The Association for Information Systems (AIS), is the premier global organization for academic groups specializing in information systems. Founded in 1994, AIS is an international professional society of 4,000 members from 90 countries and a key player in the advancement of the IS academic community.

Each year, an annual report from every chapter around the world is submitted for review and judged based on the chapter’s efforts at: professional development, community service, membership activities, fundraising, “Careers in IS”, and chapter communications. The University of Alabama AIS chapter is proud to announce it is 2011 recipient of the AIS Student Chapter of the Year Award! A copy of the 2011 Annual Report for the UA chapter can be found here.

The UA-AIS chapter hosts numerous activities to support its 208 members. Chapter sponsored activities include:

  • Alabama Information Management Society (AIMS): a student run program where AIMS officers identify, contact, and schedule corporate executives and recruiters to present to our chapter. These presentations combine real-world experiences with soft skill development. AIMS sponsored a total of 26 events last year with a total of 3,225 attendees across all events

  • Affinity Groups:  Specialized programs to increase diversity and participation among underrepresented groups

    • Women in Information Technology (WIT): an affinity group aimed at motivating, inspiring, and supporting women in information technologyrelated fields. While this organization is focused on women, there are no limitations on who an join. WIT members participate in monthly meetings and activities focused on professional development, outreach, community service, team building, and social and business skills.

    • Capstone Minority Information Systems Society (CMISS): a new affinity group formed during the last academic year aimed at motivating, inspiring, and supporting minorities in information technology-related fields. While this organization is focused on minorities, there are no limitations on who can join and attend CMISS sponsored events. CMISS members participate in monthly meetings and activities focused on professional development, community service, team building, and social and business skills.

  • UAMIS Academic Mentoring: a student-run program that provides assistance and resources to students in programming courses. AIMS members who have completed these courses instruct and guide current students in the fundamentals of programming. Better programmers, leaders, problem-solvers, and communicators are created through the mentoring program each semester, making it an important aspect of the professional and educational careers of all students involved.

  • UAMIS Ambassador Program: a way for outstanding members to build their communication skills and give back to the program. The Ambassadors are responsible for assisting at all 36 AIMS events. At these events the Ambassadors ensure guests are welcome, are in the right location, and are informed about the program.

  • UAMIS Intramural Sports: our chapter’s intramural sports teams provide a chance for upper and lower classmen to interact as well as a chance to get outside with fellow student athletes to have fun and exercise. AIMS members participate in flag-football, softball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, bowling, and dodge ball.

Collectively all of these facets of our AIS Student Chapter help members build the technical and soft skills needed to become successful IT professionals!

AIS is a fantastic way for those interested in information systems to get involved within the MIS major--there is something for everybody! Dues are $10 a semester; and this semester, all dues are being used to help fund the Marcus Smith Memorial Scholarship.

Officers:

Cheryl Hall
President/Webmaster
cmhall@cba.ua.edu

Jamie Holstine
Vice President
jholstine@cba.ua.edu

Yichen Feng
Treasurer
yfeng2@crimson.ua.edu

Nicole Underwood
Secretary
njunderwood@crimson.ua.edu

Raychel Martin
Historian
remartin6@cba.ua.edu

Events:

  • 2012 AIS Student Chapter Competitions – Submissions due February 3rd 

    • In spirit of being selected as the best chapter, it's only right that some of our students should be involved in the competitions AIS is holding! If selected as a top 5 team in your selected category, you get to travel to Utah and compete head-to-head with the other finalists! I hope everyone will consider entering one or more of these competitions and representing our program in this very visible competition.