What began as a casual scroll turned into a campus community that’s now 100 members strong. The social media algorithm served one computer science major so well that he created one of the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC)’s fastest-growing student organizations, ColorStack at George Mason University.
Nathan Albe discovered ColorStack, a national organization dedicated to supporting Black and Latinx students pursuing careers in technology, through a TikTok post promoting its virtual summit in 2023. At the time, he was looking for a low-pressure way to network and learn about opportunities in tech, so he signed up.
“It was a great learning experience,” Albe said. “I wasn’t great at talking to people at the time, so there was definitely a big learning curve.” Inspired by the sense of community he found online, Albe launched a ColorStack chapter at George Mason University in spring 2024.
“I wanted to bring this virtual aspect to Mason and bring an in-person feeling,” he said. “It’s crazy how far we’ve come.” In less than two years, the chapter has grown to about 100 members. The group offers resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities through both its Slack-based platform and several in-person events each semester.
One recent networking event brought recruiters, engineers, and other industry professionals to campus, giving students a chance to practice networking and explore career paths. The chapter also hosts interview prep sessions and company panels, including a recent visit from Visa, one of its sponsors.
Last August, ten George Mason students, including Albe, traveled to San Francisco, California, to attend the 2025 ColorStack National Summit.
“It was a breath of fresh air,” he said of the experience. Meeting peers from across the country felt natural after months of virtual interaction. “You’ve messaged about everything, you’ve joked about things, you’ve struggled together… it never felt like you had to do a new intro.”
The summit also provided valuable access to recruiters from top tech companies. These conversations often go beyond immediate job opportunities, touching on long-term career goals. “You had the ability to talk to recruiters one-on-one, not having to worry about anybody behind you cutting your conversation short,” Albe explained.
Looking ahead, the George Mason chapter is planning a ColorStack Winter Hackathon in collaboration with other university chapters. The hackathon will feature tracks for beginners, entrepreneurs, and artificial intelligence projects, offering students a chance to build skills and showcase creativity.
ColorStack is open to anyone interested in tech, not just computer science majors, Albe noted.
“I have friends in cybersecurity and business information systems, and they’re still very much welcomed,” he said, emphasizing the supportive nature of the organization. For Albe, ColorStack is more than a club—it’s a community that empowers students to connect, learn, and thrive. “Everyone gives back," he said.