Student Initiative - Google Developer Group Minerva

The Google Developer Group (GDG) chapter at Minerva is part of a global network of student-led communities supported by Google, with over 2100 chapters across more than 100 countries. GDG chapters bring together students passionate about technology to develop their skills, build projects, and connect with like-minded peers, creating an environment that fosters growth, learning, and collaboration.

Ifeoluwakolopin Are, Class of 2025, founded the Minerva chapter in 2022. Inspired by his experience as a member of a GDG chapter, Ifeoluwakolopin identified a gap in the Minerva community—a need for a space where students could comfortably upskill technically, regardless of their starting point. “GDG creates an environment that allows students to build skills, share knowledge, and collaborate on meaningful projects,” Ifeoluwakolopin explains. “I wanted to bring that same environment to Minerva, where students from all backgrounds and technical levels could come together to learn and grow.”

Since its founding year, GDG Minerva has continued to grow and adapt under new leadership, with Joshua Mark, Class of 2025, leading the chapter in the 2023-2024 academic year. Each new leader brings fresh ideas and perspectives, ensuring that the chapter remains focused on meeting the technical needs of its members. With initiatives such as introductory coding workshops, hands-on virtual labs, and project showcases, GDG Minerva consistently tailors its events to the interests and skill levels of the student body.

In the 2024-2025 academic year, Tam Nguyen, Class of 2027, has taken over as the new lead, continuing the tradition of bringing in new leadership each year. “Our focus is to offer new workshops that align with students’ interests and collaborate with external speakers to provide unique learning experiences,” Tam shares. “We aim to create more opportunities for students to explore new technologies and gain practical skills.”

GDG's success is built on three main pillars:

Connect: GDG Minerva connects students interested in technology across different majors and technical levels. Through partnerships with other Student Initiatives (SIs) and external organizations, the chapter has expanded its network and provided members with opportunities to work on projects of interest.

Learn: With a focus on hands-on learning, GDG offers workshops and study groups that empower students to take on Google-supported certifications and tackle complex technical topics. Workshops are usually designed with different experience levels, ensuring everyone can get involved at any skill level.

Grow: GDG encourages its members to apply what they learn to real-world problems by building practical solutions and participating in initiatives like Google’s annual Solution Challenge. This global competition allows members to tackle meaningful projects that address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), allowing them to showcase their skills and contribute to impactful solutions.

As the chapter expands its reach, Tam and the core team are looking to deepen the chapter’s impact by collaborating with other GDG chapters in their rotation cities, organizing hackathons, and hosting lots of exciting events.

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