Enhancing the MEM Student Experience

Administrators and staff members of Northwestern's Master of Engineering Management (MEM) program put great stock in ensuring students have a valuable and enjoyable experience during their time in the program. To help make that happen, MEM turned to the students to help shape their own experience.

The Student Advisory Board (SAB) was founded in 2013 to be the voice of the Master of Engineering Management students. The SAB is responsible for hosting monthly networking events, social events, competitions, and workshops. The board represents many different audiences and is comprised of both part-time and full-time students. The goal is to create both professional and social situations for current students, alumni, faculty, and professionals to interact in order to provide a well-rounded experience.

SAB Chair Drew Childs and Communications Chair Gabrielle D'Anna recently took time to talk about why they joined the SAB and how it impacts the MEM student experience.

Why did you want to get involved with SAB?

Gabrielle D'Anna: I decided to join SAB as an opportunity to be more involved in the program. One of the first things that MEM Program Director Mark Werwarth told us during orientation is that we will get out of the program as much as we put into it, and SAB gives students the opportunities to be more involved. MEM is just as much about the personal growth of the individual as it is of our professional growth, and I believe SAB helps balance the social and professional aspects of the program.

What are some examples of recent social activities the SAB helped coordinate?

Gabrielle D'Anna: We host a ‘Second Friday’ event on a monthly basis and switch between Evanston and downtown Chicago locations. We recently had an evening at Buddy Guy’s Legends and a Karaoke Bar, with our next event being at Five and Dime in Evanston. From a professional networking side, SAB recently hosted a RoundTable discussion for students and alumni prior to our annual Industry Night. An annual tradition of SAB is to host a “Paint the Rocks” Event in celebration of the graduating students. It’s a well-attended event where students and their families come together for games and a cookout on the Northwestern Lakefill.

Drew Childs: The SAB also hosts an event for the "Salute to Big 10 Night" at a Chicago Cubs baseball game in Wrigley Field. The Cubs recognize Northwestern and usually give Cubs SWAG in our school's colors, like purple Cubs blankets or purple Cubs hats.

How do you feel the SAB impacts the overall MEM Student experience?

Gabrielle D'Anna: The Student Advisory Board hopes to create a community within the Northwestern family by providing different outlets for students to come together. With a very diverse student body, it a great way to meet other students from around the world as well as gain insight into many different industries.

Drew Childs: When I was first accepted into the program, I attended one of the Second Friday events where I was able to meet a lot of the current students as well as recent alumni. I met a lot of the SAB board and I was able to get a great feel for the program and a better understanding of the future challenges I would soon be facing. I think these opportunities that welcome students in this manner and give them continuing opportunities to get to know each other and network are very important in keeping the new students as involved as possible from the very beginning. That way,  they can get as much out of the MEM experience as they can, in addition to what is achieved inside the classroom.