Acclimating to campus life as a freshman can be tough, especially when it comes to getting involved. However, the University of Alabama has over 600 student organizations that students can peruse at Get on Board Day, a semesterly afternoon event, where organizations table on the quad and tell the student body about their mission and purpose, as well as give students the opportunity to sign up.
Ahead of the event, here’s a few student organizations for students of color across a variety of majors that can be a great place to find your footing.
Black Student Union
The Black Student Union is a hub for Black students to come together and connect. The BSU is an especially good resource for freshmen students because it’s a great way to meet new people on campus that might be in or outside of your major and be a part of a community on campus.
“Joining the Black Student Union means becoming part of a legacy that has been advocating for the voices of minority students for over five decades,” said Jordan Stokes, BSU president and a senior majoring in chemical engineering. “BSU is committed to ensuring that minority students have the resources and community they need to thrive at UA.”
Previously, there was an office space on the first floor of the UA Student Center across from Crimson Copies. However, with the passage of SB 129 in March, the space has since been repurposed. Yet, even without a space on campus BSU is still an active part of the campus community and has a plethora of events like Onyx, where students can continue to celebrate community.
“As a BSU member, you also gain access to exclusive experiences that connect you with top employers from various industries. These events provide invaluable networking opportunities, helping you explore potential career paths and build relationships that can set you up for future success,” Stokes said. “Whether you’re looking to build essential skills, give back to the community, or simply find a space where you belong, BSU is here to support you every step of the way.”
To learn more about what the Black Student Union has coming up you can check out there Instagram.
Bama Indigenous Student Organization Network
The Bama Indigenous Student Organization Network was established as a safe space for Indigenous students to utilize to connect with one another and foster an inclusive environment for those looking to learn more about their culture.
BISON uses their resources to provide opportunities for students to learn about indigenous culture through forums, social events and other events.
“We support and represent the indigenous population with the resources and events like Cultural Exhibition, movie nights, and Native Graduation; where we present custom made stoles in celebration of each member who has completed their degree,” said Kiana Younker, BISON’s vice president and an arts management MFA candidate.
BISON is open to all Indigenous students and other students who are eager to learn about their traditions.
“We provide an inclusive environment where Indigenous culture can be appreciated, accepted and seen,” Younker said. “We hope to share our beautiful cultures and bond over our shared experiences.”
To learn more about what the Bama Indigenous Student Organization Network has coming up you can check out there Instagram.
Black Business Student Association (BBSA)
The Black Business Student Association is a student organization for minority students in the Culverhouse College of Business.
“The Black Business Student Association is the cornerstone for Black students at Culverhouse,” said Nairobi Brown, BBSA president and junior majoring in finance. “Each semester we are dedicated to helping our members grow professionally, build community, and fully utilize the resources available at the Capstone.”
For first-year students, it provides a good way to meet other students within the college in different classifications to get their perspective on the experiences within the college as well as network and find internships, job opportunities and peer-to-peer mentoring. The organization offers “direct interactions with Fortune 500 companies through corporate meet-and-greets and access to a broad alumni network.”
Brown said they invite anyone interested in business or entrepreneurship to follow them on Instagram for updates on meetings and events.
Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS)
Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students is a student organization for minority students looking to enter the medical field in the future. It provides a great chance to meet other students in STEM who are also looking to enter the medical field and meet others who are already established within it.
“We offer unparalleled opportunities including information sessions, service days, and guest speakers. Through the countless items that go into developing a professional school (Medical, Dental, etc.) application, MAPS serves as an incredible resource and uplifting community,” said Yonathan Janka, MAPS president and a senior majoring in microbiology. “Ultimately, we aim to address the needs of underserved communities and increase the number of clinically excellent, culturally competent, and socially conscious healthcare providers.”
To learn more about MAPS you can follow them on Instagram.
Hispanic-Latino Association
The Hispanic-Latino Association helps connect students of Hispanic and/or Latin heritage to discuss topics relevant to their community as well as educate other students interested in Hispanic/Latin culture.
According to their Source page, their “main focus is to unite students, graduate students, and faculty/staff of Hispanic/Latino ethnic background and those who have interest in Hispanic/Latino culture through activities that invoke cultural, social, educational, and political awareness.”
HLA hopes to create a representative voice for the Hispanic/Latino campus community by identifying issues on campus and addressing those needs to administration.
To learn more about HLA, you can follow them on Instagram.
The National Society of Black Engineers
The National Society of Black Engineers provides students the opportunity to meet other minority students within the college of engineering spanning from all focuses. This organization is great for freshmen looking to get insight on the professional aspects of engineering and networking.
According to their Source page, the National Society of Black Engineers mission is “to increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally, and positively impact the community.”
“We strive to create a family on campus at the University of Alabama. UA NSBE hosts events that focus on professional development, academic development, and community service,” their Source page stated. “We aim to highlight the importance of a good résumé and cover letter, the power of networking, whether in-person or on social media.”
You can follow the National Society of Black Engineers on Instagram to learn more about their upcoming events.
Capstone Association of Black Journalists
Capstone Association of Black Journalists is a great avenue for minority students arriving to the University who are interested in networking with other journalists across media platforms. It is a chapter formed under the National Association of Black Journalists which has chapters across the United States at other colleges and universities.
To learn more about CABJ you can follow them on Instagram.
While this is a small list of organizations geared toward minority students, there are many others available for students to join on the SOURCE website.
