The future of your profession is in our students’ hands.

ISACA Student Groups

The new ISACA Student Groups (ISG) will encourage education beyond the classroom and allow students to network and learn from each other. ISG members will also be encouraged to make the most of their experience by becoming ISACA student members. Local chapters will be enlisted to help provide meaningful interactions with professionals in the field. By participating in both university and chapter events, students will gain knowledge and experience that will put them far ahead of the competition when it comes time to begin their career.

For Universities—Starting an ISACA Student Group

An ISACA Student Group is an on-campus student group of the university. Depending on university guidelines, students in the group may or may not be members of the local chapter and ISACA International. Each ISG is affiliated with and supported by a local chapter of ISACA, and ISACA membership is promoted to all students.

ISACA has created a four-stage maturity model to help with the implementation of ISGs on university campuses. Goals are to interest students in ISACA, to form student groups on campus linked to ISACA’s chapter structure, and to promote ISACA membership.

Review these stages and decide where your school needs to start!

Stage 1—for schools that want to build awareness of ISACA
Stage 2—for schools that have student interest and awareness of ISACA, but no student group
Stage 3—for schools that have an inactive or minimally active ISACA Student Group
Stage 4—for schools that have an active ISACA Student Group

ISACA International will continue to provide all student members with benefits that are designed to meet their needs. ISACA will provide a standard ISACA student group logo to all approved student groups.

Although each student group formed may run differently depending on the requirements of the respective university, sample guidelines have been created for student groups to use as a template when forming their student group.

For Chapters—Helping Your Local University get an ISG Started

The Chapter’s Academic Relations Coordinator (ARC) and the local university Academic Advocate/Advisor may initiate the planning and implementation of the ISG. The ARC will be responsible for reporting to the local chapter board the progress, upcoming events and/or any assistance that may be required by the ISG in its formative stages. ISG assistance may include financial help, educational information, networking opportunities and assistance with obtaining a speaker. ISG members should also be invited to attend local chapter meetings and events.

A planning checklist can be used by chapters to assist in preparing for student outreach meetings or “college nights” that are hosted by the chapter.

Any monies collected by the local chapter for student dues of members of that particular ISG should be used to directly assist the ISG with items, such as refreshments and marketing materials. If money is given directly to the ISG, it will be the responsibility of the ISG treasurer and the faculty advisor to keep record of expenditures.

In addition, ISACA works with local chapters regarding the Academic Advocate program. When ISACA receives an application for a new Academic Advocate, the president of the local chapter in that area is notified via email, and is given two weeks to respond with comments. Chapters are also invited to suggest professors with whom they have been working who might qualify as Academic Advocates.

For questions regarding student membership and Student Group formation, please contact Summer Cole at scole@isaca.org or at +1.847.660.5595.