Why Join a Club at STLCC?

July 21, 2025

Posted by STLCC in Campus Life 

Starting college can mean adjusting to new classes, instructors, schedules and responsibilities. If you commute to campus or balance school with work and family, it may also take time to feel connected.

Joining an STLCC club or student organization gives you a reason to meet people outside class and become part of campus life. You can explore an interest, volunteer, plan events, build career skills or spend time with students who enjoy the same things you do.

You don’t need to arrive with leadership experience or know anyone in the group. Attending one meeting can be enough to begin.

You can get involved by:

• Joining a student club connected to your interests or program.
• Helping plan events through the Campus Activities Board.
• Representing students through the Student Government Association.
• Exploring Phi Theta Kappa and other academic organizations.
• Starting a new club when you don’t find the right fit.

Meet People Outside Your Classes

It can be difficult to make friends when students arrive for class and leave immediately afterward. A club creates regular opportunities to talk with people who share an interest, goal or experience.

That shared interest can make starting a conversation feel easier. You already have something to talk about, even if you’re shy or attending alone.

You don’t have to become close friends with everyone you meet. Even having a few familiar people to greet between classes can make campus feel more welcoming.

Choose the Kind of Involvement That Fits You

Getting involved doesn’t look the same for every student. You can choose an opportunity based on your interests, available time and comfort level.

The clubs available vary by campus and semester. Visit the STLCC campus life page for current club listings, advisors and contact information.

Find Clubs That Match Your Interests

STLCC student organizations can focus on academics, culture, identity, service, leadership, creative interests, hobbies and recreation. The active club list may change from one semester to the next as students graduate, new groups form and inactive clubs return.

When reviewing your options, think beyond your major. You might join a club because it connects to your career plans, but you can also choose something that gives you a break from coursework or helps you meet people with similar interests.

Build Skills You Can Use at Work

Club involvement can give you experience that is difficult to gain from coursework alone. Depending on your role, you may help manage a budget, organize a project, design promotional materials, speak to a group or coordinate with campus departments.

These experiences can help you practice:

• Communication.
• Teamwork.
• Leadership.
• Event planning.
• Time management.
• Problem-solving.
• Public speaking.
• Budgeting.

You can include relevant club experience on a resume, scholarship application or transfer application. During an interview, you can also use club projects as examples of how you worked with others or handled responsibility.

Turn Club Experience Into Resume Experience

Club membership can belong on your resume when it shows relevant skills, leadership or results. Instead of listing only the club name, describe what you contributed.

For example, you might write that you:

• Coordinated volunteers for a campus event.
• Managed a club’s social media posts and event promotion.
• Tracked spending and helped prepare a budget request.
• Led meetings or presented information to members.
• Organized a donation drive or service project.
• Created flyers, schedules, sign-up forms or newsletters.
• Worked with students, advisors and College departments.

Keep track of numbers when possible. The number of attendees, volunteers, donations or events can help show the size and result of your work.

Strengthen Scholarship and Transfer Applications

Colleges and scholarship committees may ask about leadership, service, activities and responsibilities outside class. Club involvement can give you specific experiences to discuss.

You might write about:

• A project you helped complete.
• A problem your group worked through.
• A leadership role you grew into.
• A service activity that mattered to you.
• A time you worked with people who had different ideas.
• A new academic or career interest you discovered.

Participation alone doesn’t guarantee admission or a scholarship. What matters is being able to explain what you did, what you learned and how the experience connects to your goals.

Serve the Campus and Community

Some clubs organize service projects, donation drives, awareness campaigns or volunteer activities. These projects can help students support a cause while learning how to organize people and resources.

Service experience may also strengthen scholarship, transfer and employment applications. It can show that you followed through on a commitment, worked with a group and contributed to your community.

You don’t need to lead an entire project to make a difference. You might collect supplies, design promotional materials, help at an event or invite other students to participate.

Grow Into a Leadership Role

You don’t have to begin as a club officer. Many students start by attending meetings, helping with one event or volunteering for a small task.

As you become more comfortable, you may decide to lead a project, manage communications, serve as an officer or help welcome new members.

Roach has served as president of the Pride Alliance Club and Creative Writers Club at STLCC-Wildwood. She has also participated in Culture Club, the New Student Programs Summer Book Club and the Music Appreciation Special Interest Group.

Learn How Events Come Together

Students in clubs and the Campus Activities Board (CAB) can help turn an idea into an event. That may include brainstorming, requesting space, creating promotional materials, purchasing supplies, setting up and helping guests participate.

Recognized student organizations may be able to request campus space, funding and other support for approved activities. Planning an event can involve more than choosing an idea and inviting students.

Depending on the activity, club members may need to:

• Discuss the idea with their advisor.
• Submit an event request.
• Reserve an approved location.
• Prepare a budget or request activity funds.
• Arrange food or catering.
• Create promotional materials.
• Coordinate equipment, setup and cleanup.
• Follow College safety and event procedures.

These responsibilities give students experience with deadlines, communication, budgeting and project coordination. Campus life provides forms for event requests, activity funding and catering on its club resources page.

Explore Academic and Career Interests

Some organizations connect directly to academic programs or career fields. They can help you meet students taking similar courses, learn from faculty advisors and explore what you might do after graduation.

Other clubs may help you discover an interest you hadn’t considered before. Writing, photography, programming, design, service or event planning may begin as an activity and later become part of your academic or career plans.

Review club listings at every campus rather than assuming a group must match your major. A student in any program may enjoy a gaming, cultural, creative or service organization.

Join Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is an international honor society for eligible community college students. STLCC chapters offer opportunities related to scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship.

PTK members may participate in projects, conferences, scholarship opportunities and activities with students from other chapters. Eligibility and membership requirements apply.

Students interested in PTK should review the current eligibility information and contact the chapter at their campus.

Make Involvement Work With Your Schedule

You may worry that you don’t have enough time for a club, especially if you work, care for family or take classes at more than one location.

You don’t need to attend every activity or accept a leadership position. Ask what level of participation the club expects before joining.

A club should add something positive to your college experience. It shouldn’t require you to ignore classes, work or basic needs.

Participate Without Becoming an Officer

You can benefit from a club without taking on a formal leadership title. Many organizations need members who attend activities, share ideas or help with occasional tasks.

Lower-commitment ways to participate may include:

• Attending a meeting when your schedule allows.
• Helping at one event.
• Creating a flyer or social media post.
• Taking photos during an activity.
• Bringing supplies or helping with setup.
• Joining a short-term committee or project.
• Inviting other students to attend.

Ask the club what help it needs. A specific, limited task may feel more manageable than agreeing to a semester-long role.

Find a Club at Your Campus

STLCC has clubs and organizations at Florissant Valley, Forest Park, Meramec and Wildwood. Current options may include academic, cultural, creative, professional, recreational and service-focused groups.

The campus life page lists active clubs by campus, along with advisor and student leader contact information when available.

You can also contact or visit the campus life office at your location:

• Florissant Valley: Student Center, Room 135
• Forest Park: Highland Park Building
• Meramec: Student Center, Room 128
• Wildwood: Technology Center, Room 246

Locations and contact information may change, so confirm the current details before visiting.

Get Involved Step by Step

1. Review the current club list.

   Visit the campus life page and look at the organizations available at your campus. Read the names and descriptions, but don’t worry about finding a perfect match immediately.

2. Contact the club.

   Email the listed advisor or student leader to ask when the group meets and how new members can participate.

3. Attend one meeting or event.

   You can listen and learn before deciding whether to join. Let someone know you’re new so they can explain how the group works.

4. Try more than one option.

   It may take a few meetings to find the group that feels right. You’re allowed to explore before committing your time.

5. Choose how you want to participate.

   You might attend meetings, volunteer at an event, help with communications or eventually pursue a leadership role.

Attend a Campus Expo

Campus Expos give students an opportunity to learn about clubs, organizations, events and leadership programs in one place.

Dates, times and locations vary. Check the STLCC events calendar and campus communications for upcoming opportunities.

You don’t need to sign up for anything immediately. Visit tables, ask questions and collect information about groups you may want to explore later.

Try a Club Even if You’re Nervous

Walking into a meeting where you don’t know anyone can feel uncomfortable. You don’t have to appear confident or introduce yourself to the entire room.

You can decide afterward if you want to return. Attending once doesn’t obligate you to join or accept a responsibility.

Start a New Student Club

If you don’t see an organization that matches your interests, you may be able to create one.

New clubs must complete the recognition process through campus life. This generally includes submitting a new or reactivated club form, a club constitution and an advisor agreement.

Visit the Club Resources section of the campus life page for campus-specific forms and instructions.

Common Questions About STLCC Clubs

Take One Small Step

Getting involved doesn’t require becoming a club president or filling your schedule with activities. It can begin with reading the club list, sending one email or attending one meeting.

That small step may help you meet people, learn something new and feel more connected to STLCC.