The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) awarded the UCLA student chapter, ACM at UCLA, with the Outstanding School Service award for the 2019-2020 academic year. The recognition is given to student chapters whose events “have made significant contributions to their own schools.”
ACM at UCLA is the largest student-run computer science organization on campus and one of the largest in Southern California. It is subdivided into eight committees—AI, Cyber, Design, Hack, ICPC, Studio, Teach LA and W—each with a unique focus in the world of tech. Altogether, ACM’s roughly 100 officers put on hundreds of events throughout the year that encourage any student, regardless of major, prior experience, or background, to explore the incredible world of technology.
In its self-nomination, ACM highlighted its new initiatives for the past academic year such as ICPC’s Interview Track, which follows the CS 32 curriculum and prepares students for technical interviews, and W’s LGBTQ Google Panel. It also elaborated on the many weekly workshops and large one-offs all of its committees put on. Finally, it discussed ACM’s impact on the curriculum, which include the organization of the annual CS Town Hall with UPE and the lobbying and development of the new CS 97: Software Construction Projects course.
ACM previously won the award in 2018, and also attained the Outstanding Chapter Activities Award in 2017. The chapter will receive a “best of” icon to display and a cash prize of $500.