Student organizations are more than just extracurricular activities – they’re vital components of student success and community building. Especially at The Ohio State University’s Mansfield campus. From traditional academic clubs to student-created new groups, these organizations provide students with opportunities for leadership, social connection and personal development.
“Classes are great, but you want to also have a sense of community, a sense of involvement,” Jessica Latrell, advisor for the Black Student Union and Social Work Club, said.
“That is what keeps students coming back each semester – the engagement and involvement.”
The campus offers a diverse range of clubs catering to all sorts of interests. The website’s student organizations page reads: If you see an organization that matches your interest, please reach out to the contact person to join. If you do not see an organization that matches your interest, you are welcome to start your own!
David Miller, who oversees student life, the student union and the rec center explains how simple it really is to start a club.
“At all orientations, students hear that if they have any interest in starting a club, they can find either me or another staff member,” Miller said.
The process involves organizing an interest meeting, finding an advisor and completing a simple online form. Miller has seen a significant increase in students participating in activities this year, crediting the variety of clubs available.
The university has observed an uptick in participation in the post-COVID era, where student organizations have helped address issues of isolation. The variety of clubs provides safe spaces for all students to find their niche and connect with peers who share their interests.
Recent additions include a dance team, a board game club, cleverly named “Board to Death,” and a video game club, demonstrating the institution’s commitment to supporting student-driven initiatives.
The Outdoor Adventure Club, led by professor Dr. Ozeas Costa, fosters appreciation for the world around us. Together, the club organizes various activities like hiking and biking across various local and state trails, kayaking and canoeing, some expeditions longer than others. The club teaches participants how to interact with the natural world in a responsible and conscientious way.
For student leaders, these organizations provide valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth, and for a lot of students, their first time in a leadership position.
“I definitely learned that being a leader is something that I could come back to again,” Jessica Owusu, president of the Black Student Union and the upcoming dance team said. “When I knew I was going to be the new leader of the dance team, I didn’t think I would be able to step up to what expectations it had. But going through it and seeing how it was this semester – it was hard, but at the same time, I still made some things work.”
Makena Northcut, Buckeye Ambassador, gives some credit to the smaller campus environment for its role in fostering participation.
“I think it’s less intimidating to be a part of things. We’re more of a community – we’re familiar with each other for the most part,” Northcut said.
Student organizations at Ohio State Mansfield maintain active social media presences, with many clubs operating their own Instagram accounts to share events and activities. The campus is also working on centralizing its social media presence to better promote student life and engagement opportunities. The success of these organizations is bolstered by strong faculty support.
“We find different faculty on campus that we feel comfortable with too. They believe in us,” Costa said.
From outdoor adventures to cultural celebrations, academic pursuits to recreational activities, Ohio StateMansfield’s student organizations continue to enrich campus life while preparing students for future success through hands-on leadership experience and community engagement.
For more information on the clubs themselves, visit the Student Organizations web page.
