IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu
who, what, why, how?
The honor society of IEEE
Nancy Ostin, IEEE-HKN Director

1What is IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu?
 We are the honor society of IEEE
 Founded in 1904 at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign as Eta Kappa Nu; merged with IEEE in2010 to become IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu

 240 Chapters at colleges and universities worldwide
 Candidates are invited to join based on their academic
ranking, their character and attitude. The goal is to be
the catalyst for the development of “The Complete
Technical Professional.” Recognized around the globe as the one honor societythat represents the highest values of our profession.

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Why Join IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu?
 Employers around the world recognize the designationof HKN and understand that IEEE-HKN members are of
the best candidates and are well-rounded, articulate,and community minded.

 Network with the top students at major universities.
 Access to key university decision makers for references,
research, graduate school and beyond.

 By sharing a tradition with nearly 200,000 IEEE-HKN

inductees worldwide, this network will help develop youreducation, career, and professional growth.

3Benefits of IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu
 Be distinguished from other students through a recognition that
acknowledges your academic achievements.

 Provides leadership opportunities for your professional

development: both on the local level (as a Chapter officer) andthe global level (at conferences, on committees).

 THE BRIDGE, the official publication of IEEE-HKN, offers

valuable resources to members and invites students to submit
papers for publication.

 Be recognized for your achievements through awards in

categories such as Outstanding Student, Outstanding Chapter,Outstanding Young Professional; other awards given for service
to universities and technical expertise4

Student Leadership Conference The Annual IEEE-HKN Student Leadership Conference is free
for all IEEE-HKN student members. Attendees participate in
networking, learn from distinguished speakers, and attend
chapter development activities are extremely valuable.

5The BRIDGE
The signature publication of IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu is THE
BRIDGE. Named after the “wheatstone bridge,” thesymbolism reflects IEEE-HKN’s goal to assist members
to obtain balance in their professional and personallives.
All members receive a complimentary subscription.
THE BRIDGE is published three times a year.
The BRIDGE is available on www.hkn.org.

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Who Can Join IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu?
 Academic criteria is established for your country anduniversity; typically includes the top students in their
2nd, 3rd, or 4th year of their first academic degree.

 Character: An individual must be of exceptional

character demonstrating such character to their peers.

 Attitude: An individual must have the proper attitude

to work hard, continually challenging himself/herself,
willing to help others, and to use their talents andsuperior skills in service to their university, department
and peers.

7IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu Induction Categories
Candidates must meet the criteria established and invited to joinby their Chapter: Undergraduate students – those pursuing their firstacademic degree in their second through fourth year.

 Graduate Students – are inducted based on faculty
recommendation.

 Faculty Members – are encouraged to join to support thework of the Chapter.

 Professional Members – those who have done meritorious
work in one of the areas of the IEEE-designated technicalfields.

8What Does an IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu
Student Chapter Do?
 Identifies and invites candidates to join their chapter
as IEEE-HKN members

 Organizes scholarly activities such as technical talks,industry visits, distinguished lecturers

 Enjoys a close relationship with faculty and often
invites faculty for lunch or special sessions

 Chapters assist their peers through tutoring, exam

preparation, peer mentoring, technical competitions,community outreach to pre-University students, and tothe community at large

9How Is An IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu Chapter
Different From An IEEE Student Branch?
 You must be invited to join
 IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu students are expected to perform

community service to their Universities, Departments,peers, and the community. Last year, the 23 Chapter
recognized as “Outstanding” a cumulative 50,000
hours of service for an average of 50 hours per person

 IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu students serve as role models toothers, always demonstrating our highest ideals

 IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu students develop programs forothers; the focus is on being of service to others,
developing skills, and commitment to the profession

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Can We Work with the IEEE Student Branch?
 YES!!!!
 There are several models used for cooperation, The
program is flexible to best accommodate what will
work for your Chapter: Independent Model – the two operate independently of eachother
 Collaborative Model – the two operate separately but
collaborate on projects and activities
 Integrated Model – operate as a sub-unit of the Student
Branch, individuals holds similar officer positions and share
the Faculty Advisor/Branch Counselor Other (to be determined by needs)

11Benefit to the University of anIEEE-HKN Student Chapter
Chapters provide service to the student bodySome Examples:
Tutoring

Programs

Homework
help/tutoring
sessions

Tech talks for STEM
all students
outreach

Exam prep,
Industry
course guides visits, career
programs
Grad school,
researchhelp, labsessions
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Leadershipprograms,
ceremonies

OutreachSocialFood drives,
movie nights,
contests

Community
projects(robotics)

Lunch/dinnerwith professors

PreUniversity
engineering
projects

Pre-exam party
to relievestressBenefit to the Department of anIEEE-HKN Student Chapter
Recognition of the
Scholastic achievementsof the student body –recruitment incentive

Course Guides and peer
advising

Town Hall for all
students, Introduction
to Engineering for newstudents
Tutoring and homework
help. Exam Prep
workshops and labs

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Ambassadors for thedepartment toprospective students,
alumni and donors

Communities Helpedby IEEE-HKN Chapters
Habitat for Humanity, Engineering 4 Kids, “RebuildingTogether” low income housing restoration, Staff orProfessor Appreciation Day, Food Pantry, Clothing
Drives, Inter-Society activities, Engineering Sports Day,
Trick or Treat for UNICEF, BrushBots, Science Night,
Scholarships, Project Accessibility, Lego Robots,
Faraday Flashlights, “laser field” at a community day,Augmented Reality Workshop, Junkyard Derby, Admit
Day, Highway Clean-up, Resume and Interview
workshop, High School Robotics Clubs, charity volleyball
tournament, E-day fundraiser, blood drive, snack nightsocials, and so much more.

14Requirements to Form An IEEE-Eta
Kappa Nu Chapter

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Recently formed Chapters in Regions 7–10
 Bharati Vidyapeeth’s College of Engineering The University of Hong Kong
 Dalhousie University (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada) National University of Singapore Texas A&M University at Qatar Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey Mexico

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The Paperwork
More details on the process for forming an IEEE-HKN Chapter is on the IEEEHKN Website
http://www.hkn.org/admin/new_chapter.asp
1. Contact info@hkn.org to start the process
2. Letter from a minimum of at least 8 eligible
students wishing to establish the chapter andbecome its charter members
3. Letter of endorsement from the university officials to establish the chapter
and support its formation on campus
4. Letter from university officials stating the school met requirements of arecognized regional or professional accrediting agency
5. Proposed operations manual for the new chapter

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Famous IEEE-HKN Inductees

Leah Jamieson

Steve Wozniak

Vincent Poor
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Gordon Moore

Vinton Cerf

Questions?
For more information, contact
Nancy Ostin
IEEE-HKN Director
Phone: +1 732 465 6611
Email: n.ostin@ieee.org
For general questions
Email: info@hkn.org
Visit: www.hkn.org
Facebook: “IEEE Eta Kappa Nu”
Twitter: @IEEE_EtaKappaNu
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