Student Groups & Clubs

We encourage students to create student groups and organizations, provided these groups serve a positive function and promote student engagement. Clubs may sponsor major social activities, special engagements, and, in some instances, provide financial aid through scholarships.

To receive official sanction, a club must contact the Director of Student Activities. The director can provide information about the procedures for starting clubs, as well as information on possible funding for programming and make arrangements for space or room reservations.

Have an idea for a club or organization? Contact the Director of Student Activities, Abbie Twyford Wilson, at atwyford@egcc.edu or (330) 480-0726, ext. 3129.

Active Minds

Active Minds is a national leader for mental health advocacy and suicide prevention. Its EGCC chapter is open to all students. The organization offers programs to reduce the stigma around mental health and promote mental wellness by breaking barriers and building hope. Active Minds has five main pillars: awareness, education, advocacy, community, and connection.

For more information, contact ActiveMinds@egcc.edu.

Black Student Union

The Eastern Gateway Community College Black Student Union strives to inform and educate our community on the struggles and achievements, both past and present, of African-Americans. Through our programming and interactions we aim to break down stereotypes and challenge our community to accept differences. Discussions are held based on political, educational, social, and cultural issues surrounding the African-American community. The Black Student Union is open to all students.

For more information, please contact diversityoffice@egcc.edu.

Dental Assisting Student Organization

The Student Dental Assisting Organization is open to those students enrolled in the Dental Assisting Program. The purpose of this group is to provide the student with the opportunity to develop leadership skills and self-confidence, while promoting service learning. Members are invited to participate in Student American Dental Assistants Association (SADAA).

This group has a fall semester start-up, with the class voting on a class president and secretary for the club. Meetings will be conducted twice a month under the guidance of the group advisor. The group will be responsible for creating a community service project and raising the funds to achieve it. Student dental assistants become a part of a profession that serves the community; this service group will help its members understand the commitment necessary to become a productive member of the dental profession.

For more information, please contact Tammy Graham, Program Director Dental Assisting and EFDA, at tgraham@egcc.edu or (740) 266-9666

EGCC Book Club

The EGCC Book Club offers a way for students to engage with each other, college staff, and subject matter experts by sharing a common reading experience. Meetings are held virtually and led by student activities staff. Seven books are selected throughout the academic year (two each for fall and spring semesters and three in the summer), focusing on topics that enhance students’ understanding of diversity and inclusion issues, historical perspectives, and self-awareness. For more information, please contact Ashlea Kennedy (akennedy@egcc.edu).

EGCC Veterinary Technician Club

The EGCC Veterinary Technician Club strives to promote a closer relationship between veterinary technician students, students in related curriculum, the AVMA, College of Veterinary Medicine, and veterinary medical students. The club promotes better understanding and interest of the veterinary profession and supportive fields, and helps the student members have more opportunities to further round out their education. For more information, please contact Stacy Pierce (SCPierce@egcc.edu).

IT Club

The IT Club at Eastern Gateway Community College is composed of students, alumni, and faculty interested in computers and technology. Bi-weekly meetings are held virtually and are led by club officers. Officers are selected by the membership at the beginning of the fall semester, include the offices of President, Vice-President, and Secretary, and serve for an academic year. During the meetings, members are encouraged to actively participate in discussions, presentations, and/or demonstrations on current technology topics. Meeting topics are shared with the membership prior to the meetings so members can prepare for the discussion(s). Members are also invited to suggest topics, presentations, or demonstrations for the meetings, and to volunteer to be a presenter or demonstrator. Club members also host a special monthly session called Tech Talks. Topics for these instructional sessions are suggested by the membership or the general college population and are meant to be educational in nature.

Bobbie Parnicza, Information Technology faculty, is the club advisor. For more information or to receive an invitation to the next meeting, contact the club at IT_Club@egcc.edu.

Learn More

Medical Assisting Student Organization

This group is for students who are currently enrolled in the medical assisting program. It is a community service student group that participates in a wide variety of on-campus and off-campus events to promote medical assisting, EGCC, and healthy living. The goal of the group is to participate in college activities and do 10 hours of community service per student, per semester.

For more information, contact Tracy Miller, Medical Assisting Program Director and Patient Home Navigator Program Director, at tmiller@egcc.edu or (740) 266-9659

Oak Tree Journal

Oak Tree Journal is the student run, online literary journal of Eastern Gateway Community College. The journal features literature and art from Ohio area community college students and provides great opportunities for EGCC students to assume editorial/managerial roles, as they work together reading, editing, and producing an annual literary journal. For further information, please contact the Head Faculty Advisor, Ralph Pennel, at rpennel@egcc.edu, or visit our website, www.oaktreejournal.com

Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa is an international honor society of two-year colleges. Its purpose is to promote scholarship, leadership, fellowship, and service among qualified students. To join, a full- or part-time student must maintain a GPA of 3.55 or higher and accumulate at least 12 credit hours toward transfer or an associate degree. The Alpha Omicron Nu Chapter of EGCC was chartered in 1989. Membership is by invitation only and is open to students across all EGCC locations and online.

Mentor Program: More Details

For more information, please contact Karen Spindler, chapter advisor, at kspindler@egcc.edu or (740) 266-9664

Learn More

Rotaract Club

Rotaract brings together college students who want to make a difference. Members take action through service to address community needs and improve the city in which they live. Rotaractors exchange ideas with leaders in the community, network with area professionals, develop leadership and professional skills, and have fun through service. If the idea of community service mixed with a good social life appeals to you, the new EGCC Rotaract Club is for you! Please contact Ron Fasano (rfasano@egcc.edu) for more information.

Student Ambassador Program

Student leaders have a critical role to play in the effective operation of a number of aspects of the higher education space. Within the realm of Student Affairs, students are an important and valued part of the community and support services we provide. Student leaders can offer peer support to classmates, assist with events and activities, provide feedback to the institution, and act as a liaison between students and administration. Student Ambassadors from Eastern Gateway Community College will be able to meet all of those expectations.

The students’ personal growth and development as leaders in their college community will not only allow them to thrive as students here at EGCC, but foster their continued success in their future endeavors, whether in the classroom after transferring to a 4-year institution, or in the workplace after attaining an associate’s degree. These student leaders will also help represent the college within the community. They will be able to present themselves in a professional manner to businesses, and volunteer agencies, community organizations, and beyond.

Having successfully completed the program, students will be known as leaders on campus who can serve as ambassadors on campus and within the community. In their last semester at EGCC, students will receive an honors cord and recognition at the Honors Convocation prior to Spring Commencement. Interested students must complete an application, which includes a short essay, and also requires a letter of recommendation from a faculty or staff member. They have completed at least one full 16-week semester at EGCC, hold at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA, and be enrolled for six or more credit hours. Contact atwyford@egcc.edu to learn more about this program.

Student Government Association

In order to enhance college student life and academic merit, the Student Government Association (SGA) represents the student body in matters that are of concern to them and serves as a liaison between the students, faculty, staff, and the administration. They also:

promote and assist in the integration and coordination of all clubs and organizations
foster the development of student morale and leadership
educate all members of the campus community of their rights and responsibilities
serve as a forum for the expression of student views and interests

Members of the SGA, known as Student Senators, will be actively involved in sponsoring a variety of co-curricular activities and events. Elections to the SGA take place annually in the spring; representatives will be recruited from the Steubenville Campus, the Youngstown Campus, our online community, and College Credit Plus. The SGA is advised by the Director of Student Activities. Reach out to sga@egcc.edu with any questions or concerns you may have.

Learn More

Writing Circle

Students who wish to start or refine a personal, non-academic writing project can join the EGCC Writing Circle for encouragement and support. Students from all majors are welcome to join.

Contact the Writing Circle’s advisor, Ashley Ferguson aferguson@egcc.edu, with any questions.

Creating a Student Group

At EGCC, we encourage you to find and create your community, wherever you call home. Our student groups can be in person on campus, or virtual! To begin the process, there are a number of steps to take to make sure you are set up for success. You can find those using the button below.

Student Group Checklist

Anti-Hazing Training

Student groups and clubs are an important part of the college experience, and at Eastern Gateway, our students come together from all parts of the country to create a community among themselves based on their achievements, their interests, and their identities. However, it is important that these communities provide a safe and welcoming environment for all involved. Collin’s Law, also known as the Ohio Anti-Hazing Act, mandates that students, employees, and advisors who participate in student groups and organizations complete a brief (15-20 minute) online training module to educate you on hazing awareness and prevention.

Link to Training