As students return to CSU Stanislaus this spring semester, there are a variety of opportunities presented to help get them involved. One of many approaches to branching out on campus includes staying up to date with clubs on campus and joining them.
Photography Club, started in fall 2022, is another up-and-coming club that is working towards serving students through social events and workshops by teaching students about the art of photography.
Nguyen Li (senior, Business), the club’s president, said that in having socials and workshops, it might allow those who are newer to photography to better ease into the club and art itself, without the pressure and overwhelming nature of content.
Simeon Zaragoza (sophomore, Communication Studies), the club’s event coordinator, delved deeper into the two types of meetings.
“The social is where we gather as a group of photographers and get to know each other and get to meet new people, collaborate if we want to,” he said. “And then the workshops are more content based, gaining news skills, learning new ideas, and learning new things.”
Ramika Govergezy (grad student, Counseling Education Program), the club’s vice president, said the skill level doesn’t matter.
“They can barely be into photography or they could be doing this for a living outside of school,” Govergezy said.
Meetings for the Photography Club take place once a month. The best methods of staying in touch with Photo Club is by following them on Instagram (@stanstatephotographyclub) and joining their organization page on Warrior Life.
Assyrian Club originally began in 2018, but after a long hiatus, the club has reawakened to teach and expose Stan State students to Assyrian culture through meetings and activities.
The president of the club, Isabel Gaddo (senior, Biology) said that one of the primary goals of this club is trying to network with all of the Assyrians on campus.
“And kind of have like a stronger base community on campus with all of the fellow Assyrians,” she said. “We want to make sure that they have, like an organization, that they could feel welcome in.”
Katherine Jacobs (senior, Biology), is the club’s vice-president.
“I think it’s a good way to also educate everyone else who isn’t Assyrian on campus,” she said, “especially because we are the largest minority group here in Turlock.”
Gaddo recommends that people join this club to become part of a “tight knit community” that helps foster a collaborative and caring environment.
Assyrian club plans one activity and one meeting a month. One of the best ways to stay in touch with Assyrian Club is by following them on their Instagram (@csusassyrianclub).
The Sociology Club has been an active club that has put together numerous events that help support the Turlock and Stan State community.
Nancy Aguirre-Rios (senior, Sociology), the president of the club, said that meetings primarily consist of supporting the people in the area through community service events. Past events they have conducted include volunteering for United Samaritans Foundation, park cleanups near the Tuolumne River and hygiene kit drives. The club also features guest speakers for students interested in pursuing the field of sociology.
Robbie Johnson (senior, Sociology), the club’s treasurer, explained that students should consider joining the club because it’s a great place to network and to make friends.
“We spread a lot of love and joy and we all have fun with what we do,” Johnson said.
Sociology Club meetings are projected to take place monthly. Keep up to date with the Sociology Club by following their Instagram account (@stanstatesociclub) and following them on Warrior Life.
The Gaming Club has been providing students a unique space to let loose and socialize through a variety of games.
The president of the club, David Lima (junior, Computer Science), said the club offers a variety of games and activities, ranging from cards, board games and video games, such as e-sports and Smash Bros.
Alongside board games and video games, the club also looks forward to hosting events this semester, such as Smash Bros. tournaments, archery tag, dodgeball tournaments, and volleyball.
In regards to why people should join the club, Lima added that the Gaming Club is not only for gamers.
“It’s honestly just a great way to meet new people, socialize and get involved on campus,” he said.
The Gaming Club meets every Friday. Stay up-to-date with Gaming Club by joining their Discord server, which can be accessed through a link in their Instagram bio (@stanstategaming).
Language Club, started in fall of 2022, has been helping teach students a variety of languages along with their respective cultures.
Marisol Garcia (junior, Anthropology), the club’s treasurer, said they really try to make a community out of the club and serve as a supportive and judge free environment.
“We kind of just try to make it more of like a chill environment, to say,” she said. “We just really want to make friends that share the same passion that we do.”
Chheanna Phoeun (senior, Liberal Studies), is the club’s student event coordinator.
“Learning a new language is super intimidating, and it’s really hard to find a safe space or environment where everybody is kind of on the same page or has the same interest,” she said, “and also just being around people that are willing to learn a new language with you and not be afraid to mess up or be judged.”
Language Club meetings occur bi-weekly; students are able to attend their meetings in-person or through Zoom. Stay connected with this club by following them on their Instagram (@stanstate.languageclub).
Eco Warriors is a club on campus whose mission is to help teach students how to be more sustainable and mindful of the environment. Jessica Ayala (sophomore, Spanish), the club’s social media coordinator, explained that Eco Warriors strives to serve Stan State students by offering opportunities to earn community service hours through events such as campus, park or river clean-ups.
When asked to further describe the club, Isabel Bon (sophomore, Business Administration), is the club’s treasurer.
“It enforces all students to know more things about the planet, like facts about recycling, how to compost, simple things like that, that you know people should know, or people should start doing to help our planet,” she said
Meetings for Eco Warriors occur bi-weekly, alternating between Tuesdays and Thursdays. Keep in touch with the club through their Instagram account (@ecowarriors_csustan) and by following them on Warrior Life.
Criminal Justice Club is a newly reinstated club that is starting up again after an extended break due to COVID. They intend to support Stan State students through providing numerous professional resources and offering a variety of connections in the criminal justice field through inviting guest speakers and job recruiters to their meetings.
Meybis Gonzalez (senior, Criminal Justice), is the club’s vice president, said many people say they want to be a police officer, but they don’t fully understand the process of becoming a police officer or what it is to be a police officer.
“So that’s why we really want to bring in those people that work in that field currently to show them like it isn’t what you see on TV,” Gonzalez said.
Club president, Micheal Mead (senior, Criminal Justice), added that there is a lot more to it than just being a police officer.
“You can go from corrections to being a lawyer to forensic chemist who can even work with kids who are considered juveniles,” he said.
Both Meybis and Michael strongly encourage joining the club if you are in need of course advising if you are pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice.
The Criminal Justice Club meets every Wednesday at 4 p.m. in Bizzini room 208. The best way to stay in touch with this club is by following them on Instagram (@_stan_state_cj_).
Bookworms at Stan State is a new club that became official in January of 2023. Their goal in providing this club is to help students rekindle the joy and fun of reading outside of an academic context.
Mindy Lilse (junior, Business Administration), the president of the club, said that club meetings are very student-led. Each month, students are encouraged to share books they would want to read as a group, and then each book gets voted on. The next month, the club has an open discussion about the book.
Lilse also explained that the club is a tool to foster literacy.
“I think that literacy expands comprehension, it expands cognitive ability, it expands our ability to communicate effectively, it expands our vocabulary,” she said. “It expands a lot of things. It’s good self care just to take a minute or 30 minutes a day just for yourself.”
Meetings for Bookworms at Stan State take place once a month, every second Friday of the month at 5 p.m. in Bizzini room 214. Stay in touch with this club by following them on Instagram (@bookworms_stanstate) and joining their Warrior Life page. Students can also contact Mindy Lilse at (209) 735-2492 if they have any questions about the club.
Theater Club, is a new club for 2023, and its members intend to serve the Stan State community by giving students the chance to take part in the creation of theatrical productions.
Chandara Tep (senior, Theater Arts) noted how many students on campus who were not Theater Arts majors, but were still interested in the medium. To help expose more students to this field, the club plans on teaching about theatrical etiquette and technical aspects, such as costuming, acting, writing and design.
Ashley Mendez (junior, Theater Arts), the vice president of the club, said that everyone has something to offer and everyone belongs here.
“Everyone has their own passions, has their own thing that they’re good at and you will always find something to do here,” Mendez said.
Theatre Club meetings and events are to be determined. Support Theatre Club and stay in touch with them by joining their organization on Warrior Life.