Students surround the tables lining the second-floor hallway in Billingsly Student Center, eager to learn about each club offered on campus. From Greek Life to printmaking, from academic honor societies to esports, there are many organizations and clubs for students to join. Campus Involvement Day allows these groups to promote their organization and gain new members.
In attendance is the Campus Activities Board, or CAB. CAB is a student-led programming board who organizes events for students, such as Campus Involvement Day. CAB members sophomore Sadie Smiles and junior Collin Gray talk to students who approach the CAB table or lure them using a remote-controlled car filled with candy.
“CAB has helped me make friends,” said Smiles, the director of membership enrichment for the organization. “Joining is a way to be involved with a lot of events on campus and a way to meet new people. I’ve seen a lot of friendships form through the club.”
Smiles states that CAB also helped her show her personality and become involved on campus.
“I’ve learned that I’m very talkative,” she said. “Before CAB, I wasn’t very involved on campus, but CAB organizes many events around here, so now I’m involved in it all.”
Gray expresses that CAB helps not just Smiles to live up to her name but also allows other’s personalities to shine, even those who participate in their events.
“Our events can help those who are more serious let loose and give others with outgoing personalities a chance to have fun,” he said. “These moments bring a sense of belonging to campus and a chance for students to get away from the classroom or the dorms and enjoy themselves.”
There are many organizations and clubs offered on campus like the new Native American Association (NAA). In addition to CAB, Gray is also promoting MSSU’s new student organization NAA during Campus Involvement Day. He describes the various items on their table like a lacrosse stick, moccasins, and a traditional rattle and drums, items that the club can make. Open to all students, NAA brings Native American culture to campus and finds resources such as scholarships for Indigenous students. With Joplin’s proximity to Oklahoma, the state with the most Native American tribes in the country, it’s important to the club that they exist on campus.
“I’m proud to represent our culture on campus,” said freshman Amara Christenson, a member of NAA. “It’s very important for me, and I’m really passionate about it, so it’s great to share that with others.”
NAA also rases awareness of missing and murdered Indigenous people. The club aims to direct members towards information surrounding these cases.
“We want to raise awareness of the injustices done to our brothers and sisters,” said Gray. “It’s important for NAA to do so.”
Both members express their hopes that NAA can raise awareness and bring people together.
“I hope members learn more about their culture and know that NAA can be a resource to them, and we can help connect them to what they need.”
