Clubs and organizations on campus play a massive part in Iona’s culture. Clubs are just getting back in the swing of things, so now is the best time to join!

Iona offers a wide array of organizations to get involved in, including academic clubs, club sports, multicultural groups, media groups, performing arts groups, Greek life and general interest clubs. The Student Government Association has a hand in all club affairs and gives students insight at how the school functions.

“Clubs are the best way to get involved and get to know people with common interests,” junior Meghan Wright, vice president for Internal Affairs in SGA, said. “Don’t be afraid to try a new club because you may find that you really like it.”

All clubs host events throughout the semester, working to improve and contribute to the Iona community and beyond. Each club also participates in at least three community service events throughout the year, as required by SGA.

Academic clubs allow you to meet people in your major and learn more about your professional interests. The academic clubs at Iona encompass most majors, including the Accounting Club, Criminal Justice Club, Iona College Speech and Hearing Club, Social Work Club and many more! If you are interested in joining a club focused on your major, talk to your department head about who to contact, or check online on the Student Experience and Activities page on Iona’s website.

Iona’s general interest groups cover a variety of different topics. General interest clubs include College Against Cancer, Democracy Matters, Commuter Student Association, Fashion Club, IC Green and many more. Senior Rebecca Lundgren, president of Colleges Against Cancer, believes that general members are very important to clubs like CAC.

“In my opinion, members of Colleges Against Cancer make most of the big decisions about what we do,” Lundgren said. “They are the ones who get to say their opinions and then we, the [executive] board, try to work off of that.”

Iona also has a diverse range of multicultural groups on campus, including Albanian American Society, the Black Student Union, Gaelic Society, Gael Pride, OLAS, Iona International Club and the Hellenic Society. If one of these groups’ interests applies to you, don’t be afraid to reach out and connect with others on campus!

You don’t have to be a Mass Communications major to get involved with the student-run media clubs on campus. Head down to WICR to try your hand at radio or check out ICTV—the school’s television station—to see if you have that on-camera presence. You can also try ICANN—the yearbook club—to help commemorate the school year or The Ionian if you want to practice your writing skills.

Performing arts opportunities are also available on campus if you’re craving an artistic outlet. The Iona Players—the student-run theater group on campus—puts on shows throughout the year and the Iona Singers give performances at events and concerts. The Iona College Pipe Band is another performing group that can be seen at various events throughout the year.

In regards to Greek life, there are currently five sororities on campus—Delta Theta Beta, Gamma Lambda Rho, Phi Gamma Chi, Phi Sigma Sigma and Psi Kappa Theta. Iona also has three fraternities active on campus—Delta Upsilon, Pi Kappa Phi and Zeta Kappa Chi. If you’re interested in these organizations and you’re a sophomore or above, considering rushing for Greek life this semester. For first-year students, rushing will have to wait until your second semester this year!

Junior Madeline Ronga, the service chair for the Council for Greek Governance, believes students can benefit from joining Greek life.

“It is a great way to branch out, meet new people, and do good for the community,” Ronga said.

Iona also has club sports, including cheerleading, Gael Dancers—the dance team—and rugby. If you want to participate in a sport but you are not a part of an official team, the Iona Athletics department makes intramural sports available to those interested.

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there this semester and check out everything Iona has to offer! If you would like to learn more about any of the organizations Iona has to offer, almost every club has their own webpage that is linked to the Clubs and Organizations page on the Iona website.