a local student chapter we provide a community of Industrial Design influencers to the student body and beyond. We provide the city of Newark with lectures, workshops, events, and much more.

The Faculty Advisor is Mathew Schwartz, Assistant Professor at the Hillier College of Architecture and Design.

INTERNATIONAL INTERIOR DESIGN ASSOCIATION

IIDA, with respect for past accomplishments of Interior Design leaders, strives to create a strong niche for the most talented and visionary Interior Design professionals, to elevate the profession to the level it warrants, and to lead the way for the next generation of Interior Design innovators. The Association provides a forum to demonstrate design professionals’ impact on the health, safety, well being and virtual soul of the public, balancing passion for good design and strategy for best business practices. IIDA stands at the intersection of passion and strategy where designers create extraordinary interiors and experiences.

IIDA is a professional networking and educational Association of 13,000 Members in 10 specialty practice forums and 29 Chapters around the world.

The Faculty Advisor is David Brothers, Interior Design Coordinator and Senior University Lecturer at the Hillier College of Architecture and Design.

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF MINORITY ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS

The National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS) is a pre-professional group of undergraduate and graduate students who are part of a national network of NOMAS chapters. We are the student group associated with the professional group, of a similar name, NOMA. Mark Bess is the faculty advisor. 

The NOMAS membership is dedicated to encouraging awareness about the past, present, and future role of minorities in the architecture community. We do this by sponsoring student workshops, by participating in local and national conferences, by speaking at career fairs for local schools, and through our involvement with NJIT’s Graduate Student Association.

In the past two years the NJIT chapter has been the largest student contingent among the student chapters, and has drawn favorable attention from the NOMA leadership, resulting in the appointment of fifth year HCAD student Gregory Bassiely, to the national board. The NJIT NOMAS chapter plays an active role within the school. We have hosted lectures with prestigious architects such as Phil Freelon and the late J. Max Bond. We have held various workshops for computer programs such as Photoshop, SketchUp, and Revit as well as portfolio and resume workshops.

We are also making large strides towards having NOMAS known throughout the entire campus. In Spring 2009, NOMASwas awarded “The Outstanding Diversity Program of the Year” and “The Innovative Group of the Year” during the NJITHighlander Student Awards Ceremony for our Black History Month Exhibition. We have also contributed to the profession by having helped establish the New Jersey chapter of NOMA.