While ColorStack exists as a vibrant online community, it was initially conceived as a central organization with in-person college chapters. As COVID-19 lockdown restrictions have eased and many students have returned to some sense of normalcy, in-person ColorStack chapters have had a chance to flourish once again. 

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At Northeastern University, the community is indeed flourishing. Levin Sanchez, a second year computer science and finance major from the Dominican Republic, founded the ColorStack chapter at Northeastern University after becoming deeply involved with the online community. “I… had the opportunity to meet some members in person. That made me realize the impact that we could have if we brought ColorStack to my University for an in-person chapter,” he says. 

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Levin describes the founding of the chapter as overwhelmingly positive. “Everyone has been super supportive about the organization” he says. “People constantly ask me to help and get involved with us. It is also amazing to see the good dynamic that we have created with our members in our first events this semester.”

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Within the last year the Northeastern chapter has already laid a solid foundation for the years to come. Planning for the fall semester is already underway with a full schedule of events centered around three central pillars: academic support, professional development, and community building. Academic and professional development events include a LinkedIn and resume workshop, a mini hackathon to help get members’ independent projects off the ground, and a team oriented Tech Olympics event in which members are able to practice a variety of different skills (i.e. leetcode and  UX/UI design. The chapter will also host networking events with sponsoring organizations and other schools and an interview prep event. 

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In addition to providing academic and professional development support, the chapter also aims to build lasting friendships with a number of social events and hangouts over the course of the fall. These will include a welcome event at the start of the semester, a game night, a potluck party, a chapter ice skating event, and more. 

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With a full slate of events for the fall, Levin is excited for how the chapter will continue to grow. “The new students coming… will encounter an organization that will provide valuable resources to excel in Computer Science, as well as a welcoming tight knit community.” He encourages folks who are interested in joining not to hesitate.

Give ColorStack's Northeastern University chapter's Instagram a follow to stay updated on chapter events and news and be on the lookout for more ColorStack chapters around the nation.

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