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The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) at the University of Houston has been awarded the ASME Student Section Achievement Award for 2023-2024.

ASME-UH is "a professional student organization that aims to lead engineering students to success in all aspects of the engineering disciplines," with "conscious intention to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in all… programs, events, member outreach, learning and development opportunities, scholarships, and communications."

Most ASME-UH members are mechanical engineering students, but the organization is not major-or college-specific, and it welcomes students from any field of study who may be interested in learning more about mechanical engineering or the related tools and resources available. 

"We continue to be impressed by your commitment, new ideas, and collaboration with other student leaders," said ASME Student Section Engagement Coordinator Janice Parker.

According to former president Kevin Jandal, who began his freshman year as a mechanical engineering student at the Cullen College of Engineering in 2020, the award represents not only the organization's success in the 2023-24 academic year, but their growth and re-development post-COVID. 

"I really wanted to focus on [reconnecting] ASME-UH to the larger national ASME. We weren't interacting to take full advantage of all of the resources available to us, so one of my first initiatives was to make sure that student ASME-UH members got all of the full benefits of becoming national members," Jandal said. 

His goal of reinvigorating academic and professional development resources for students helped jumpstart multiple new initiatives, including study nights for specific courses as well as MATLAB and technical writing refresher tutorials, connections to national scholarships, mentorship programs, new networking opportunities, and the ASME Lab.

Located in the ASME lounge, this lab features six 3D printers, hand tools, and materials intended "to provide students all the resources they need, whether for classes or for personal projects." 

"Our lab committee operates [the facility] nearly 24/7, providing students with rapid prototyping and 3D printing for any project they have," said Jandal. "The way ASME-UH has built and operates this lab is something that hasn’t been done before by any student organization and supplements all departments of engineering."

"As an aspiring leader, I'm looking forward to seeing what more I may be able to do for our organization given how Kevin has left it," said 2024-25 ASME-UH president and mechanical engineering student Bryan Haro. "We won this one award this time, but we want to see if we can continue to level up and set a new foundation. Mechanical engineering is one of the largest majors in the college, and I think we have a vast number of ways to continue to grow and provide our fellow students with professional and academic skills."

The continued cooperation between Haro and Jandal is no accident. 

"Kevin's leadership actually inspired me to run for president," Haro said. 

Jandal, having seen the difficulty that disconnected officer cohorts can cause for student organizations that are looking to grow and thrive rather than just continue existing, was determined to ensure that a proper hand-off took place for ASME-UH.

"Here in my last semester, I really want to make sure I'm present for the new leadership and able to server as an advisor," he said. 

This year Haro looks forward to continuing to support ASME-UH's academic and professional development initiatives, their K-12 STEM interest and education outreach program, and the organization's student mentorship program, which matches student mentors and mentees according to their individual strengths and goals for the academic year. 

More information, including announcements, membership requirements and a calendar of upcoming events, can be found at the ASME-UH website.