A Place of Your Own: Clubs at JWU

With more than 100 clubs and organizations currently running on JWU’s Providence Campus, there is something for every interest. And if by chance there isn’t, you can start a club to represent it yourself.

That’s what Emma Goldberg ’20 did — and now her club, Women: Speak and Be Heard, is actively recruiting women on campus to take part in its aims for professional and personal growth. “The more diverse our group is, the better,” Goldberg says. The club plans to bring in speakers to facilitate productive discussions based around topics of club members’ choosing. The topics can be anything from on-campus issues to networking skills.

JWU’s clubs and organizations were well-represented at the annual Involvement Fest as part of Wildcat Welcome Week. In addition to showing off what each club has to offer, students were treated to Del’s Lemonade and cotton candy.

“Student Involvement Fest was a great opportunity for students to come out to learn about all the ways to get involved on campus,” says Elizabeth Zmarlicki, assistant director of Student Involvement & Leadership for Clubs & Organizations. “All groups were happy to represent and find new leaders.”

Student Activists Supporting Sustainability is a rapidly-growing club, fueled by JWU students’ desire to create a cleaner, healthier world. Plans for the club this year include creating their own compostable tea bags, hosting guest speakers, and taking trips to learn about sustainable practices. The club also has garden beds in Harborside and works closely with the College of Culinary Arts on sustainable practices.

Interested in building cool machines and competing (and winning) at the National level? JWU VEX Robotics might be for you. Their goal this year is to get back to worlds, as well as to increase awareness about Robotics to those who may not know much about it. “No experience is necessary,” says Leif Ekstrom, club president.

Cultural clubs abound at JWU, from the Indian Student Association to the Southeast Asian Club and the Black Student Alliance (BSA). BSA is an inclusive club, with the aim of unifying the African-American community at JWU while promoting positive interaction with other cultures represented within the university.

Greek Life is as large as ever, with nearly 20 fraternities, sororities, and social fellowships to choose from. Students can also join the Student Government Association or other governance organizations, along with national student organizations like SkillsUSA and DECA. Don’t forget about Pep Band, the JWU Vocal Ensemble, or the JWU Players for the musically inclined, and a plethora of academic clubs to enhance your studies outside the classroom.

Check out the list of student clubs and organizations and get involved today! If you’re interested in forming a new group, contact Elizabeth Zmarlicki, assistant director of Student Involvement & Leadership for Clubs & Organizations, at 401-598-2086. You can also stop by her office on the 2nd floor of the Citizens Bank Center for Student Involvement (CBCSI).