Arizona State University is defined by who it includes, and how they succeed. In doing so, ASU has cultivated a massive community of diverse and passionate people looking to create inclusive spaces where all students can thrive. Spaces that have developed into organized communities of engaged student leaders looking to contribute to ASU’s commitment to inclusive excellence.
More than 1,000 student clubs and organizations provide an opportunity for every student to become involved and connect with their peers through community building, global leadership, cultural celebrations, civic discourse and community change.
Here are a few of those organizations for students looking to get involved:
ASU’s eight Coalitions:
ASU is home to eight student coalitions dedicated to creating programs, events and activities that help foster a welcoming, inclusive and supportive community that respects and honors all cultures and identities.
The coalitions provide programming activities and opportunities that empower students and their allies of all identities and backgrounds to thrive in an inclusive and affirming community of learners.
ASU’s Council of Coalitions includes: the Accessibility Coalition, the Alliance of Indigenous Peoples, the Asian/Asian Pacific American Students’ Coalition, the Black African Coalition, the Coalition of International Students, El Concilio, the Rainbow Coalition and the Women’s Coalition.
Each coalition is an umbrella organization working with a multitude of member organizations to create a wide variety of experiences and engagement opportunities. For example, clubs and organizations affiliated with the Women’s Coalition include: Women in Stem, the Society of Women Engineers, the Arizona Women’s Collaborative, Ignite at ASU, to name a few.
These coalitions are amazing resources for support, as well as finding community. With the extremely lengthy list of member organizations, each with their own event and activity schedule, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. All of which you can find on Sun Devil Sync, where these organizations and coalitions post their schedules for members and interested parties alike.
ASU Changemaker Central:
For those looking toward the bigger picture, ASU Changemaker Central is an amazing organization to check out. Changemaker Central empowers students to apply themselves in creating innovative solutions to local, national and global challenges. With a focus on student lead events, Changemaker is a great opportunity for students to be both creative in their work and active in their community.
Changemaker has a branch at all four Arizona State campuses, each with their own event schedules. Signature events range from the Change The World showcase where students present revolutionary ideas and projects for making large-scale impact, to massive volunteer events that span a whole week with Devils in Disguise.
Changemaker Central also has amazing grant and funding opportunities for students. With the Changemaker Community Action Grants, students can win up to $2,500 in funding for social impact projects, startups and initiatives. Students can also win up to $1,500 in scholarships at the aforementioned Change The World showcase.
With opportunities to get involved, as well as organize the involvement, Changemaker Central provides students with a platform for taking ideas of social impact and making them a reality.
ASU Programming and Activities Board:
If you were ever a part of the spirit team at your highschool, or if you generally enjoy party planning, then you might be interested in joining the Programming and Activities Board (PAB). PAB is one of the largest groups on campus, dedicated to “providing ASU students with the best experience possible through innovative programming and involvement opportunities.”
PAB is responsible for some of the biggest, most exciting ASU events of the year: Devilpalooza, Homecoming, Inferno Fest, etc. Alongside these essential ASU experiences, PAB hosts a huge list of events every month that help bring students together. Everything, from their weekly music series where student performers can showcase their musical talents, to their bi-monthly MU After Dark where students can enjoy a uniquely themed activity, is a tailored event meant to create community.
Whether you're looking at the event schedule, or looking to get involved, make sure to see what the Programming and Activities Board is getting up to!
Associated Students of ASU / Student Government
If you are more interested in the administrative side of planning, why not get involved with ASU’s student government body: Associated Students of ASU (ASASU). The group works to provide student-run services, advocate for student initiatives, voice student concerns as well as facilitate funding from the student activity fee to clubs and organizations across ASU.
ASASU is made up of the five student governments of Arizona State University: the Undergraduate Student Governments at the Downtown Phoenix, Polytechnic, Tempe and West Valley campuses, and the Graduate and Professional Student Association . Each branch has an elected President, who together make up the ASASU Council of Presidents (COP).
Between ASASU and COP, there is a high priority on making sure both in-person and online students' voices are being heard and their concerns are being addressed. This is done in part through COP’s “list of priorities that enumerates a comprehensive, but not exhaustive, list of advocacy items,” as well as through ASASU’s Boards and Committees .
There are a plethora of boards and committees to join, from the Civic Engagement Coalition, to the Public Safety Advisory Board, to the Committee on Campus Inclusion. These positions are appointed directly by the COP. To get involved with student government, please contact your college representative .
ASU Student Life
Student Life is your source for all of the exciting and engaging things going on with the ASU student body. Student Life is a news source for students, by students. It is dedicated to making sure that students are caught up and informed about events, campus wide projects, Sun Devil success and so much more.
Besides Sun Devil Sync, Student Life is one of the best ways to figure out what is going on at ASU. Where Sun Devil Sync will show you upcoming events and how to register, Student Life helps honor the extraordinary people, initiatives and experiences present at ASU by highlighting their achievements and the impact they have on campus. This is a fantastic way to see what interesting opportunities other students are making for themselves and how you can get involved as well.
Beyond getting involved by reading the stories, you can be part of the team that helps create them. Student Life consists of a team of producers, writers, photographers and cinematographers who get to build real journalistic experience, while attending ASU events. This team not only gets to attend any ASU event they are interested in reporting on, but also get the creative opportunity to lead projects with their vision in mind.
Starting your own
Maybe you are interested in a lot of these options, but they are all missing that specific aspect or categorization that would have secured your involvement. Maybe you have your own idea for how you can make a difference.
ASU encourages students who have that next big idea to start their own organization . While there are a lot of organizations already on campus for anyone to join, there is always room for more. Students looking to start an organization must gather at least three students enrolled in at least one semester credit hour to act as club officers, a faculty that meets advisor requirements and the club must officially register.
Once you have your team assembled, registration for a student organization is submitted through Sun Devil Sync. For more information on how to start your own organization you can visit here!
