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Automotive Engineering

Clubs & Organizations

Collage of different student events

Getting involved in student and professional organizations not only grows your networks but it helps you apply classroom lessons to real-world scenarios, setting you apart for future employers. Automotive Engineering students can choose between several engineering-focused clubs and organizations to join to enrich their time at Clemson.

Engineering Organizations

Student chapters and professional societies hold regular meetings throughout the fall and spring semesters, providing students the opportunity to engage with one another, faculty and practicing professionals.

  • Clemson Automotive Engineering Student Association

    Annual elections are held for several positions in the Clemson Automotive Engineering Student Association. This body of officers advocates for student concerns directly to faculty and staff in the department, who can take these considerations and hopefully make positive changes. This Student Association is a Designated Student Organization through Clemson University, the highest level a student organization can achieve. The Student Association is also responsible for planning and executing numerous events throughout the semester. To see the list of current officers and for more information, please visit our TigerQuest organization page.

  • Automotive Engineering Student Ambassadors

    Student Ambassadors for the Department of Automotive Engineering represent us at events, give tours to prospective students, and often fill in where staff and faculty cannot. The great thing about this program is that you set your schedule, and ambassadors are paid via gift cards! To sign up, please email automotive@clemson.edu and indicate your interest. You’ll complete a Tiger Training course and then are eligible to be on the email list to sign up as an ambassador for numerous events as they come in.

    Ambassador Overview
  • Society of Automotive Engineers Student Chapter (SAE)

    The Society of Automotive Engineers at Clemson University offers its members the opportunity to apply their engineering skills to hands-on automotive projects. SAE is an international organization created to share knowledge between students and engineers. The Clemson chapter’s activities include monthly meetings, plant tours, and two design projects — Formula SAE and Mini Baja.

    Formula SAE (CUFSAE)

    Clemson University Formula SAE (CUFSAE) is a student organization dedicated to enriching students by allowing them to apply what they have learned in class. From engineering to marketing, computer programming to graphic design, CUFSAE offers something for every student. The group aims to provide students with the tools to learn as much as possible while exploring employment possibilities in the automotive industry.

    Baja SAE

    Clemson Baja SAE is a non-profit organization that allows students to apply the knowledge acquired in the classroom to a real-world setting. Baja SAE is a collegiate design competition sponsored by the Society of Automotive Engineers. Teams from universities around the world compete in an off-road challenge. Student members work together to design, build, test, promote, and race a rugged, single-seat, off-road vehicle.

  • Engineering Societies: NSBE, SHPE, SWE

    National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)

    With nearly 30,000 members, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) is one of the largest student-governed organizations in the US. Founded in 1975, the NSBE’s mission is to “increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.”

    Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)

    SHPE is a national organization of professional engineers who serve as role models in the Hispanic community. The concept of Networking is the key basis for the organization. SHPE's mission is to change lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize their fullest potential and impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support, and development. SHPE's vision is a world where Hispanics are highly valued and influential as the leading innovators, scientists, mathematicians, and engineers.

    Society of Women Engineers (SWE)

    Clemson University's chapter of SWE is devoted to encouraging women to achieve their full potential in careers as engineers and leaders. This includes expanding the image of the engineering profession as a positive force in improving the quality of life and demonstrating the value of diversity in the profession.

Clemson Formula SAE is a student-run organization dedicated to enriching Clemson students' education. Membership is a great way to learn, network, and put your education to the test. New members do not need experience in racing, design, or fabrication, as veteran team members are always willing to share skills.

Each year the team designs and builds a new vehicle from the ground up, pushing the bounds of innovation. The vast majority of each vehicle is produced in-house. Afterwards, they travel to competitions around the world held by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

When Jonathan Vogel arrived at Clemson, he quickly found a home in Clemson Formula SAE. With a passion for vehicle dynamics, Vogel became the team’s Rookie of the Year in his first year.

Vogel profile

“There’s nothing quite like driving the cars we design and build. For safety reasons, we run on tight autocross courses, laid out by cones in a parking lot. The cars we make can corner and one and a half Gs. It’s a little bit frightening. It’s very, very fun, though, once you’re in the seat.”

Jonathan Vogel
Former chief engineer
Clemson Formula SAE