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Student Life’s vision is to engage all NOVA students beyond the classroom by providing experiences and services that develop the whole student.
How we achieve this goal:
- provide advising, training and mentoring to student leaders and advisors
- inspire students to become active members of the campus and community
- create programs and events that foster interactions among the diverse members of the NOVA community
- maintain spaces and resources for students focused on initiatives that enrich College culture
- engage student leaders to discover new knowledge that enables them to critically evaluate evidence, make informed judgments, balance multiple perspectives and act ethically
- expand opportunities for experimental learning, civic engagement, cultural enrichment, leadership development, recreation and service learning
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. 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 Life established a recognition process for student organizations that offers structure by providing parameters in which organizations can function; spells out responsibilities for groups, which the College expects them to fulfill; establishes a communication pattern between clubs and organizations and the Office of Student Life to provide support and stability to newly formed groups and their advisors and 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 Life 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 Life Counselor responsible for Student Club/Organization Leadership. We look forward to discussing your interest in further detail!
Online learning, no problem! Student Life is here for you and ready to #EngageAll! Connect with Student Life through the Virtual Student Union (VSU) within Canvas. Throughout the semester, we will be hosting student-led discussion boards, leadership workshops, social events, community service opportunities, and more! You can access the VSU through your Canvas home page.
Most programming coordinated by the Office of Student Life 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 students are uncertain at some point in their college years about what occupation to pursue after graduation. One way students can figure out what they really want as a career is to get involved in the various programs and organizations offered by the Office of Student Life.
Try out different things and you will have a better chance of finding out what you like and don't like. Also, getting involved gives you practical experience to put on your resume, not to mention the demonstrated leadership ability.