Guilford’s first student engagement fair, held on Wednesday, Sept. 10, gave students the chance to explore ways to get involved on and off campus. Featuring numerous clubs, organizations, job opportunities, internships, religious groups, and volunteer activities, the event aimed to provide each student with an opportunity to find a group that best fits their interests.
Among the various religious organizations at the fair were the Beth David Synagogue, New Garden Friends Meeting, and Cru.
Cheryl Kersky, a member of the Beth David Board of Trustees, said Guilford students are welcome to take part in holiday events and attend the synagogue’s weekly services held on Saturdays.
Similarly, Janet MacKenzie from New Garden Friends Meeting said that students are welcome to attend Friends’ meetings on Sundays and get involved with ECAR (Every Campus a Refuge). This organization has partnered with Guilford College and New Garden Friends to support newly-settled refugees in the greater Greensboro area.
Also appealing to faith-driven students, Cru is a Christian campus organization that hosts regular Bible study meetings and events such as game nights primarily at Founder’s Hall, according to Cru advisor Dan Kirby.
Along with the ability to immerse themselves in various religious groups, Guilford students also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a wide array of cultures.
Erick Trejo, president of Hispanos Unidos de Guilford (HUG), said HUG provides students with an opportunity to delve deeper into Hispanic culture through cultural discussions, regular meetings, planned events, and games. The club, while catering primarily to Hispanic students, is “open to all students” who want to learn more about Hispanic culture, according to Trejo.
Providing similarly valuable cultural enrichment, the African Caribbean Student Association (ACSA) aims “to educate communities about diverse cultures” (particularly African and Caribbean cultures), according to ACSA president Jah Vivens. While educating the community about diverse cultures, the club also hosts an array of social events, including game nights, a December potluck, modeling shows, hide-and-seek, and even karaoke.
In addition to cultural enrichment, Guilford offers students ways to get involved through athletics.
The women’s rugby team is looking to “recruit student-athletes whenever possible” and provides female students with an opportunity to be a part of a close-knit team, according to member Aspen Wineburg. Students interested but unable to join the team can also follow the team on their social media sites and on Guilford’s women’s rugby website.
Another notable sports club is Biohazard Ultimate Frisbee, which, according to member Dakota Cannada, welcomes all interested Guilford students to join the club. The club aims to hold practice three times a week and has set the goal of attending at least one competition per semester.
While women’s rugby and Biohazard Ultimate Frisbee provide valuable opportunities for students to become engaged in on-campus athletics, the Greensboro Gargoyles provide a unique off-campus athletic opportunity. The team serves as Greensboro’s only ice hockey team, providing students with the rare chance to join the team or attend regular games (beginning on Oct. 18 at First Horizon Coliseum), according to member Ainsley Cromer.
In addition to dedicating their time to athletics, students are encouraged to take part in the various volunteer initiatives throughout campus—ranging from taking time to walk shelter dogs to assisting newly-settled refugees throughout Greensboro.
According to club member Aprilia Grimalda, Reaching Out for Animal Rights (ROAR) is an on-campus organization working directly with the Greensboro ASPCA to bring shelter dogs onto campus for students to walk them, help socialize them, and create Instagram and Facebook posts for them to help in the adoption process.
Aligning with the Quaker emphasis on community, Guilford ECAR and the New Arrivals Institute provide volunteer opportunities for students seeking to help Greensboro refugee families.
Founded by Guilford professor Diya Abdu, Every Campus A Refuge (ECAR) is a refugee aid organization supporting nearly 20 college campuses across the nation. According to the ECAR website, volunteers with the organization provide refugees with “free housing, utilities, and access to college facilities, as well as a warm and welcoming community.” ECAR also provides an “unparalleled educational experience” for students, helping them to gain “firsthand knowledge of global issues like the refugee crisis and forced displacement.”
Laura Du Bois of the New Arrivals Institute said her group shares a similar goal of aiding the refugee population by matching youth mentors/volunteers to refugees to help them with anything from getting settled in the United States to getting into college and starting a career. According to the New Arrivals website, students can also intern with the organization by taking part in various tutoring and teaching initiatives, designing and building a community garden, organizing fundraisers, and more.
Through these opportunities, Guilford students can explore their interests while also making a difference in their own community.
