History

The Technology Student Association (TSA), formerly the American Industrial Arts Student Association (AIASA), is the oldest student membership organization dedicated exclusively to students enrolled in technology and engineering education classes in middle and high schools. Its rich history spans more than four decades.

From 1958 to 1978, AIASA was a sponsored activity of the American Industrial Arts Association (AIAA). In 1978, the nonprofit corporation, AIASA, Inc., was formed to oversee AIASA as a separate organization. From 1978 to 1988, the organization grew in size, strength, structure, and impact on students and secondary school programs. In the summer of 1988, AIASA became the Technology Student Association.

 

Milestones

1978 First Board of Directors of AIASA, Inc. is elected.
1978 U.S. Office of Education recognizes AIASA as the official vocational student organization for industrial arts students.
1978 AIASA, Inc. is created, beginning financial independence from AIAA.
1978 Ronald W. Applegate is hired as first executive director under AIASA, Inc.
1979 AIASA holds its first national conference separate from AIAA.
1981

National Standards for Industrial Arts Programs includes 11 specific Standards related to student organizations.
Jenny Robichaux becomes AIASA’s first female president.

1983AIASA’s first national service project is established. Members across the country raise money to help with restoration of the Statue of Liberty.
1985 Revised Competitive Events Handbook with 5-Year Planning Matrix is published.
1986National President Emily Wise appears on the nationally televised Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon to present a check for funds raised by members across the country as part of AIASA’s second national service project.
1988 On June 22nd, students vote to change name of AIASA to Technology Student Association. A name change trademark application is placed on file with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The first national TSA president is Curtis Sheets of Virginia.
1988 The national office relocates from 1908 Association Drive to 1914 Association Drive in Reston, VA.
1989 The official TSA logo is designed by TSA chapter advisor Steve Price of Georgia. The membership adopts the logo for use at the national, state, and local level.
1990 The TSA logo receives a registered trademark by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
1991 A membership recruitment program, "Shoot for the Stars," is created. In the mid 1990s, it evolves into the Star Recognition Program (White, Red, and Blue Star Chapters).
1992 The TSA elementary program, TechnoKids, is created. Later, it is renamed The Great Technology Adventure.
1992 Tonya Vandergriff becomes TSA's first female president.
1993 The TSA Technology Honor Society is established.
1994 For the first time, national TSA has more than 100,000 members. The first National TSA Day is held on April 24th.
1995 In a partnership between TSA and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the American Technology Honor Society is formed.
1996 TSA's competitive events program is divided between the middle school and high school levels; each, with its own competition guidelines.
1997 The National TSA Conference in Washington, D.C. becomes the first National TSA Conference with more than 3,500 participants.
1998 TSA's annual leadership conference is held in two locations: Denver, CO, and Baltimore, MD.
1999 Under the direction of national TSA President James Coleman, Jr., the TSA Constitution and Bylaws are revised and combined. TSA membership approves a new comprehensive governing document and raises the national membership dues to $7.
2000 The American Technology Honor Society becomes the National Technology Achievement Award.
2001 TSA officially becomes the Technology Student Association and receives trademark status from the USPTO.
2002 TSA launches its newly redesigned website, TSAweb.org.
2003 TSA celebrates its 25th anniversary. The 25th Anniversary Fund is created to provide membership scholarships to underserved communities. National TSA Day is extended to National TSA Week.
2004 TSA conducts a first ever Relay Rally for the American Cancer Society at a National TSA Conference.
2005 TSA launches the DuPont Leadership Academy at its national conference. The TSA website is redesigned with two online stores, one for TSA apparel and one for TSA publications and products. TSA's quarterly newsletter begins appearing on the website.
2006 TSA is awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation to host a two-day STEM symposium for stakeholders and robotics education experts to develop a robotics assessment rubric that can be incorporated into competitive event activities and instruction in the classroom.
2007 TSA offers its members online affiliation as well as online national conference registration.
2008 TSA expands the DuPont Leadership Academy at the 30th annual National TSA Conference in Orlando, FL to include sessions for graduating seniors; chapter and state officers; and advisors.
2009  Developed through a partnership among national TSA, Project Lead the Way (PLTW), and SkillsUSAthe Engineering Alliance offers classroom level competitions and leadership development activities designed specifically for PLTW-affiliated middle and high school pre-engineering instructional programs.
2010  The TSA VEX Robotics Competition partnership provides students with a hands-on, co-curricular competition for STEM and complements the existing technology-related competitions offered by TSA. TSA VEX Robotics tournaments are conducted in conjunction with TSA’s state conferences, followed by a championship event at the National TSA Conference.
2011  TSA acquires the Test of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science (TEAMS) and Unite programs from the Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS).
2012  TSA partners with the Verizon Foundation to offer the Verizon Innovative Learning app challenge.
2013  TSA celebrates its 35th anniversary.
2013  TSA hosts the Best in Nation TEAMS competition at the National TSA Conference.
2014  National TSA has more than 200,000 members for the school year and the National TSA Conference attendance climbs to nearly 7,000.
2014  TSA holds the first national Junior Solar Sprint (JSS) competition.
2014  All national TSA competitors are required to wear the official royal blue TSA shirt.
2015  National TSA President Steven Stokes represents TSA at the White House in Washington, D.C.
2016  TSA's leadership program, LEAP, is announced.
2017The national office relocates from 1914 Association Drive to 1904 Association Drive in Reston, VA.
2018  TSA celebrates its 40th anniversary.
2019TSA introduces a Computer Science initiative.
2020The 2020 National TSA Conference, scheduled for Nashville, TN, was not held due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
2021The 2021 National TSA Conference, scheduled for Orlando, FL, was held virtually due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
2022TSA's Competition Regulations Committee restructuring takes place.

 


AIASA Presidents

YearPresidentHome State
1978–79Jeff ShortOklahoma 
1979–80  Rick Saucier Louisiana
1980–81Chris HoffmanNew Jersey
1981–82Jenny RobichauxLouisiana
1982–83      Dan La FountainConnecticut
1983–84    Mark PowersVirginia
1984–85   Robert StokesOklahoma
1985–86 George MunnVirginia
1986–87   Emily WiseVirginia
1987–88     Adam ZakarianPennsylvania

 

 

National TSA Presidents, TSA, Inc. Presidents, and Conference Locations

 

YearTSA President and TSA, Inc. PresidentsNational TSA Conference Location
1988Adam Zakarian and Mr. Harold Richards  Downingtown, PA
1989Curtis Sheets and Mr. Harold RichardsWinston-Salem, NC
1990Chris Beuershausen and Mr. Jim Carey  Corpus Christi, TX
1991Quang Le and Dr. Lynn BashamTulsa, OK
1992Guy Cecil and Mr. Steve BarbatoRichmond, VA
1993Tonya Vandergriff and Mr. Donovan BowersNashville, TN
1994Kevin Thigpen and Mr. Steve BarbatoOrlando, FL
1995Devere Day and Dr. Tom D’ApolitoChicago, IL
1996Brooke Davis and Mr. Henry Lacy Louisville, KY
1997Matt Zimmerman and Mr. Ron EngstromWashington, DC
1998Bart Slabbekorn and Dr. Elazer BarnettPittsburgh, PA
1999James Coleman, Jr. and Mr. Mike RibelinTulsa, OK
2000Katrina Miller and Mr. Doug WagnerAtlanta, GA
2001Misty Lamb and Mr. Rick SchmidtRichmond, VA
2002Casey Wiggins Loper and Mr. Richard GrimsleyDenver, CO
2003Michael Ward and Mr. Donovan BowersOrlando, FL
2004Amy Groner and Mrs. Alta Mc Daniel Nashville, TN
2005Bradley Jennings and Mr. Mike AmrheinChicago, IL
2006Katy Galambos and Mr. Steve PriceDallas, TX
2007Trent Kissee and Ms. Sharon RookardNashville, TN
2008KC Cushman and Mrs. Kathleen SquibbOrlando, FL
2009Eric Dixon and Mr. Bud WorleyDenver, CO
2010Peter Andews and Mr. Bill BertrandBaltimore, MD
2011Zachary Barnes and Mr. Bob BehnkeDallas, TX
2012Pratyusa Gupta and Mr. Matthew StrindenNashville, TN
2013Dhruv Pillai and Mr. Kevin TerronezOrlando, FL
2014Sanjay Koduvalli and Mr. Matthew StrindenWashington DC
2015Steven Stokes and Mr. Bob BehnkeDallas, TX
2016Kelsey Stoner and Mr. Rick SchmidtNashville, TN
2017Jack Crawford and Mr. Bud WorleyOrlando, FL
2018Aala Nasir and Mrs. Mimi LeonardAtlanta, GA
2019Alexander King and Mr. B.J. ScottWashington, DC
2020Audrey Garoutte and Mr. Bud Worleyno conference held
2021Sean Kuehn and Mrs. Mimi LeonardVirtual Conference
2022Gowri Rangu and Mr. B.J. ScottDallas, TX
2023Esha Bolar and Mrs. Shanta VillanuevaLouisville, KY