What is campus involvement and leadership?
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?
Getting involved can help you:
- Build a sense of belonging on campus
- Develop leadership and communication skills
- Meet students with similar interests
- Expand your professional network
- Gain experience for your résumé, CV, or graduate school applications
- Explore interests and potential career paths
- Increase your engagement and success at Iowa
How do you prepare?
- Explore organizations and opportunities that match your interests and goals
- Ask about:
- Membership dues or fees
- Try-outs or auditions
- Required training or coursework
- Meeting schedules
Once you've found a good fit, join, get involved, and start building your experience.
You can also contact organization representatives through Campus Labs to learn more.
Who can help?
- Discuss your interests and goals
- Explore opportunities that fit your schedule and aspirations
- Schedule appointments through MyUI
- Connect involvement opportunities to your academic goals
- Identify leadership experiences within your college
- Find opportunities that complement your coursework
Student Organization Leaders
- Contact a student leader or representative directly
- Ask about membership, expectations, and upcoming events
- Attend a meeting or event to learn more before joining
Where can I find these opportunities?
Student Organization Involvement
Iowa has over 500 student organizations you can get involved with. There are organizations based around academics, environmental issues, politics, recreation, different cultural groups, and more. Browse Campus Labs to see a full list of all the organizations on campus.
Career Leadership Academy
The Career Leadership Academy prepares aspiring Iowa undergraduate student leaders to excel in their future endeavors beyond the University setting and to live and lead with integrity.
Intramurals
Intramural sports are a great way to meet new people and stay active. Iowa has intramural leagues for a variety of different sports, some you’ve heard of, and some you probably haven’t. You can start a team with some friends or join one that already exists. For more information, check out Recreational Services.
Mentoring@Iowa
This website shares mentoring programs available on campus and provides resources to help mentors and mentees make the most out of the mentorship experience. It is also meant to promote a transparent and intentional culture of mentoring in which mentors and mentees enrich each others’ professional and personal experiences, whether at the University of Iowa or beyond.
Peer Mentoring/Advising
Many departments and programs at Iowa offer peer mentoring or advising services. If you want to find a peer mentor or apply to become a peer mentor, look on the Mentor at Iowa website or your department website for more information.
LS:1020 Introduction to Leadership
The goal of this class is to provide an overview of the theories and skills necessary for effective leadership. Students will examine the historical perspective on leadership theory, participate in self-assessments, learn about the Student Leadership Challenge, understand groups, culture, and communities, apply what they have learned in experiential learning settings, and develop a personal philosophy of leadership. This course is geared toward emerging student leaders.