The UC Santa Cruz student chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) is more than a Baskin Engineering student organization—it’s a hub for students to learn, collaborate, and prepare for future careers.
UCSC ACM is the largest and most active computing club on campus, with a network of more than 1,000 members. Entirely student led, the club fosters a strong sense of community, helping students develop technical skills and gain hands-on experience.
While 80% of club members are Baskin Engineering computer science and computer engineering majors, UCSC ACM is open to all students. The club also is committed to supporting students from all backgrounds, with more than half of its members coming from communities historically underrepresented in STEM.
“Our goal is to provide a supportive and inclusive environment for anyone interested in computer science and engineering,” said Harish Prabhakaran, a fourth year computer engineering student and president of UCSC ACM. “We want to help students access resources that will help them succeed—whether that’s in the classroom, in research, or in industry.”
Prabhakaran has played a key role in expanding the club’s structure. What began as a small leadership board has grown into a comprehensive team with five branches that provide weekly technical workshops, introduce students to AI research, host social events for networking, support project development from prototype to production, and organize an annual hackathon.
Founded in 1947, ACM is the oldest and arguably the most prestigious international professional society for computing. ACM presents the A.M. Turing Award, considered the Nobel Prize in computing.
The club’s connection to the parent organization is also strengthened by Baskin Engineering Dean Alexander Wolf, who has held key leadership roles including serving as the society’s president and chair of its Executive Committee.
“I have been impressed by the commitment shown by the chapter’s members in achieving their academic goals and using ACM to find community and network with like-minded students,” said Wolf.
“As a long-standing ACM member and volunteer myself, It is hard to overstate the importance of developing the next generation of professionals through organizations like ACM and ACM-W.”
Building career readiness
UCSC ACM’s instruction branch supports professional development for undergraduates through hands-on workshops, helping students gain practical experience in areas such as web development, system design, and hardware programming.
The branch also offers resume reviews, mock interviews, and portfolio-building sessions to help members secure internships, research positions, and full-time jobs after graduation.
Led by experienced upperclassmen or alumni, these workshops create an approachable, peer-driven environment that encourages knowledge sharing and confidence building.
“There is a lot of generosity within the club,” said Mason Brown, a second year computer science student and co-vice president of UCSC ACM. “I’ve learned so much from other members—whether it’s about internships, which classes to take, or how to get involved in undergraduate research.”
Fostering industry and community connection
The community branch of UCSC ACM organizes social events, collaborates with other UCSC student organizations, and arranges field trips to nearby Silicon Valley tech companies.
The club recently visited a Tesla factory and LinkedIn headquarters, where members had the opportunity to network and learn from industry leaders.
“Many students feel nervous about reaching out to industry professionals,” Brown said. “ACM helps members realize that these professionals are eager to meet new talent and offer advice. We work to remove the fear from networking and show students that it’s not as intimidating as it may seem.”
The branch also engages with the local community. In fall 2024, UCSC ACM participated in the Computer Science Playground Community Night, hosted by the Santa Cruz County Office of Education, where members taught middle school students programming basics using educational robots.
“We want to show younger students how fun and accessible programming can be,” said Namrat Keskar, a third year computer science student and co-vice lead for UCSC ACM events. “It’s a great way to spark early interest in STEM.”
Creating experiential learning opportunities
One the club’s flagship events is ACM Hacks, an annual hackathon where students from UCSC and other institutions come together to collaborate on software projects. Launched in 2023, the event has quickly become a campus favorite, attracting over 120 student participants and judges from companies such as Google, Cisco, and Salesforce.
“Our hackathon is completely free for students, with meals, resources, and mentorship provided,” Brown said. “We’re proud to offer a space where students can build projects, connect with industry professionals, and even earn internship referrals.”
The hackathon emphasizes themes of sustainability and technology for social good, reflecting Baskin Engineering’s focus on developing solutions with positive impact.
Expanding technical expertise
UCSC ACM offers members opportunities to engage in hands-on projects that enhance their classroom learning.
In fall 2023, the club launched an undergraduate research group, giving students the chance to work on innovative AI projects and gain valuable research experience.
Club members are also contributing to the development and maintenance of SlugLoop, a bus tracking system designed to improve UCSC transportation. By facilitating the project’s growth, ACM students have the opportunity to refine their technical skills while working on a real-world solution.
Looking ahead
The club is focused on expanding its reach and strengthening connections within the Santa Cruz area and beyond.
“We want to create long-lasting relationships with the broader technological ecosystem in California,” Prabhakaran said. “This will help our members pursue opportunities and connections that could shape their future careers.”
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