Special Interest Clubs & Organizations
Active involvement in campus life can have a definite positive impact on your overall experience as a student. The faculty and staff of the college enthusiastically support the co-curricular program and encourage students to participate in outside of the classroom opportunities.
In fact, African-American students, like all students, are actively engaged in campus life through efforts such as serving on campus committees, Student Senate, and Residence Hall leadership. As well, many African-American students participate in one or more of the three special interest clubs and organizations:
- The African-American Students United or AASU,
- The Black Professional Development Organization or BPO,
- Students Organized Against Racism or SOAR.
Though the focus of each organization is on issues related to historical and contemporary African-American issues, all Hiram students are welcome to attend. The mission of each organization is below:
AASU
The African American Student United or AASU organizes students around quality of life issues of Hiram’s African-American community. With a strong emphasis on academic success, leadership, service, and campus involvement, AASU members work hard to insure that their members feel at "home" within the Hiram community. The four elected officers of the organization meet weekly to plan social and educational events, collaborate with other campus organizations, and serve as a liaison for African-American student concerns and issues. AASU meetings are held weekly in the organization’s multi-purpose space, the UMOJA (unity) room that is located in a designated area of the Quadrangle Residence Hall.
Advisor: Dee West, Director of Ethnic Diversity Affairs
BPO
The Black Professional Development Organization has as its mission to assist minority students in their career development. Working closely with the Career Center, the organization is instrumental in encouraging students to "make intentional efforts to enhance your marketability." BPO officers organize and advertise existing career programs such as career fairs, internships, and resume writing workshops. The goal of the organization is to insure that all students maintain a sense of professional purpose and achievement.
Advisor: Kathryn Craig, Director of The Career Center
SOAR
The mission of Students Organized Against Racism is to assist in community efforts to educate about issues related to race and culture. One of the most effective resources that the group emphasizes is intercultural dialogue or providing safe and intellectual opportunities for people of all backgrounds to talk about both their differences and similarities. Of the organization’s many programming initiatives, one of the most effective has been their work on Hiram’s recent "Coming Together Project: A Community Forum On Race". Rather than fostering a political stance or particular "philosophy" on race, the group maintains as its goal to create an open forum that can be shared by all perspectives.
Advisor: Dee West, Director of Ethnic Diversity Affairs
For more information about Hiram clubs and organizations, refer to The Office of Student Involvement or contact the Director, Amy Wilson, at 330.569.5181.