The Office of Student Activities has a variety of clubs and organizations that you can join. These include the Student Government Association, which is the “voice” of the students on campus and whose members act as representatives of the student body at committee meetings and other activities on- and off-campus.

Club Community Service Requirements Club Community Service Form

If you are interested in joining any organization, please contact one of the club advisors for more information or pick up a "Student Club & Interest Group Directory" in the Student Activities Office. If you do not find a club or organization that suits your interests, please contact the Office of Student Activities and make an appointment with the Student Activities Counselor and Advisor for Student Club/Organizations & Leadership.

	African Student Association Wistar Withers Dr. Alusine Kanu		Muslim Student Association Khadiga Gamgoum
	American Society of Travel Agents-Future Travel Professionals Talula Guntner		Phi Theta Kappa Dr. JoAnn Credle Dr. Richard Wilan
	Arab Student Association Khadiga Gamgoum		Psi Beta Psychology Honors Society Donald Devers Dr. Darlene Van Every
	Black Student Alliance (Interest Group) Adrienne Hinds		Recreation and Parks Society Nancy Chamberlain
	College Democrats (Interest Group) Kirk Goolsby		Rotoract Club (Interest Group) Dr. Manthrigae Jayatilake
	Korean Bible Study (Interest Group) Charlotte Calobrisi Karen Van Horn		Society for Physics Students Dr. Walerian Majewski
	Hispanic Student Union Richard Bautista Judith Benevides Ada Garcia Casellas		Student Government Association Mark Mannheimer
	Honors Community Annandale Dr. Richard Wilan		Vietnamese Student Association Khanh Vu
	Intercultural Friendship Club Cecilia Wiltshire		Virginia 21 Kirk Goolsby
	Musica NOVA Dr. Robert Webb		Visual and Performing Arts Association Theresa Knight McFadden

Philosophy of Student Involvement in Clubs & Organizations

Student organizations at NOVA serve as a valuable educational function, offering students the opportunity to join together in governmental, cultural, political and/or special interest issues settings and to assume various leadership roles in carrying out the mission of the group. This opportunity affords students a special experiential component to their lives on campus. In addition, organizations contribute a range of perspectives to the overall College community, thus enriching the academic environment and campus life for all students.

The Office of Student Activities has established a recognition process for student organizations. This process serves many purposes. First it offers structure by providing parameters in which organizations can function. It spells out responsibilities for groups, which the college expects them to fulfill. Secondly, it establishes a communication pattern between clubs and organizations and the Office of Student Activities to provide support and stability to newly formed groups and their advisors. And finally, it clearly defines consequences for groups, which choose not to exist in accordance with these guidelines.

In establishment of a recognition process, the Office of Student Activities fulfills its charge to create an appropriate environment for support and maturation of student groups. The recognition process adds such an environment while maintaining flexibility. This goal has been a primary guiding principle in the creation of this recognition process.

To pick up a copy of the Student Club Starter Kit, simply make an appointment to meet with the Student Activities Counselor responsible for Student Club/Organization Leadership. We look forward to discussing your interest in further detail!

Picking the Right Student Club or Organization for You

Student organizations are an excellent way to meet new people and learn more about the campus. In addition, student organizations are a place where you can try out new interests and gain new skills. They also enhance the education you receive in the classroom and can provide you with valuable leadership experience.

The Annandale Campus of Northern Virginia Community College has several student organizations that include recreation, academic, social, religious, cultural and general interest groups. All have a common goal of furthering your education. It may be very difficult for you to decide which organization to join. As you make your choice, you should think carefully about what you hope to gain from the experience and how much time you have to devote to the organization and its activities.

As you adjust your class and work schedule to become more familiar with the NOVA Campus Community, consider the following before joining an organization:

• Talk to other students, advisors, professors and counselors to help you explore your interests and identify activities in which you can become involved.

• Look around at what is available. Don’t delay becoming involved in student activities. The personal benefits exceed the time demands of involvement. Participate in several activities before making any major commitments.

• Explore with a friend. Having someone with you will make a new situation more comfortable and fun. Whether you attend an activity alone or with a friend, introduce yourself to the person who is leading the activity and to people around you.

• Be an explorer. If you don’t go looking for what you want, you’re not likely to find it .

Getting Involved in Student Activities

Most programming coordinated by the Office of Student Activities and student organizations is funded through student fees. This money comes from you, the student, so if you ever wonder where those mysterious student fees go, the answer is they go right back to you for your benefit and enjoyment.

Why Get Involved?

It is extremely important to take advantage of the opportunity to become involved. It plays a very important part in broadening your college experience. When you are involved, you not only know what is happening, but also why and how it happened. The experience that you acquire by being an active student on campus will be invaluable to you later in life, both personally and professionally.

What’s In It For Me As A Student?

Many College students are uncertain at some point in their college years about what occupation to pursue after graduation. One of the ways students can help themselves to find out what they really want as a career is to get involved in the various programs and organizations offered by the Office of Student Activities.

Remember, it’s up to you to make the first move to get involved. Trying out different things, then you have a better chance of finding out what you like and don’t like and you have a better idea of what you might choose as a career. Getting involved gives you the practical experience to put on your resume, not to mention the demonstrated leadership ability.

What Is the Difference Between a Club or Organization and an Interest Group?

There is a distinct difference between clubs and interest groups. The College officially recognizes clubs; Interest Groups are groups formed on a temporary basis and are not officially recognized by the college. Further clarification can be found below for the differences between clubs versus interest groups:

Clubs/Organizations

• Clubs can generate funds through fundraisers and donations.
• Clubs can have a club account through the Office of Student Activities.
• Clubs can use the college name to show its affiliation with the College.
• Clubs can request funding from the Office of Student Activities and the college for programs and club activities.
• Clubs can reserve College facilities and utilize College resources for a variety of programming opportunities.
• Clubs are featured in various publications of the college (Student Handbook, Website, Newspaper, etc.).

Interest Groups

• Interest Groups cannot generate funds through fundraisers and donations.
• Interest Groups cannot have a club account through the Office of Student Activities.
• Interest Groups cannot use the college name to show its affiliation with the College.
• Interest Groups cannot request funding from the Office of Student Activities and the college for programs and clubs activities.
• Interest Groups can reserve College facilities for meetings only! Interest Groups are not featured in publications of the College.

For Faculty, Administrators and Staff: Becoming a Club Advisor

If you are faculty, an administrator or staff on campus and would like to get more involved with clubs, organizations or interest groups on campus, please consider becoming an advisor! Throughout the year, students decide they would like to begin new clubs and organizations on campus, but they are not familiar with faculty interested in advising student organizations. If you are interested in becoming a student advisor please contact the Office of Student Activities.

The Office of Student Activities believes that student involvement in planning campus programs significantly enhances the value of these programs. We hope that this information is helpful to you. For further assistance or clarification on content, we encourage you to contact us at (703) 323-3147 or stop by our office in Room 226, on the upper level of the CF Building.

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