9 Ways to Get Engaged at the University of Tennessee
Getting involved and engaged at the University of Tennessee is a great way to compliment your academic experience. Getting involved will allow you to gain leadership skills, get connected to the campus community, meet new people, and so much more! Below are 9 ways you can get engaged at UT!
While, not an exhaustive list, these are great ways to get involved at UT!
Join (or start) a Student Organization
With over 500 student organizations, there is an opportunity for everyone to get connected! Browse student organizations on VOLink! If you can’t find something you are interested in, it is easy to start a new organization. Look out for the Student Engagement Fair taking place on August 20, 2021 on Pedestrian Walkway, starting at 6:00 pm!
Attend Campus Events hosted by the CSE Student Programming Team
The Center for Student Engagement provides a variety of events that engage students and fosters a welcoming campus culture at UT. From comedians to concerts, game nights to fine art, the center enhances the campus community and provides an outlet for students to meet one another, form connections, and explore new interests.
Some annual events the center hosts are the Welcome Back Bash, Rocky Horror Picture Show, and an Earth Day festival. The center also hosts Volapalooza, an end-of-the-year celebration featuring Party in the Park and a headliner concert, and Make It & Take It events where students make items like candles, pennants, tote bags, and others.
Every Volunteer can attend every event, as there is something for everyone! And students interested in helping plan events on campus can get involved with the Student Programming Team through the Center for Student Engagement. Follow @UTKCSE on Instagram for more information and watch for the Student Programming Team interest form to be shared at the start of the academic year.
Join a pre-professional or academic student organization
Many professional organizations have student chapters and many academic majors have a student organization connected to the major/academic program. Pre-professional or academic student organizations are a great way to build a network, engage with research in the field, and meet mentors.
Look for opportunities to serve the Knoxville community
Service is a part of being a Tennessee Volunteer. The Jones Center for Leadership and Service strives to provide students with ample opportunities to give back to the community. Visit the Jones Center for Leadership and Service to find upcoming service opportunities through the Sign-Up to Serve Calendar or to track your service hours.
Participate in the Homecoming Competition Events or Homecoming Events
Homecoming is a great time for alumni to reconnect to the campus and reunite with old friends. It is also a great time for current students to celebrate what makes the university truly unique and outstanding.
Join a Sport Club
Sport Clubs provide the perfect venue and resources for a wide variety of student led clubs. Sport Club members participate in competitive, recreational, and instructional activities, and their experiences range from competitive team play and national travel to casual involvement and outdoor adventures.
Clubs provide students with lifelong friends, a healthy lifestyle, and opportunities for leadership and personal development.
Join a fraternity or sorority
Membership in a fraternity or sorority offers students a unique opportunity to have a balanced college life with a focus on academic excellence, brotherhood/sisterhood, leadership development, service, and responsible social interaction. Membership also offers students the opportunity to make lasting friendships with individuals with similar ideals and common purposes. Learn more about how to join a social Greek organization!
Check out VOLink to find Campus Events and Student Organizations!
VOLink is a resource for all students to enrich their involvement experience at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Take some time to familiarize yourself with VOLink – simply click here and sign-in using your NETID and password.
On VOLink, there are tools available to track your involvement in organizations, search for clubs and organizations, match your interests with existing organizations on campus, or start a new group on campus!
Find more ways to get involved on campus with the CSE Student Engagement Ambassadors!
Student Engagement Ambassadors are student office representatives who aim to enhance student organization support and engage the campus community through organization development, communication and outreach. This role aids in developing professionals through critical thinking, teamwork, professionalism, leadership, self-development and more! Through the management of communication channels between organizations, collaboration on programs and initiatives, and facilitation of development programs for organization leaders, The SEAs work to provide resources and support that shape involvement at the University of Tennessee.