Student Organizations

Autism Speaks

Best Buddies

Best Buddies enhances the lives of persons with disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships between college students and their peers with disabilities in the community.  Monthly meetings bring Best Buddies together on campus for group activities.  Also, individual participants in Best Buddies share time on a weekly basis.  Organizational meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month.
Faculty Advisor:  Tara Kaczorowski, Student Contact: Anya Naumovski

Student Ending Mental Illness Stigmas (SEMIS)

SEMIS stands for Students Ending Mental Illness Stigmas. This student organization aims to spread awareness about mental illness, end the negative connotations associated with them, and educate others about inappropriate comments to avoid and proper support to provide.
Faculty Advisor: Charles Titus Boudreaux, Student Contact: Rosemary O'Shea

Students Supporting Individuals with Disabilities (SSID)

SSID provides service-based activities to support individuals with disabilities.  Unlike other student organizations, SSID is not affiliated with state or national chapters, but began as a grassroots organization born from an interest in supporting individuals with disabilities within the Bloomington-Normal communities.  Meetings are on the first Wednesday of the month.  There are currently no fees for joining SSID.
Faculty Advisor: Yun-Ching Chung, Student Contact: Mackenzie Mews

Student Disability Network (SDN)

Student Disability Network's mission is to unite students at the intersection of ability by creating a space for open conversation about the lived experiences of those affected by disability. SDN is open to those who live with disabilities as well as their allies. Meetings are every other Wednesday evening.
Faculty Advisor:  Zach Mcdowell Student Contact: Alexander Ostojic

Deaf Redbirds Association

DRA provides opportunities to learn about communication, educational options, and life experiences of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.  Members enjoy social events and monthly speakers.  Sign language practice is offered each month.  Meetings or sign language practice sessions are held every other Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. in DeGarmo Hall.
Faculty Advisor: Molly Turner and Student Contact: Mollie May, General Inquiries

Braille Birds

Braille Birds advocates for, and provides community services, that facilitate the integration of individuals with visual impairments at Illinois State University, in the local community, and throughout Illinois.  Membership is open to anyone interested in braille or the field of visual impairments.  Meetings are every other Wednesday (except during finals and university breaks).
Faculty advisor: Mindy Ely and Lisa Tabaka, Student Contact: Morgan Cunningham

Apples to Sabers

The ultimate goal of Apples to Sabers is to better prepare teacher candidates for 21st century teaching. We do this by challenging conventional ideas through conversation, enhancing teacher preparation curriculum, and increasing outreach into the global education community. The meetings are forum style or discussion-based with the purpose of expanding knowledge, questioning uncertainties, and exploring teaching methodologies.
Faculty Advisor: Jay Percell, Student Contact: TBA

College Mentors for Kids

Founded in 2004 at Illinois State, our chapter of College Mentors for Kids has made it our goal to inspire the youth within the Bloomington-Normal community. Our mentors are dedicated to helping their "little buddies" learn and grow through hands-on, fun activities directed toward three categories: Higher Education, Culture & Diversity, and Community Service.
Faculty Advisor: Erin Thomas, Student Contact: Allison Isom

Educators Rising (EdRising)

Educators Rising provides students with opportunities to explore careers in education, as well as contribute to the growth of the community through volunteerism. With meetings and events, we strive to provide members with as many tools and experiences that are available in order to enhance their growth as a future educator. Open to PK-secondary majors.
Faculty Advisor: Jay Percell, Student Contact: Noelle Lowther or Weronika Trzaska.

Future Educators of Color (FEC)

The purpose of this organization is to provide a safe space for the unique social and emotional challenges related to being a Person of Color within a predominantly White institution. This RSO is intended to foster community within the College of Education, create a network for individuals interested in this topic through various events and platforms, and to share resources and opportunities to support educational and professional endeavors. This RSO is open to all University students.
Faculty Advisor: Alice Lee, Student Contact: Natajia Stampley.

Golden Apple

Golden Apple ISU is a group based out of the Golden Apple  Scholars of Illinois Program. The scholars that attend Illinois State  University join together between our Summer Institutes and during the school year in order to provide service to our local community, succeed in our  educational goals through mentoring each other and working together, and  enhance the scholars in our organization to be the best teachers in the state for our future students.
Faculty Advisor: Barb Meyer, Student Contact: Lizzie Hardt or Katie Kibler.

Kappa Delta Epsilon (KDE)

A national education fraternity that requires a 3.0 GPA for honorary membership. KDE promotes the cause of education by fostering a spirit of fellowship, high standards of scholastic attainment, and professional ideals among its members. Illinois State was one of the founding chapters in 1933. 
Faculty Advisor: Allison Meyer, Student Contact: Jenna D'adam

Kappa Delta Pi/Mu Chapter (KDP)

An international honorary society in education. Membership in Mu chapter is open to undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty members, and other professional educators without regard to race, age, color, religion, gender, or disability, dependent upon fulfillment of certain qualifications. Illinois State's KDP was the twelfth chapter to be established by Professor Schroeder (Schroeder Hall is named after him) and Stella Henderson (each spring a monetary award is given in her honor to an education major) on March 4, 1922. 
Faculty Advisor: Barb Meyer, Student Contact: Paige Mcintyre

National Art Education Association (NAEA)

A strong pre-professional organization with members dedicated to Art Education. We seek to create professional, local, and national connections that help art become a dominant subject in modern education. 
Faculty Advisor: Wayne Beckner, Student Contact: John Esparza

Student Education Association (SEA)

An association allowing prospective educators to develop an understanding of the education profession. It provides for a united student voice in matters affecting their profession. It aims to influence the conditions under which prospective educators are prepared and to advance the interest and welfare of students preparing for careers in education.
Faculty Advisor: Dana Karraker, Student Contact: Abbey Testin

Urban Needs in Teacher Education (UNITE)

Offers students opportunities to learn about urban education through hands-on experience and introductions to education's most influential professionals. 
Faculty Advisor: Maria Luisa Zamudio, Student Contact: Erin McGovern and Hannah Freese. General Inquiries

Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)

A professional organization for those involved in the education of children from infancy through early adolescence. Members of ASCD share a dual commitment to the fulfillment of every child's potential and to the professional development of the classroom teacher. Open to all students interested in children from infancy through early adolescence.
Faculty Advisor:  Alan Bates and Jill Donnel, Student Contact: Steven Panicko

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

An organization dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children, with particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental services for all young children, birth through age 8. Membership is open to all individuals who share a desire to serve and act on behalf of the needs and rights of all young children.
Faculty Advisor: Miranda Lin, Student Contact: Breanna Graf

Collegiate Middle Level Association (CMLA)

The Collegiate Middle Level Association (CMLA) is a professional organization for all Middle Level Teacher Education majors or those interested in the education of young adolescents. This association offers members a chance to interact with others interested in Middle Level Education on both a professional and social level, as well as hearing guest speakers who deal with current topics concerning future middle level educators. 
Faculty Advisor: Kristina Falbe, Student Contact: Brooke Jensen, General Inquiries 

Student Association for Bilingual Education (SABE)

An association providing dual language teacher education students with a social and academic student organization that will provide understanding of the bilingual educator and a sounding board in matters affecting their profession.
Faculty Advisors: Pauline Williams and Maria Zamudio, Student Contact: Erika Jimenez