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Students posing together at a Best Buddies RSO booth at an event.

Student Life

Get involved with teacher education on campus and explore how you can enhance your experience.

Back to school

Back to School Kickoff

Connect with education-based Registered Student Organizations (RSOs), faculty, and other education students for a back-to-school celebration on September 4, 2024.

College of Education Opportunities

University Opportunities

Registered Student Organizations (RSOs)

Our clubs and organizations help you develop your leadership skills, meet new friends, and make lasting memories.

Academic and Professional Organizations

Go beyond the classroom. Joining an academic/professional organization helps you develop your skills and gives you opportunities to network with peers and colleagues who share your interests.

Braille Birds Logo

Braille Birds

Provides community services, that facilitate the integration of individuals with visual impairments at Illinois State University, in the local community, and throughout Illinois.

Natalie Shaheen
Faculty Advisor

Shannon Drabeck
Student Contact

Collegiate Middle Level Association (CMLA) Logo

Collegiate Middle Level Association (CMLA)

Offers members a chance to interact with others on professional and social levels.

Kristina Falbe
Faculty Advisor

Ellyn Lenschow
Student Contact

Redbird Sign Language Association  Logo

Redbird Sign Language Association

Opportunities to learn about communication, educational options, and life experiences of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Stephanie Lipe
Faculty Advisor

Carlos Castro
Student Contact

Educators Rising Logo

Educators Rising

Opportunities to explore careers in education, as well as contribute to the growth of the community through volunteerism.

Jay Percell
Faculty Advisor

Paige Griffith, Abbie Rausch
Student Contact

Golden Apple

Golden Apple

Members provide service to our local community and mentor one another to be the best teachers.

Barb Meyer
Faculty Advisor

Shannan Showan
Student Contact

Kappa Delta Epsilon (KDE) Logo

Kappa Delta Epsilon (KDE)

Promotes the cause of education by fostering a spirit of fellowship, high standards of scholastic attainment, and professional ideals among its members.

Erin Quast
Faculty Advisor

Rachael Bross
Student Contact

KDE President
General Enquiries

Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) Logo

Kappa Delta Pi (KDP)

Membership is open to undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty members, and other professional educators.

Barb Meyer
Faculty Advisor

Mia Salerno, Callie Yoder
Student Contact

National Art Education Association (NAEA) Logo

National Art Education Association (NAEA)

A strong pre-professional organization dedicated to Art Education. Visit the NAEA website to learn more.

Miranda Lin
Faculty Advisor

Cassie Hawkins, Kati Fuchs
Student Contact

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Logo

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

An organization dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children.

Miranda Lin
Faculty Advisor

Grace McNulty
Student Contact

Student Association for Bilingual Education (SABE) Logo

Student Association for Bilingual Education (SABE)

SABE is a social and academic student organization for dual language teacher education students.

Evelyn Baca and Vivian Presiado
Faculty Advisor

Xiomara Vargas
Student Contact

Aspiring Educators Association Logo

Aspiring Educators Association

Helps prospective educators to develop an understanding of the education profession. It provides for a united student voice in matters affecting the profession.

Dana Karraker
Faculty Advisor

Meghan Gaither
Student Contact

Aspiring Educators Association
General Enquiries

Redbird head.

Student Affairs Graduate Association (ISU SAGA)

SAGA offers professional development, social opportunities, and community support for CSPA program students, including orientation programs, events, and professional development workshops.

Diversity and Advocacy Organizations

Diversity is a core value at Illinois State and we value the perspectives and experiences students bring to the College of Education. Our Diversity and Advocacy organizations promote awareness on a variety of topics and inclusivity of all people.

Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks

Autism Speaks is geared towards raising money for autism awareness on campus. Members also volunteer within the autism community in Bloomington-Normal.

Nikki Michalak
Faculty Advisor

Samantha Sarullo
Student Contact

Future Educators of Color (FEC)

Future Educators of Color (FEC)

Provides a safe space for the unique social and emotional challenges related to being a Person of Color within a predominantly white institution.

Jennifer Brooks, Xiaoying Zhao, and Dakesa Piña
Faculty Advisor

Myah White
Student Contact

Queer Ed Birds (QEB) Logo

Queer Ed Birds (QEB)

Aims to support LGBTQ+ students who plan to work in and/or near the area of education as well as educate other students about LGBTQ+ issues, race, gender and all intersecting identities, and the interlocking nature of discrimination.

Melissa Gibbs
Student Contact

Student Disability Network (SDN)

Student Disability Network (SDN)

Unites students at the intersection of ability by creating a space for open conversation about the lived experiences of those affected by disability.

Brandi Carrier
Student Contact

SDN Facebook Page

Students Ending Mental Illness Stigmas (SEMIS)

Students Ending Mental Illness Stigmas (SEMIS)

Strives to raise awareness about mental illness and other mental health issues.

Suejung Han
Faculty Advisor

Nadia Smith
Student Contact

SEMIS Instagram Page

Service Organizations

Our service organizations are dedicated to making an impact on people and the community.

Best Buddies

Best Buddies

Opportunities for friendships between college students and their peers with disabilities.

Antonio Causarano
Faculty Advisor

Ella Pittman
Student Contact

Best Buddies
General Enquiries

College Mentors for Kids

College Mentors for Kids

College Mentors for kids inspires youth in the Bloomington-Normal community.

Erin Thomas
Faculty Advisor

Paige Griffith
Student Contact

Students Supporting Individuals with Disabilities (SSID)

Students Supporting Individuals with Disabilities (SSID)

SSID provides service-based activities to support individuals with disabilities.

Yun-Ching Chung
Faculty Advisor

Jaimee Beyer
Student Contact

SSID
General Enquiries

Special Olympics Logo

Special Olympics

Opportunity to engage with individuals with disabilities in a range of activities aimed at promoting inclusivity and supporting individuals with disabilities.

Deborah Garrahy
Faculty Advisor

Keely Grasse
Student Contact