Benefits arise from student participation 

No matter if a student is interested in Greek Life, service opportunities, student government, or even creating their own student-run organization, NKU has something for everyone.

Betty Mulkey, the director of Student Life, said there were 222 student organizations last year, with a total of 5,291 unique members spanning across every organization. She also stated that in two year’s time, the number of organization participants grew from 4,000 to 5,000.

“Change your life, change the world,” Mulkey said, quoting the new motto of the office of Student Life.

Mulkey also spoke about the Northern Kentucky Leadership Institute and the Freshman Service Leadership Committee.

In the Northern Kentucky Leadership Institute last year, there were 108 freshman in the service and leadership training, and in Freshman Service Leadership Committee, there were 248 active members.

Also, the Freshman Service Leadership Committee is open to any freshman interested in joining. One way to search for organizations is to go to OrgSync or NorseUp on the NKU homepage, which holds a compilation of every organization on campus.

Kimberly Vance, the director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, stated that more than 850 students were involved with Greek Life, about 8 percent of all full-time students. There are many different options to choose with Greek life, whether students are looking for a sorority, fraternity, or the recently founded Alpha Psi Lambda, a Latino Greek organization.

Vance also stated that there is an 84 percent retention rate for those involved in Greek Life.

The International Student Union is a great way to get involved and learn about culture, according to Elizabeth Chaulk, director of the Office of International Students and Scholars.

The International Student Union is a student-run organization that promotes cultural awareness. The group meets every Friday at 3:30 p.m. for an hour in SU 302. They also have monthly “Coffee Hours,” featuring a different country and multicultural food corresponding with each particular culture. The next meeting will be held Sept. 4 at 3:30 p.m. in UC 305, with the featured country being Russia.

Current students each provided some valuable advice for freshmen on how to take that first step in getting involved.

“I would say FSLC, definitely,” said sophomore Lam Pham, “That’s where I got started. It’s a good way to just meet new people and get involved. And if you’re into service, it’s like a good balance of that, to be part of a community.”

Junior Colton Johnson called Freshman Service Leadership Committee a “platform organization, since it’s an all-freshman-run organization.”

Senior Brenna Bartlett said that Greek life was the best form of involvement. She said that it is a large commitment, but it opened her up to other leadership opportunities.

Senior David Trump encourages students to get involved in at least one organization in their first year, and considers Student Government’s five freshmen-only seats a good opportunity.

Trump, Pham, Bartlett, and Johnson all had this advice to pass on to freshmen: meet someone new, get involved, find a mentor and step out of your comfort zone.

Finally, both Vance and Mulkey said there are many benefits to getting involved here at NKU. Vance said that Greek life helps to make connections, create a sense of leadership, and provide social engagement, for everyone involved.

Mulkey said that getting involved leads to a stronger connection to campus and that those who are involved graduate at a higher rate than those who are not involved.

Mulkey said in the long run, it also looks very good on a résumé to be involved in school.

Mulkey said whether getting involved in as many organizations as possible, or just choosing one to start, every student can find the right organization, or two, for them.