The HPC community thrives on collaboration, curiosity, and fostering a forward-thinking talent pool. Student cluster competitions give the next generation of HPC professionals hands‑on supercomputing experience, real‑world problem‑solving skills, and direct exposure to the global HPC community. They blend technical skills, teamwork, and professional development in a way that few academic experiences can match. This Birds of a Feather session brings together students, faculty, and HPC professionals interested in establishing an RMACC Student Cluster Competition team. We’ll discuss what it takes to build a competitive team from the ground up, including technical skill development, mentorship opportunities, hardware and resource needs, securing vendor sponsorship, and strategies for preparing students for national HPC competitions. Participants will help shape the team’s structure, recruitment approach, and training roadmap. Whether you’re a student eager to get hands‑on experience or a professional excited to support emerging talent, this session can be the starting point for a vibrant, sustainable RMACC Student Cluster Competition team.
