Finding one's place at Auburn doesn’t always happen overnight. For many students, getting involved is a journey that starts with curiosity and navigating different opportunities, eventually leading to connection, growth and community.
The path to involvement begins at Auburn University’s Office of Student Involvement, which plays a key role in helping students take those first steps.
AU Student Involvement has six branches of involvement: governance, leadership, media, programming, service and all other organizations. "All other organizations" refers to the more than 550 student-led organizations, including academic, cultural, service, Greek, religious and special interest groups.
The Involvement Ambassadors, a student-led organization, supports students in their involvement journey by connecting them with shared experiences and providing resources. The group focuses on helping students explore a wide range of involvement opportunities at Auburn.
Involvement Ambassadors President Gabriela Comulada understands the challenges students face when deciding where to get involved. Her team is dedicated to guiding students through the process of exploring the 600-plus organizations at Auburn, helping them discover the best fit for their interests and goals.
“We're here to help students find their path. We offer one-on-one consultations to sit down, help them narrow down the organizations and give them the support they need to get involved,” Comulada said.
As students explore the numerous opportunities on campus, Comulada quoted advice from Brad Smith, the director of student involvement.
“You should join two organizations — one for your major, [one for] your career path and one for fun, or just to meet new people,” Comulada said. “I call it the Brad Smith quote.”
More than 60% of Auburn University students are involved in at least one campus organization. Students who are involved on campus maintain an average GPA of 3.36, outperforming the overall campus average of 3.22.
For many students, the idea of getting involved on campus can be intimidating. Nathan Foster, head orientation counselor at Auburn University, knows this feeling all too well.
Having grown up in Auburn, he was determined to step outside his comfort zone when he arrived at college, seeking to meet people from diverse backgrounds.
Foster emphasized the importance of getting involved in campus organizations as a way to not only expand one’s social circle, but also open doors to future opportunities.
“It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, and not everyone wants to get involved,” Foster said. “But putting yourself out there and joining different groups, meeting new people, opens up so many doors for personal growth, relationships and future career opportunities.”
Getting involved might look different for everyone, but for students like Comulada and Foster, the message is the same: stepping outside one's comfort zone can lead to lasting friendships, unexpected opportunities and a more meaningful college experience.
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