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One of Grand View’s newest clubs  

Black Student Union (BSU) is the newest club on Grand View’s campus. Alyssa Parker is one of the club’s Co-Presidents. She is a sophomore majoring in Criminal Justice and Psychology, but outside of class, she focuses on BSU.  

The club uses an acronym that Parker said, “embodies everything that we are trying to do this year… to keep our selves F.I.R.S.T.”  

F– Fellowship of our people 

I– Improvement of our character 

R– Rejoicing of our culture 

S– Spokesperson of our issues 

T– Teachers of our heritage 

This is BSU’s first full semester, so Parker said their biggest part they are focusing on is fellowship of our people.  

“We want the black students, or minority students on campus, to feel like they have a safe space to come and celebrate and just be comfortable,” Parker said. “Most of the black students on campus are far from home and this group gives them a sense of community and family.”  

The club is looking for open-minded and openhearted people on campus. They are searching for people that want to help minority students have a better experience at Grand View. 

“You don’t have to be black to join. That’s the biggest thing,” Parker said.

If you’re interested in becoming a member, email Parker or watch for club meeting and event information to be sent to your Grand View email inbox. You can also find contact information for the club’s adviser at https://www.grandview.edu/about/directory/profile?id=000s3v1 . 

Engaging Men 

Engaging Men also provides Grand View students with a chance to be involved on campus. Jake Thompson, who is majoring Public Relations and Journalism as well as Corporate Communications, is a senior this year. He is one of Engaging Men’s founders and says that they are trying to spread an initiative of, “#positivementality.”  

This isn’t an “official” Grand View club, but the group does provide opportunities for students to come together. Their mission statement is, “Engaging Men is a group of Grand View University students who are invested in promoting healthy masculinity, sexual responsibility, and respectful relationships.”  

Thompson said this movement is important because there’s been a lot of sexual violence or misconduct that goes around, especially with college-age people. Thompson said the group aims to create a movement on campus towards healthier relationships between couples and healthier relationships in general. 

“It’s definitely something that we want anyone and everyone to get involved in, even women…if…people agree with the values [then] hopefully they’ll come to our events,” Thompson said. “We’ll send out emails when we have events. Otherwise, they can email me, and we’ll get them involved.”  

Why should students get involved?  

Heidi Pries, the Director of Involvement and New Student Programs here on campus and has many years of experience with working with clubs.

Pries advises two clubs on campus, one of which is the Dance Marathon Club. In January of 2017, they raised over $30,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network.

“There’s tons and tons of research out there that the students that are involved on their campus are going to be more likely to graduate in four years, [and] more likely to do well in their classes, because their having to manage their time,” Pries said. “When you’re interviewing for jobs or internships, you can say…I’ve led a group of students or I’ve planned an event or I’ve done marketing materials for an event.” 

Pries said joining a club can help you prepare for job interviews. If you’re involved in a club, you are most likely having direct contact with administrators and professors on campus.

What holds students back? 

If students are hesitant to join clubs because they are unsure about what they can commit to, Pries said most clubs don’t even have requirements. You can join the club and come to their activities. They just want you to be involved in some way.   

According to Pries, another misconception is if students don’t get involved early on in the semester, they will not be welcomed into that the club and that is not true. You can join a club at any point along in the semester. 

If becoming a Grand View club member interests you, be sure to check out Grand View’s Student Life page on the Grand View website to get familiar with all the clubs and organizations offered on campus https://www.grandview.edu/student-life/campus.

If you want to be a club member and want something new, consider starting a club of your own. Pries said that when a club comes from the students, it’s going to be more successful. Looking for some ideas? Check out this video to see what other clubs students think are missing at Grand View: