As a college student, getting involved in student-led organizations can be overwhelming. At Mississippi State University alone, there are 374 student-led organizations registered on Cowbell Connect, including everything from Greek life to honors societies. While many are encouraged to join these organizations to boost their resumes, joining purely for this reason diminishes the effectiveness of the organization.
Throughout my time in college, I have been involved with student organizations such as Active Minds, the International Institute and the Stennis-Montgomery Association. Through my roles as the secretary for Active Minds and as a Study Abroad Ambassador, I have realized how important it is to be passionate about the organization you are joining, as it makes the experience more enjoyable and allows you to develop meaningful relationships that go beyond college.
In organizations such as Active Minds, which is focused on mental health awareness, those serving in leadership positions should have some background related to the club, whether that be their major or past work and volunteer experience. Without these requirements, I find that it makes collaboration with other executive members more difficult and leads to apathy amongst the team members.
The same can be said during my time as a Study Abroad Ambassador, where all the members had previous study abroad experience, which allows for a greater understanding of the challenges that exist in getting students to study abroad.
In addition to helping advance the organization’s mission, only joining organizations that you are passionate about allows you to more easily build community and make connections with individuals who have a shared interest.
Connor McKee is a junior majoring in computer engineering. McKee, who currently serves as the president of Mississippi State University Baptist Student Union, recounted some of the reasons why he decided to get involved with the BSU.
“As a freshman, I knew I needed some type of community here at State, and having a place to meet that need was a must,” McKee said.
When asked about his approach to leadership and ensuring the BSU’s success, McKee said his approach is based on service.
“I approach leadership with very service-oriented mindset,” McKee said. “Whether that means I help clean up after an event, or just take someone aside to give them an encouraging word, I try to make my first priority being an encouragement for those serving alongside me.”
Additionally, the leadership skills gained in student-led organizations can help improve academic performance and lead to all around growth. McKee spoke to his own struggles managing his schedule.
“Having to juggle an engineering degree, social life, other responsibilities, as well as leading and encouraging our BSU has really taught me how to manage my time,” McKee said.
In addition to all the personal benefits that can be attained, the impact on the organization itself is among the most important. While organizations that are small can be great for some people, the ultimate goal of any organization should be to grow and reach as many students as possible.
During my time with Active Minds, we often struggled to get adequate turnout for our general body meetings, as many of the executive members themselves were busy and prioritized change by pushing for policy changes through the MSU Student Association, instead of raising awareness and building a passionate community that brings about change in a way that better meets the needs of students. While this is a strategy many organizations have employed, I believe that the strongest organizations are composed of members who have a personal connection and share a deep passion for the work being done, along with leaders who treat the organization like their calling. I found this frustrating, especially as mental health has become a national issue at campuses across the United States.
While visiting the MSU BSU for International Hour last Thursday, I was surprised by the energy and hospitality the leadership team provided, despite it being late at night on Thursday. McKee put it best.
“The main factor that has contributed to our growth, though, is the community that we have built at the BSU,” McKee said. “We make it a priority to make people feel included, whether you’ve been here for four years or four days.”
Utilizing this approach allows individuals to gain a greater understanding of the organization’s purpose and increase their presence and impact on campus.This also allows for individuals to feel more comfortable around other members and leaders and doing so increases the liklihood of individuals returning and becoming members.
Through all of these experiences, I have learned and appreciated all the great work our student-led organizations do in creating a more inclusive and prosperous campus environment. While I do believe these organizational changes can start from increasing student engagement, it also raises the question of implementing stricter membership requirements within the organizations themselves in order to maximize their potential.
