How to get involved on campus
Earning a degree may be the primary focus of college, but there are other ways to add value to the educational experience in addition to attending classes. Getting involved in campus activities, events and leadership roles are a fulfilling way to supplement studies.
“There are a lot of good reasons for students to get involved on campus,” said Andrew Reitberger, former director of student life. “It is a great way to develop those marketable skills that employers want; it’s also a great way to network and have fun.”
At UHCL there are many opportunities to find new interests, build relationships and join organizations.
Orientation and New Student Programs
After admission to UHCL, the next step for a new student is orientation. There are sessions for first-year, transfer and international students, as well as programs led by orientation leaders, such as Hawk Launch, that are a way to become familiar with the campus and have some fun.
“Once [a student has] been here a semester or so we do open up that orientation leader application and that would be a good leadership role,” said Angie Montelongo, director of orientation and new student programs.
Student Involvement and Leadership
The Office of Student Involvement and Leadership houses a variety of programs that provide students with four key elements to complement their academics. Providing services, programming, leadership experiences, and school spirit activities give students opportunities for personal, social, and intellectual growth. Popular events include the annual Chili Cook-Off and I Heart UHCL Day.
“Every student should try and get involved in something outside of the classroom,” Reitberger said. “It’s an important part of the college experience.”
The Student Government Association (SGA) is dedicated to serving the university by giving students a voice to share opinions and concerns. It is comprised of representatives from recognized student organizations, an executive council and the student senate.
“I wanted to get involved on campus because I wanted to do something that would allow me to make an impact on the campus and the people around me,” said Justin Murphy, former 2017-2018 SGA president. “Being involved has helped me make myself more marketable to employers, while also helping the UHCL community as well.”
Students interested in SGA are encouraged to attend one of their meetings, held in the SSCB Lecture Hall Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. Meetings are open to the public.
Leadership skills are important to both life and career development. Hawk Leadership Institute helps students develop ways to lead and make a positive difference in their communities. There are many activities to choose from and programs are open to all UHCL students and staff.
For a variety of educational, entertainment, recreational and traditional programs, the Campus Activities Board (CAB) is a popular organization amongst students. They are student-led and plan about 30 activities per year to enhance students’ experience on campus. Activities are typically free and range from field trips, panel discussions, movie screenings and ice cream socials to yoga and sports such as Ultimate Frisbee and table tennis.
Former CAB President Diveanne Martinez thinks getting involved is a way to relieve stress and create a home on campus, as well as find valuable networking.
“Some of the more academic-centered organizations are helpful to connect with other students who may be in the same classes,” Martinez said. “That is great for forming study groups and things like that.”
In addition to CAB, UHCL has more than 100 different student organizations. Students can discover what they are interested in at the Student Organizations Expo, held at the beginning of fall and spring semesters, and connect with fellow students. If students cannot find what they are looking for, they are encouraged to start their own organization to fit their interest.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
The Office of Student Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (SDEI) supports the diverse and inclusive UHCL community through cultural diversity programs, activities, education and training. They are committed to enriching and enhancing students’ educational experience and provide valuable resources to support every member and group in the student body. SDEI sponsors Cultural Extravaganza each spring, which showcases cultures from all around the world represented at UHCL.
“This office has a good mix of educational and fun,” said Alexia Flores, former student ambassador. “I have become more well-rounded, which is important because college is about more than just getting a degree.”
Flores started volunteering and later got a job with SDEI, and she said it has been a rewarding experience. Becoming a peer mentor with SDEI is another valuable opportunity to look into.
Campus Recreation and Wellness
Fitness contributes to health and happiness. UHCL has this covered with a fitness center, a variety of recreational programs and intramural sports such as table tennis, basketball, volleyball, soccer, football and other tournaments. The new Recreation and Wellness Center will be ready fall 2018 and it will be a benefit to recreational sports on campus. Interested students can download the IMleagues app and check out the available sports and upcoming events.
“Decades of research consistently show that students involved on campus are more satisfied with their college experience,” said David Rachita, dean of students. “This satisfaction leads to persistence, which leads to graduation.”
UHCL has many opportunities on campus for students to take advantage of outside the classroom.
