There are many ways to get involved with the campus community at Iowa. There are more than 550 student organizations on campus, including but not limited to academic clubs, service clubs, professional and social fraternities and sororities, and intramural sports teams. You can also become a peer advisor or participate in the Career Leadership Academy.

Why is campus involvement and leadership important?

Students who are engaged in their campus experience are more likely to be successful at Iowa and enjoy themselves while they do it. On-campus organizations can also provide you with experiences and networks that can help you find career opportunities later in life.

Where can I find these kinds of opportunities?

Division of Student Life has information on the many clubs and student organizations at Iowa as well as fraternity and sorority life. There is also a Student Involvement Fair held every September and February with representatives and information from many clubs on campus. Recreational Services has a list of all the intramural sports offered each semester and information on sport clubs. To become a peer mentor or advisor, look online at Mentor at Iowa or check with your academic advisor to see what opportunities your college offers. You can also enroll in the Career Leadership Academy through the Pomerantz Career Center.

How do you prepare?

Look into the opportunities you want to be involved with and see what their requirements are for joining. In some cases, there may be dues or waivers, other times try-outs or auditions, and some may require you to enroll in certain classes. Once you have decided what you want to do, go ahead and join! If you have questions about the level of commitment an organization requires, most have a representative listed on Campus Labs who can help answer your questions.

Who can help?

If you’re unsure where to start with campus involvement, the UI offers engagement advising to help you determine what opportunities are right for you. You can book an appointment with an advisor through MyUI. If you already have an idea of what organization you want to join, you can also reach out directly to a member of that group for more information on how to get started.