The Atlanta Chapter of ASHRAE is committed to supporting students interested in pursuing a career in the HVAC&R industry, related industries and professions, or sustainable and high performing buildings generally. Our Student Activities Committee works with both K-12 and college-level students, especially our Student Branches, to increase awareness and support education to help develop them into successful HVAC&R and related professionals. We are committed to offering activities and opportunities to effectively engage students with the HVAC&R industry and building energy sustainability generally, and we encourage all members to pitch in.

The Chapter also supports the nationwide Architecture, Construction, Engineering “ACEMentor” after school program for high school students (See https://sites.google.com/acementoratl.org/about/home), which meets with 11^th and 12^th grade students weekly from January to May offering industry engagement and scholarships.

Scholarship/Grant Opportunities: Information can be found here. 

Student Design Competitions: Information can be found here.

Student Activities Leaders:  The Atlanta ASHRAE Student Activities Committee (SAC) chair for 2025-26 is Ken Gilbert (kggtuga@gmail.com).  Student Branch advisors are listed on the Student Branches page.

Joining ASHRAE and Fee for Student Members: Student membership is offered to engineering and related arts and sciences students interested in HVAC&R and the built environment generally. Your $30 (in 2025) membership fee is paid for by the Atlanta ASHRAE chapter! 

To join, Access the membership fillable form. Complete section 1, the section 2 header (selecting “student”), section 2.a, and optionally section 2.b.  Email the completed PDF to your student branch advisor and to Ken Gilbert.

Chapter and YEA Meetings: Look for current schedules and pre-registration here. Chapter meetings are free for Student Branch members. Evening meetings in April and November are of special interest to students.  Most Young Engineers in ASHRAE (YEA) events are also free. For both, students please pre-register but do not pay online. Bar drink tickets cannot be given to students, and alternative beverages will be available.

Special Student Events: The Student Activities Chair plans to provide on an annual basis some specific events such as: one or more student programs at Chapter dinner meetings, an annual career fair; an annual resume clinic and associated resume bank, classroom presentations as appropriate; support to student design contests, etc.

Volunteers: We welcome volunteers whether to suggest, assist, conduct, or develop student events.  If this interests you, then contact us to get involved. Events of interest include: tours of novel or otherwise interesting building or developmental HVAC&R systems, tours of OEM facilities, tours of RND facilities, industry focused training events or programs, participation in career days and career development events, etc.

Winter Conference: We encourage students to attend an ASHRAE Winter Conference, during which a special student program is conducted. See here about the Feb 2025 conference in Orlando.  A few travel grants/scholarships are available; please contact Ken Gilbert for additional information.

Additional Info: You can find more information about Student Activities on the ASHRAE Student Zone site or by contacting Ken Gilbert or your Student Branch Advisor