Welcome–new and returning students–to both a fresh year and semester. In search for extracurriculars to fill your schedule, increase socialization or build upon academic reputation? Luckily, Parkland excels in providing a plentiful selection of scholarship, internship and friendship opportunities. Get to know all the active clubs for academic and social endeavors to find one suiting you.
Parkland Scholars
Survey Participant: Marsh Jones
Advisory Contact(s):
Marsh Jones – mjones@parkland.edu
As emphasized by Parkland Scholar Advisor, Marsh Jones, the Parkland Scholars works closely with the Honors Program. By coordinating with each other, they are able to help students achieve academic excellence, creative expression and to gain experience. There are no requirements, so any student is able to join and build their academic portfolio.
There are several activities and events hosted throughout each semester to gain experience, so here is what to expect from the Parkland Scholars and the Honors Program:
- Informational Orientation for the Honors Program.
- Race Talks are professor led and facilitated for students to constructively interact.
- The Honors Symposium is a convocation organized every spring for students to showcase their honors projects.
Through active participation via projects, activities and events, the Parkland Scholars can provide additional benefits to students such as Honors Program Study Abroad, a $200 Honors Project Scholarship, and graduate with $1000 alongside the Parkland Honors Program.
International Students Association
Survey Participant(s): N/A
Advisory Contact(s):
Amber Landis – alandis@parkland.edu
Oluwaseun Sodiji – osodiji@parkland.edu
According to an undisclosed writer for the International Students Association, their mission “…is designed to promote social and friendship opportunities to the international student community at Parkland College!” Contact the advisors for further inquiries and information.
Astronomy Club
Survey Participant(s): Eric S. Johnson
Advisory Contact Information:
Eric S. Johnson – ejohnson@parkland.edu
Gaze at the night sky with the astronomy club and surround yourself with like-minded individuals who enjoy the wonders of astronomy. There are no requirements except your interest–astronomy student or not–Eric Johnson provides information for all.
Here is what to expect throughout the semester:
- Informational Video Sessions that are astronomy related.
- Planetarium visits are expected for an immersive learning experience.
- Lunar Eclipse Sighting is to be visited and highly anticipated during March.
Engineering Club
Survey Participant(s): Jeremy Jang
Advisory Contact(s):
Jeremy Jang – jjang@parkland.edu
Robert Chamberlin – rchamberlain@parkland.edu
Let your imagination run wild with Parkland’s Engineering Club, as this grants the opportunity to build a project portfolio, experience teamwork and gain more insight from fellow engineers. There are currently no requirements to participate, so immerse yourself in the community if your interest is piqued.
According to Jeremy Jang, they added a hovercraft to the group’s portfolios by, “Design[ing] and craft[ing]ed a small hovercraft (~1.5 ft long) using basic parts (motor, battery pack, foam board, etc) and a few 3D printed parts (fan casing, gears, etc).”
Additionally, Jang describes a new project in the works and that they are,“…creating and programming a small remote controlled car that can go through and solve a maze.” Though there is a current project in process, Jang emphasizes that any joining members are free to contribute or concoct fresh ideas of their own.
Long term projects built in this workshop provide several benefactors and a plethora of experience.
Parkland Board Gamers
Survey Participant(s): Deane Geiken
Advisory Contact(s):
Deane Geiken – dgeiken@parkland.edu
Cora Geiken – cgeiken@parkland.edu
Kennedy Potempa – kpotempa@parkland.edu
Care to slay a dragon or two? Draw your sword, rediscover childhood treasures or make new memories. The Parkland Board Gamers are here to either stimulate intellect or calm the mind with a wide variety of games. From Dungeons and Dragons to Catan to Jackbox Games, they host plenty of events and include just about any game genre.
The Parkland Board Gamers have a lot in store each semester, so here are things to expect:
- Multi-Club Stress-Less Event is planned April 28, Monday 2-4 p.m. located in the D-Wing Lounge. The Parkland Board Gamers will host JackBox Party games, open board gaming, crafts and fidgets. Even offering pizza, snacks, and drinks to satiate more than one’s gaming needs. According to Geiken, their club will partner with the Psi Beta Psychology Club, Phi Theta Kappa, the Black Student Association, PRIDE, and Parkland Counseling.
- Planned Activities & Gaming are multi-club oriented and monthly.
- Club Meetings are meant for additional gaming and socialization.
Through participating in Parkland Board Gamers’ activities and events, there are endless opportunities to find connections in such a diverse pool. The multi-club events and partnerships with fellow clubs are the most beneficial to branch out both socially, academically and learn more about Parkland College’s campus.
Black Students Association
Survey Participant(s): N/A
Advisory Contact(s):
Kristen Stephens – kstephens@parkland.edu
Ashley Davis – amdavis@parkland.edu
According to an undisclosed writer for the Black Students Association, their mission “…serves as a liaison between students of African descent, the administration, and the campus population.” Contact the advisors for further inquiries and information.
Club Latino
Survey Participant(s): N/A
Advisory Contact(s):
Charles Larenas – clarenas@parkland.edu
Jessica Alvarez – jalvarez@parkland.edu
According to an undisclosed writer for the Club Latino, their mission “…is for those who want to serve the community, learn about hispanic and latino cultures, and have fun!” Contact the advisors for further inquiries and information.
Art & Design Club
Survey Participant(s): Denise Seif & Lisa Costello
Advisory Contact(s):
Denise Seif – dseif@parkland.edu
Lisa Costello – lcostello@parkland.edu
Immerse yourself in the imaginative, gain hands-on experience and design an artistic portfolio. The Art & Design Club grants you the opportunity to interact with fellow creatives and the Art & Design Program. Entry is a step to start flourishing your artistry today– no requirements needed for a membership.
Here are some activities and resources to expect from the Art & Design Club:
- Workshops & Technical Demonstrations to create projects and gain hands-on experience.
- Art Exhibition Trips such as the Giertz Gallery at Parkland
- Hosts to Visiting Artists to gain new perspectives and to network.
- Potluck for members during the Spring Semester.
According to the Art & Design Club Advisors, Denise Seif and Lisa Costello, previous workshops have included, “…Ceramics like Raku firing small sculptures, Shibori – a Japanese dyeing technique, printmaking, metalwork & jewelry, and bookmaking to name a few…”
So, contact the advisors if any of these opportunities pique your personal or academic interest.
Psi Beta Psychology Club
Survey Participant(s): Eleanor Klein
Advisory Contact(s):
Eleanor Klein – eklein6@stu.parkland.edu
Sarah Grison – sgrison@parkland.edu
Understand the inner workings of psychology with Psi Beta Psychology Club (PBPC). Engage in opportunities to grow your academic reputation with research, volunteer work, internships, and colleagues to make along the way.
PBPC encompasses two sectors into one club. While there are no requirements to join the Psychology Club, the Psi Beta is an honors society and requires a minimum 3.25 GPA, 12 completed credit hours, and an A to B range in a psychology course. The lifetime membership fee for Psi Beta is $55.
Here is PBPC’s activities and events overview for this semester:
- Monthly Meetings include presenting psychological research via discussions.
- Micro-sessions are for academic encouragement and socialization such as study strategies and project discussions.
- Socialization is held in the D-wing Lounge to do puzzles, board games, watch movies, the list is endless.
Through active participation in the Psi Beta Psychology Club there are plenty of horizons to gain experience, find internships, earn scholarships and meet new friends in a safe, accessible environment.
Parkland PRIDE!
Survey Participant(s): Thomas Peisker
Advisory Contact(s):
Thomas Peisker – tpeisker@parkland.edu
Somphon Penland – spenland@parkland.edu
Tanino Minneci – gminneci@parkland.edu
Parkland PRIDE is queer and here to provide a safe space for queer Parkland students and allies. If you are looking for LGBTQIA+ support and inclusivity this might be the club for you. Expand upon pride in sexuality and gender identity by free expression, open discussion and questions, or to create connections with others of similar background. There are no requirements to gain membership and open doors to all.
Here is what to expect this semester:
- Meetings are held at U106 on Friday at 1 p.m., and occasionally include lectures on queer history.
- Social functions include board, card and video games as well as opportunities to watch and discuss queer media with fellow members.
- Campus Pride Month is a campus wide event during April that PRIDE partakes and endorses. Check for more information here.
- Guest Speakers from Uniting Pride of Champaign County visit student meetings and discussions.
- Queer Events across Champaign County are announced to members and travel as groups.
- Champaign-Urbana Pride Fest is annually attended by the group. There is a parade and vendors from local shops.
These listings are only a handful of what PRIDE has in store. There are listless ways to build a support system with Parkland PRIDE heavily advocating for it.
Japanese Culture Club
Survey Participant(s): Travis Sola
Advisory Contact(s):
Travis Sola – tsola@parkland.edu
The Japanese Culture Club helps bring diverse learning to Parkland. As explained by Travis Sola, learning experiences are provided through language, food, history, traditional and contemporary arts and much more. The only requirement to join is to be a Parkland Student.
Here is what to expect this semester:
- Meetings are held Thursdays at 12 p.m. in D-105
- Cooking japanese foods in a collaborative environment.
- Language learning in a group-based environment.
- Japanese Media consumption.
- Traditional Arts are explored such as calligraphy, flower arrangement, and tea ceremonies. Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging) workshops have been previously provided by a member from Illinois Prairie Chapter of the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of America.
- Field Trips to places with Japanese culture for further immersion.
- Champaign-Urbana’s Anime & Comic Convention is held on March 1-2. Check for more information here.
According to Sola, there are additional experience and monetary benefits,“…Club leaders can also participate in leadership training through Student Life, and they can apply for scholarships.” Other benefits through participation is artistic expression through a different culture, comprehension of Japanese culture and to find others with similar interests.
Parkland College Aspiring Educators (PCAE)
Survey Participant(s): N/A
Advisory Contact(s):
Charles Larenas – clarenas@parkland.edu
Jessica Alvarez – jalvarez@parkland.edu
If you are a student interested in an education career or are interested in an education-oriented space. Contact the advisors for further inquiries and information.
Parkland Science Club
Survey Participant(s): N/A
Advisory Contact(s):
Azeem Ahmad – aahmad@parkland.edu
Amberle Browne – abrowne@parkland.edu
Chelsea Lloyd – clloyd@parkland.edu
The Parkland Science Club engages across all disciplines, so if you are looking for a science community in a safe space, contact the advisors for more information and see what opportunities they can bring you.
Rad Tech Club
Survey Participant(s): N/A
Advisory Contact(s):
Kerry Janesky – kjanesky@parkland.edu
The Rad Tech Club is here to help support radiology tech students via fundraising, community service and various projects and events. Join if interested to pitch in on supporting one and other! Contact the advisors for further inquiries and information.
Student American Dental Hygienists Association (SADHA)
Survey Participant(s): N/A
Advisory Contact(s):
Jammie Brooks – jbrooks@parkland.edu
Kristen Wall – Kwall@parkland.edu
Surround yourself with fellow dental hygienist students and aiding the community through dental work. Contact the advisors for further inquiries and information.
Student Nurses Association of Parkland (SNAP)
Survey Participant(s): N/A
Advisory Contact(s):
Chin-Yin Chou – cchou@parkland.edu
SNAP is a group of nursing students dedicated to expanding one’s social circle and gaining experience within the nursing community. Contact the advisors for further inquiries and information.
Student Sustainability Club
Survey Participant(s): N/A
Advisory Contact(s):
Stacie Young – SYoung@parkland.edu
According to an undisclosed writer for the Student Sustainability Club, their mission is “…promoting awareness and giving students [an] opportunity to get involved with sustainability!” Contact the advisors for further inquiries and information.
Student Veterans Association (SVAP)
Survey Participant(s): N/A
Advisory Contact(s):
Kristina Taylor – ktaylor@parkland.edu
Mingle with other student veterans, spread awareness and engage in community service. Contact the advisors for further inquiries and information.
Vet Tech Club
Survey Participant(s): N/A
Advisory Contact(s):
Megan Johnson – mejohnson@parkland.edu
Learn more about being a Veterinary Technician, promoting ethics and expanding on a professional path with a community. Contact the advisors for further inquiries and information.
Agriculture Club (Phi Alpha Chi)
Survey Participant(s): N/A
Advisory Contact(s):
Charlie Mitsdarfer – cmitsdarfer@parkland.edu
The Agriculture Club helps support and promote the interests of Parkland’s Agriculture programs. Contact the advisors for further inquiries and information.
Alpha Phi Omega
Survey Participant(s): N/A
Advisory Contact(s):
Jason Strutz – wjstrutz@parkland.edu
Brian Nudelman – bnudelman@parkland.edu
Alpha Phi Omega helps support and promote leadership skills, builds connections, and to better communities’ peace and inclusivity. Contact the advisors for further inquiries and information.
With extensive options ranging from different cultures, science and the arts; a community guaranteed to spark academic successes, find a sense of belonging, and blossom friendships and networks is sure to find you.
Special proceeding shoutouts to all the survey participants who contributed additional information. For unspecified meeting locations and further information contact club advisories or Parkland’s Student Life help desk.
Office: U111
Phone: 217-351-2492
Fax: 217-373-3835
Hours:
Monday-Friday
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
