A Texan’s Guide To Getting Involved

It’s no secret that getting involved on campus is the BEST way to network and forge a bond with like minded individuals. 

With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to pinpoint exactly where to start when it comes to joining a club or organization.  

Whether you’re looking to stack up some volunteer hours, join a sister/brotherhood, gain employability skills, strengthen your personal and spiritual development or simply have fun, Tarleton State has no shortage of organizations to explore.

FOR VOLUNTEERING:

For students looking to make an impact on and off campus, Tarleton RoundUp and Service Day are the ideal organizations. 

These annual events allow staff and students the opportunity to lend a helping hand, or green thumb, to residents and small businesses in Stephenville. Students will work alongside their peers and foster relationships with members of the community as they beautify the city.

Both organizations focus on Texans helping Texans whether that means raking leaves, cleaning gutters, assisting at the Erath County Humane Society or even planting flowers on the Tarleton State Stephenville campus! 

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Follow @tarletonroundup on Instagram or reach out to [email protected] for more information about how to get involved!

For more information about Service Day, visit Texan Sync.

FOR SISTERHOOD/BROTHERHOOD:

If you’re searching for a family-based sense of belonging, Tarleton State’s Center for Leadership, Services and Outreach, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life oversees 19 affiliated organizations. These organizations are housed under three councils: InterFraternity, InterGreek and Panhellenic.

A few of the commonly known Greek organizations include Alpha Gamma Rho, Delta Chi, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated, Delta Zeta and Phi Mu.

Whether you’re a legacy pledge or a newcomer, going Greek can improve your network of professional contacts as well as your pool of lifelong friends.

FOR EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS:

Although getting involved on campus is a great way to form bonds with your peers, one of the strongest selling points is the ability to strengthen your professional development skills.

Joining organizations that reflect the work you hope to do in the future is a great way to test the waters and find what career path(s) would work best for you.

If you plan to make a big difference in a small child’s life, joining the Tarleton Texas Association of Future Educators is a step in the right direction. The organization’s goal is to help its members familiarize themselves with the profession, opportunities and responsibilities that come with being an educator. With fees as low as $25 per member, this organization allows its members to grow without risk of breaking the bank. For more information about how to become a member of the Tarleton Texas Association of Future Educators, visit Texan Sync. 

If music and podcast production is in your future, becoming a radio personality at 100.7 The Planet is the way to tap into your talents. The Planet was established in 2004 where it served as the key source for the hottest rock and hip-hop hits. Now, 20 years later, it continues to serve the community and student body at a wider range. Between the daily broadcasts, podcasts and social media activations, 100.7 The Planet is the best place to learn more about audio production. For more information, reach out to Lance McFarlin at [email protected].

For the students whose goals include working in public relations, communications or broadcasting, the Public Relations Student Society of America at Tarleton State (PRSSA) is one of the most active clubs to join. The annual $55 fee not only gains you access to the organization but it opens the door to a multitude of job and networking opportunities that students typically do not have access to until they are post-grad. Led by Liza Benedict, the PRSSA focuses on honing the crafts of its members, broadening their communication skills and introducing them to the various careers in public relations. For students interested in marketing careers, attending a weekly PRSSA meeting could make a HUGE difference. For more information about how to join, follow the PRSSA on Instagram @tsuprssa or reach out to Liza Benedict at [email protected]. Students interested in learning more about PRSSA at Tarleton State may also reach out to current president, Kaley Leatherwood at [email protected].

FOR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

The transition from high school to college can be tough to navigate. Clubs like BOLD and SGA allow students the space they need to learn more about themselves as well as provide students with the necessary tools to achieve greatness within and beyond the gates of Tarleton State.

BOLD is a woman-focused organization whose goal is to empower young women to become strong leaders by curating a safe space for growth and development. Led by MyLisa McCutchen-Mitchell ([email protected]), the organization’s president, BOLD focuses on advocacy for the underrepresented and encourages women to join weekly to learn more about becoming bold.

The Student Government Association, SGA, serves as the voice of the Tarleton State student body. Similarly to typical government processes, SGA is divided into three branches of government: judicial, executive and legislative. This group of students focuses on making decisions that will benefit the student body as a whole. Led by the Vice President of Student Engagement and Success, Dr. Diana Ortega-Feerick, the organization is focused on making Tarleton State better one student at a time!

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FOR SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT: 

Finding a safe space to practice one’s religious beliefs can be make or break for some students. At Tarleton State, students have no shortage of religion-based organizations like Paradigm, BSM, Timber Ridge, Delight Ministries and many more. For students looking to discover or strengthen their faith, visit @paradigmtsu, @tarletonbsm, @timberridgechurch or @delight_tarletonstate on Instagram! For more information about other religion-based groups on and off campus, visit https://texansync.tarleton.edu/organizations

FOR FUN:

Above all else, joining clubs should be a fun experience.

If your goal is to have fun and make the most of your four years on campus, becoming a Tarleton Transition Mentor (TTM) or a member of PANKUS (People Against Not Knowing University Spirit), is the way to go.

Tarleton Transition Mentors aid and assist students in events like Duck Camp. Contrary to popular belief, a TTM’s work does not stop after Duck Camp. They are known amongst the student body as Mama and Daddy Ducks and serve as continual mentors to Tarleton State Texans. Their overall goal is to help students transition from frightened freshmen to distinguished graduates. For updates and information about how to become a TTM, follow @duckcampweloveit on Instagram!

Much like TTMs, members of PANKUS are all about spreading Tarleton State spirit. Although the membership dues are $200 for new members and $125 for returners, there is no shortage of events that members can attend as they sport their purple and white striped overalls. Follow @pankustsu on Instagram or reach out to  [email protected] for more information about how to become a member!

For more information about the various clubs and organizations offered at Tarleton State, visit https://texansync.tarleton.edu/organizations.