Club Fest Connects Campus Life

Exploring Student Involvement at Northampton Community College.

By Isabella Cormane

NCC students had the opportunity to explore dozens of clubs and organizations during Club Fest on Sept. 8, an event designed to help students find new interests, meet other members of the campus community and discover ways to become more involved outside the classroom.

Thirty-nine of NCC’s more than 50 clubs participated in this year’s event, according to Nykolai Blichar, director of Student Life and Leadership Development. Organizations represented at Club Fest included Phi Theta Kappa, Student Senate, Anime Club, Tabletop Gaming Club, Outdoors Club, Psychology Club, Women’s Club and many more.

Most student organizations are based at the Bethlehem Campus, while others operate at the Pocono campus. Students are not limited to organizations at their own campus, and many clubs offer hybrid meetings.

“Joining a club at NCC is a great way for students to build community, make new friends, and connect with others who share their interests,” Blichar said. Clubs can also help students develop leadership, teamwork and communication skills while building their résumés and contributing to the campus community.

That sense of community was reflected in the variety of organizations represented at Club Fest.

Nathalia Gathers of the Women’s Club said the organization plans to organize speaker series that combine research and personal experiences to discuss topics such as sexual experiences while creating a safe environment where people can talk openly.

Although it is the Women’s Club, Gathers emphasized that participation is not limited to women.

The goal, she said, is for everyone to feel empowered to participate because many of the experiences and issues the club discusses can affect people regardless of gender. The club is still determining its meeting location and schedule for the semester.

The Hispanic American Cultural Club, or HACC, similarly welcomes students from all backgrounds.

James Colón, an adviser for the organization, described HACC as a place where students can celebrate Hispanic culture while bringing people together on campus.

“Absolutely anyone can join the club,” Colón said. Students do not have to be Hispanic; an interest in learning about or sharing Hispanic culture is enough to participate.

The organization hosts activities including flag-raising events and dance classes featuring bachata, merengue and salsa. It has also organized Mexican dance workshops and plans events such as Cafecito Conversations, which create opportunities for students to have deeper discussions with campus leaders.

International Student Organization, also known as ISO, provides another space for cultural exchange. Brandon Andrews said the organization gives students opportunities to learn about and share different cultures.

With international students, immigrants and students from immigrant families represented at NCC, ISO can become a place where students share food, music, dance and traditions while meeting people they may not otherwise encounter.

The organization also goes beyond regular campus meetings. ISO has organized trips to cultural festivals, museums, New York City and Philadelphia, as well as recreational destinations such as Dorney Park and Hershey Park.

“It is really open to everybody,” Andrews said, emphasizing that students from different backgrounds can participate and share their cultures with others.

Academic achievement also has a place within NCC’s club community.

The Honors Club brings together high-achieving students while giving them opportunities to relax and socialize outside the classroom. Activities include movie events and college tours to institutions such as Princeton and Columbia universities. The club is open to student with a minimum 2.7 GPA, while students interested in becoming officers need at least a 3.0 GPA. Meetings are held Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon.

Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, offers another opportunity for academically successful students. This organization focuses on scholarship, leadership, research, volunteering and community service.

Crystal Armstrong, president of Phi Theta Kappa, said students become eligible after completing at least 12 college credits at NCC and maintaining a minimum 3.5 GPA. Eligible students receive an invitation to join.

The organization works on major projects throughout the academic year and participates in community service initiatives. Members may also gain access to scholarship opportunities and other benefits when transferring to four-year institutions.

For students interested in journalism, photography or publishing, The Commuter, NCC’s student newspaper, offers a different kind of hands-on experience.

Professor Jaime Gallagher, adviser of The Commuter, said the newspaper plans three online editions and one print edition this semester, covering areas including news, sports, features and photography. Students from any major can participate, although the experience can be particularly useful for Journalism and Communication students.

“There’s no thrill like seeing your name for the first time in print,” Gallagher said.

The newspaper meets Thursdays at 11 a.m. in College Center 162.

Students who missed Club Fest still have opportunities to join organizations throughout the semester. According to Blichar, there is no deadline for becoming involved in a club.

This semester, NCC is also using N-Gage, a centralized digital platform designed to make student involvement easier. Students can use the platform to find organizations, learn about events, locate meeting information and track their campus involvement.

Blichar described N-Gage as a “one-stop shop for everything student involvement.” For students who are unsure where to begin, Blichar recommends exploring N-Gage, attending a club meeting or visiting Student Life and Leadership Development. Students do not have to wait for another Club Fest to find their place on campus.