Why I Give: Giving Back to Our Community

For Renu Chipalkatti ’87MS, supporting the Manning College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS) is more than a philanthropic choice; it’s a way of honoring the community that helped shape her career and continues to inspire her today. The co-founder and chief strategic officer of iline.AI, an electric vehicle logistics platform, Chipalkatti reflects on what motivates her annual giving, the importance of consistency, and the lasting impact of her graduate experiences at UMass Amherst.

What motivates you to give to CICS each year?

When I think about why I give to CICS, the answer is simple: I owe a great deal of my own journey to the education, mentorship, and opportunities I received at CICS and UMass. They gave me the foundation I continue to stand on today.

Why is consistent support important to you?

For me, consistency matters most—it is not only a way to say thank you, again and again, but it’s my way of showing that I believe in the school’s mission, am committed to its success, and want to play my small part in making CICS stronger. Every time I contribute to CICS, I feel connected—not just as an alumnus, but as part of a living, evolving community holding great promise for the future. 

Is there a particular memory or experience at CICS that shaped your decision to give?

I can’t point to one single memory, but what really stayed with me was the spirit of collaboration with faculty and students working side by side in classrooms and research groups. That sense of shared curiosity and yearning for learning shaped me, and it’s something I’ve carried with me ever since.

This story originally appeared in the Winter 2025–2026 issue of Significant Bits magazine.