FEATURE
Student Clubs and Organizations Inspire Meaning, Growth and Friendship
By Rhoda Shapiro
When Keana Pineda, ’24 Biology, was a freshman at San José State in 2019, she longed to feel more integrated with the campus community. As a commuting student, she knew she needed to venture out to find more social opportunities.
“I felt like the people around me who lived on campus were having fun, while I was coming onto campus for classes and then just going home after,” says Pineda.
Then she found Akbayan, and everything changed.
The day Pineda discovered the student organization, she was between classes, walking down the 7th Street Paseo. A Philippine flag hanging proudly from a tent caught her eye.
“As a Filipinx-American, I had never come across the Philippine flag anywhere on my school campuses,” says Pineda.
A few Akbayan club officers stood under the tent. One of the officers started engaging with Pineda, and soon after, she decided to join the club.
“I didn’t grow up with a lot of Filipino influence with culture and history. I didn’t learn a lot about what it’s like to be Filipino in high school,” shares Pineda. “So I thought an organization like this would be perfect for me to be in touch with my culture and know what it’s like to be both Filipino and American.”
Now, several years later, Pineda serves as president of Akbayan.
Akbayan, which is Tagalog for “embracing in friendship,” is currently the largest student organization on campus with approximately 500 students. It strives to bring Filipinx-American students together to connect and understand their shared culture and heritage. The club also has a mentorship program and organizes events, workshops and an annual benefit concert.
“Outside of the classroom, in clubs and activities, that's where I found that I deserve to be here and belong. Being able to continue that story for students is why I love my job.”
— Clarissa Mae Calimbas
Spartan Esports offers opportunities for students to compete in collegiate electronic games. Photo courtesy of Student Involvement.
A sense of belonging
Pineda and countless other SJSU students just like her have found a sense of belonging and community with like-minded individuals through one of the many student clubs and organizations on campus.
Currently, there are over 350 different student clubs and organizations at SJSU, with focuses ranging from cultural or religious affiliations to academics, club sports, special interests (such as knitting, philosophy and photography) and Fraternity and Sorority Life.
“I really love seeing student clubs and organizations flourish and grow,” says Clarissa Mae Calimbas, ’16 Child and Adolescent Development, ’26 Ed.D., who works as the assistant director for Student Organizations.
As an alumna of San José State, Calimbas knows firsthand the value that being part of a student organization provides. While she was an undergraduate, she didn’t feel motivated to connect with other students who had the same major. Instead, she looked beyond the classroom to develop relationships. She became a part of Akbayan, Residence Hall Association (RHA) and National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH).
“Outside of the classroom, in clubs and activities, that's where I found that I deserve to be here and belong,” says Calimbas. “Being able to continue that story for students is why I love my job.”
In her role, Calimbas oversees day-to-day operations and compliance for student clubs and organizations.
“I make sure they get the training, development and support they need to be successful on campus,” she says.
“I’ve never felt like I’ve belonged in a community before, but being a part of something like this in college, you really are the painter of your own canvas. It’s nice to feel like I’m in control of my college life. I can do so much here and plant the seed for so many people.”
— Keana Pineda
Grupo Folkórico Luna y Sol celebrates traditional Mexican dance. Photo by David Schmitz.
Meaningful relationships
Brianna Granados, ’24 Psychology, joined the sorority Alpha Xi Delta during her first semester at San José State. She had just moved from Southern California and didn’t know a single person.
Alpha Xi Delta became her “home away from home.”
Granados, who serves as the new member orientation director for her chapter, is a mentor for three younger students in her sorority. Along with other members of her chapter, she’s also worked to raise money for foster kids and children experiencing homelessness. This past year, they raised a record $34,000.
“Being a part of this chapter has made me feel extremely connected with the school and has given me leadership opportunities,” says Granados. “In my chapter, there are positions you can find that relate to your major or things you want to develop skills in. I’ve not only grown academically and professionally; I’ve also created meaningful relationships throughout my time in Alpha Xi Delta.”
Vinh Nguyen, ’24 Public Relations, also feels that he has found lifelong friends and meaningful relationships from his own experience joining Spartan Esports, a competitive video gaming club.
The club was founded in fall 2018 by Alan “Kudo” Ignacio, ’21 Business Administration, and since its inception, it’s grown from 30 to over 120 members and players.
Nguyen, who serves as president of Spartan Esports, felt he was welcomed to the club with open arms.
Spartans can find community through club sports such as ice hockey (left) and by participating in fraternities and sororities (right). Left photo courtesy of Student Involvement. Right photo by David Schmitz.
“I was put into an environment where I had mentors who taught me about the collegiate esports industry, and what it took to operate a collegiate level esports organization,” says Nguyen. “Through running multiple events and working with teams, players, and different department members, and even managing my own team of players, I gained valuable experience that helped mold me into the person I am today.”
Nguyen has not only had a chance to attend Esports events and compete in tournaments, he’s also been able to work with businesses like Red Bull and Guildhouse to provide more opportunities for the club’s players and members.
“The memories and experiences I’ve gained here will follow me for a lifetime,” he says.
In fact, three Spartan Esports teams (Valorant, Rocket League and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Team) qualified this past March for the Collegiate Esports Commissioners Cup (CECC) Texas 2024, an in-person tournament that brings esports athletes from schools over the country. Fourteen Spartan Esports club members all plan to attend the tournament in May 2024 in Dallas, Texas.
For Pineda, being a part of a student-run organization has allowed her to feel like she is fully in control of shaping her college experience.
“I’ve never felt like I’ve belonged in a community before, but being a part of something like this in college, you really are the painter of your own canvas,” Pineda says. “It’s nice to feel like I’m in control of my college life. I can do so much here and plant the seed for so many people.”
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Top photo: Akbayan SJSU dancers perform a barrio dance during the 31st Annual Pilipinx Cultural Night (PCN). This suite captures the myriad joys of the daily lives and activities of humble country folks. Following a long day's labor, rural residents gather in their communities to engage in lively dances as a means of relaxation. Photo courtesy of Akbayan SJSU.
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