Get Connected Locally Through a SWE Section or Affiliate

What is a Section or Affiliate?

Sections and affiliates offer a meaningful way for members to experience SWE. They expand SWE’s mission at the local and campus level, offering connection, support, and hands-on opportunities to become part of a community working to advance women in engineering. U.S. based sections and affiliates are a member benefit exclusively available to SWE members, providing them deeper engagement close to home or campus.

SWE uses different terms for groups based on their structure and location. Groups within the United States are called sections or affiliates, while groups outside of the United States are referred to as global affiliates.

Sections are typically more established, with larger memberships and a formal structure. They must elect officers and their charters are approved by the SWE Board of Directors. Affiliates, on the other hand, offer more flexibility for smaller and/or newer groups as they are required to only have 1-4 paid members.

Section/Affiliate Assignment

When a member joins SWE, they are automatically assigned a section or affiliate based on their geographic area if they are a professional member or based on the university they list in their education information if they are a collegiate member. This ensures that each member is connected with their nearest and most relevant local community. Members remain in their assigned section or affiliate until they request an update or graduate from their program. Collegiate sections and affiliates are for current student members only, both at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

How to Change Your Section/Affiliate Assignment

If you need to update your section/affiliate due to a change in location, school, or personal preference, follow these steps:

1. Log into the SWE portal.
2. Locate the “Community Group” field to view your current assignment.
3. Request an update using this form or by contacting membership@swe.org. 
4. Updates typically appear in your SWE Portal within a few business days.

How to Start a Section or Affiliate

Interested in starting a new section or affiliate? First, check to see if one already exists by exploring the map below. If no group exists, SWE sections and affiliates may be formed by university students on their campus or by professionals within a geographic area. Click here if you are interested in starting a section or affiliate in the United States or here for information on starting a global affiliate outside of the United States.