Saint Xavier University offers many opportunities for students to engage on campus. Whether it be community based involvement or regulatory campus involvement, there is something for everyone at Saint Xavier University.
However, many opportunities can be often passed by, but here at the Xavierite we are putting a spotlight on one of our campus organizations.
That organization is Student Working to Advance Technology (SWAT), a student association lead by president Manuel Robles, vice president Denisse Marquez, secretary D’Andre Slaughter and treasurer Brandon Torres.
SWAT recently had a mentoring event in the Saint Xavier University student lounge.
The event was a success.It was engaging and insightful with a plan to connect individuals and offer growth to undergraduates. Robles spoke on the importance of mentorship and building connections.
The event lasted from four to six in the afternoon on October 23, 2014.
I had the opportunity to speak with president Robles on the fundamentals of building an organization, the mission and work behind Student Working to Advance Technology.
Robles says that the motivation behind SWAT was that there was a missing focus on promoting information technology.
SWAT hosts events and meetings around campus.
The organization began with a group of Computer Science students in the spring of 2014.
The origin of the name came from Slaughter who is a co-founder.
SWAT is open to all students at Saint Xavier University.
Robles says “The mission of SWAT is open to anyone interested in technology, whether a Computer Science major or a non-computer-related major: their build, programming, or application.
SWAT will inform and teach broad and specific concepts to students, host events to enhance education and the opportunity to network with other technology students and professionals also having assistance on building skills for a technology.”
Robles says in five years he sees SWAT participating in technology competitions and networking with other organizations on campus and off campus. SWAT has innovation at it’s center, but what ignites the idea of an organization.
“If you have an idea for a club, build it. Do not wait for the right time or for someone else to do it. Take risks and do everything with passion,”stated Robles.
Pioneers often face difficulties especially when starting organizations. Robles admitted the most challenging thing is recruiting students to a newly establish organization, but says the most rewarding is helping their members attain internships and to hear student’s success stories is really rewarding.
Many times, organizations have traditional events.
Of this Robles stated, “We’re still in the process of determining which events are popular. So far, the Mentoring Event has been a success.”
The goal for SWAT is to become a well-known organization on campus and to have meetings or events every two week.
They also always want to maintain a constant communication with SWAT members through Facebook, Orgsync and Email stated by Robles.
Robles also mentions SWAT holds partnerships with the Illinois Technology Foundation – Student Technology Clubs and attends events such as Webinars, conferences and mentoring events.
Robles finish’s with saying Student Work to Advance Technology future plans consists of building a PC workshop and host a panel of Information Technology professionals.
With the introduction of technology in todays society.
SWAT provides a forefront of Technology and offers many opportunities.
SWAT is a exceptional organization on campus and envisions a bright future ahead.
Robles and all of SWAT want to let everyone on campus know that “SWAT believes that no matter what your major is or what your career choice is, you are going to end up in front of technology.”
For more information on Student to Advance Technology look them up on Facebook and Orgsync.
SWAT is just one of the many organizations that offer great opportunities here at Saint Xavier University.
Jorge Pliego
Features Editor
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