The Bridge - Issue 1, 2020 - 5

Development Spotlight

Connecting our Alumni Network
Our expansive global network of alumni has always
been our greatest strength. HKN members have
founded some of the most successful companies in
the world, made discoveries that have transformed the
field, and created tools that each of us use in our daily
lives. When HKN alumni connect, the possibilities are
endless. In order to best leverage our powerful network,
we need to create a system that better facilitates
these connections.
Scholarship: The Iota Gamma Chapter at the University of California at Los Angeles, a 2019 Outstanding Chapter Award winner, inducted 32 members
in November 2019 and 29 members in May 2019.

Building a Stronger Future for IEEE-HKN
IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu is more than just an honor
society-it is a lifetime designation and a connection
to some of the most talented engineering minds around
the world.
Every day, HKN members rise to meet the needs and
challenges of our time, pushing the envelope for what
is possible in the fields of electrical and electronics
engineering every single day. Since 1904, our society
has recognized those whose curiosity and determination
know no boundaries. Students and professionals who
refuse to give up until the problem is solved. Engineers
who hear the calls of their communities, and answer
through their willingness to serve others. Our three
organizational ideals lie at the heart of all that we do-
Scholarship, Character and Attitude.
For more than a century, HKN has fostered an
exceptional community and grown its network across
the globe. Now, we have an opportunity to make HKN
membership more meaningful than ever. We are ready
to be bolder, think bigger, and transform electrical
and electronics engineering by empowering the next
generation of leaders in our field-but we can't do it
without the philanthropic support of those who believe
in us most.
One of the most important components when looking at
philanthropic support is ensuring the priorities that are in
line with the needs of students and alumni. To ensure we
got this right, we took a scientific approach.

THE BRIDGE

Over the course of six months:
* Reviewed communications materials to assess
HKN's current development infrastructure and
fundraising potential
* Distributed a survey to more than 27,000 alumni
* Held 18 individual interviews
* Held one focus group workshop
Based on the feedback we received, the following
priorities were identified to provide new opportunities
for students to learn and grow; to activate an extensive
alumni network through deeper engagement; and
to ensure that HKN can continue to build lifelong
connections with members well into the future.
Throughout the year, visibility around the following
efforts will be increased. Today, we want to introduce
you to the priorities:
Fueling the Success of Our Campus Chapters
For many members of HKN, campus chapters are a
gateway to all that the organization has to offer and
define what an HKN community can look like. Each
year chapter officers plan engaging programs that
enrich the college experience and often provide a
home base on campus where students can collaborate
and build community with their professors and peers.
Our chapters accomplish so much on their campuses
and beyond, exhibiting a high degree of autonomy
and resourcefulness to make the HKN experience
memorable for students. Many operate on few resources,
and as a result can face limitations in the opportunities
they can provide to students.

least one delegate to the Conference. However, this
typically cannot cover the full cost of attendance in
most cases, and chapters must often use their own
resources to send student delegates to the Student
Leadership Conference. This means that chapters with
fewer resources sometimes miss out on the dynamic
programming that this event offers.
Recognizing Leaders of Today & Tomorrow
At HKN, we foster an environment that encourages
and celebrates the continued success of our members
and alumni. The awards program is a critical component
of the Eta Kappa Nu experience, recognizing the
exceptional achievements of members around
the world.

Character: Members of the IEEE-HKN Alpha Chapter at the University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , also a 2019 Outstanding Chapter Award
winner, build circuits with students at an area middle school as part of
a community outreach program.

Throughout the years, the organization has been an
important venue for professionals to provide support to
one another and further their careers. When a member
loses touch with this powerful network of HKN peers,
he or she misses out on the potential to establish
important human connections that shape personal
and professional lives. And while we've engaged more
alumni in recent years, it is time to further systematize
our work in this area.
Expanding Access to the Student
Leadership Conference
The annual Student Leadership Conference is HKN's
signature opportunity for student leaders from chapters
all over the world to kick-start their careers through
engaging professional development, leadership, and
networking activities. From dynamic keynote speakers
sharing their perspectives on the workforce of today, to
interactive breakout skill-building sessions, the Student
Leadership Conference is the best chance for HKN
delegates to build connections among the organization's
membership network and to share what they've learned
with other students in their home chapters.
HKN currently provides support in the form of a $250
stipend intended to assist each chapter in sending at

Attitude: Attendees of the 2019 IEEE-HKN Student Leadership
Conference write personal notes thanking individuals who contributed
to the Student Leadership Conference Fund, which helps offset the costs
of sending members to the conference.

Building an Endowment for Eta Kappa Nu
We want to ensure that Eta Kappa Nu can continue
making an impact on the lives of talented electrical and
electronics engineers for our next 100 years. By growing
our endowment, we can build a perennially strong and
sustainable foundation to maintain and build upon the
experiences we create for HKN members. In order to
grow and create programs, better serve our members,
and weather future storms, we must ensure our
core stability.
We want to extend a special thanks to all of those
who played a part in creating these priorities. It is only
through your support that HKN can influence the
engineers that will follow in your footsteps.
Feeling Inspired? Make your gift today
by following this link.
https://www.ieeefoundation.org/ieee_hkn

HKN.ORG

https://www.ieeefoundation.org/ieee_hkn https://www.ieeefoundation.org/ieee_hkn https://hkn.ieee.org/ https://hkn.ieee.org/

The Bridge - Issue 1, 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Bridge - Issue 1, 2020