Clubs and Organizations
Welcome and thanks for visiting the Student Clubs and Organizations page at Penn State York and taking your first step towards involvement! Penn State York offers various co-curricular activities for the social, cultural, educational, and recreational needs of students. The Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center is the main hub of these activities. Within the Student Center, you'll find the offices of Student Affairs and Student Government Association (SGA). Both Student Affairs and SGA sponsor many campus activities (usually at no charge) including musicians, speakers, comedians, and more.
As a student, you are encouraged to participate in these activities and to join groups that might share some of your interests. Getting involved in campus life is an important part of your college experience and we sincerely hope that you take advantage of this opportunity.
You can download the Starting a New Club at Penn State York packet for starting a new club. For more information on how to start your own club, or any other club/organization related questions, see Dan Puccio in the Student Affairs office or view policies and rules for student organizations.
Active Clubs
Agricultural Science Club
The Agricultural Science Club strives to provide an interactive setting for students interested in the agricultural sciences to meet with experts in their discipline, go on trips and tours of local agricultural related venues, to organize campus events, and to outreach to the local community through service projects.
President: Katelyn Campion
Adviser: Andy Landis
Alpha Sigma Lambda (ASL) Honor Society
Alpha Sigma Lambda’s aim is to recognize the special achievements of adults who accomplish academic excellence while facing competing interests of home and work. ASL stands as an inspiration to scholastic growth and an invitation to associate with similarly motivated students.
Contact: Dan Puccio
Any Other Word (Literary Magazine)
An online journal of the arts, Any Other Word is a creative outlet for members of the Penn State York student body. It is designed to showcase students’ talents and to unite artistic minds. Any Other Word publishes the best short stories and poems submitted by Penn State York students. Visit Any Other Word
Contact: Dr. Noel Sloboda
Baby Blue Band
The Baby Blue Band plays and creates all types of music in the hopes of providing students an opportunity to pursue, perform, and develop one's musical abilities to augment campus events through musical performances.
Contact: Andrew White
Adviser: Robert Ellis (ree2@psu.edu)
Biology Club
The Biology Club is a group of students who are interested in career opportunities in the biology and life sciences area. Students examine novel research findings, take field trips to local laboratories and pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, and speak with professionals in the life sciences careers.
President: Jamaia Marks
Adviser: Anne Vardo-Zalik
Black Student Union (BSU)
The BSU provides an academic and social network for the black student population and the celebration of African American culture. Goals of BSU members include: developing leadership skills; becoming culturally aware; participating in activities that assist the community; and beginning the process of career planning. BSU sponsors a number of campus activities and programs including: an African American cultural festival; an African American poetry reading; community-wide discussions on racism; and a number of fundraisers.
President: Maritha Yeboah
Adviser: Fulgentius Lugemwa
Blue & White Society
The Blue & White Society was established as a student organization that aims to enhance student life through promoting Penn State pride, community service, and dedication to the University. Specifically, the Blue & White Society provides our communities with Penn State pride and civic leadership, enhances the student’s Penn State experience by building relationships within the University and the community, and instills the concept within students that their involvement with the University can and should be a lifelong commitment.
President: Kirsten McWilliams
Adviser: Iona Conlon
Council of Commonwealth Student Governments (CCSG)
The York campus SGA is a member of CCSG, a University-wide organization whose membership includes the SGAs of all the Penn State campuses. Six times a year, local delegates attend statewide conferences and workshops to develop, coordinate, improve, and promote the academic and co-curricular activities program of the University; to train and maintain a cadre of student leaders at each campus; and to improve the lines of communication among the Penn State campuses.
For more information, visit psuccsg.org.
Council on Family Relations (CFR)
The CFR is for Human Development and Family Studies and related majors. The club sponsors social activities and service projects with children.
President: Shawnee Hostetter
Adviser: Amber Seidel
Electronic Dance Music (EDM) Club
EDM is a broad range of percussive electronic music genres made largely for nightclubs, raves, and festivals. Students get together weekly to play their favorite EDM songs, and even throw in some of their own mixes. No country, rock, or metal music is allowed in the club!
Contact: Chengyang (Lawrence) Yu
Adviser: Stepanka Magstadt
Hispanic Student Association (HAS)
HSA encourages Hispanic students at Penn State York to embrace and share their heritage by coming together in meetings and at events so that the community can expand their own knowledge base in regards to Hispanic culture and the importance of diversity.
Contact: Camila Amezquita
Adviser: Cecilia Heydl-Cortinez
Lion Ambassadors
The Penn State York Lion Ambassadors are current students who promote the campus to prospective students, their parents, and the community. Besides being a part of the SGA, the group works closely with the Admissions Office. Activities include campus tours, fundraisers, and social events on behalf of the school. Members are expected to keep a 2.5 grade-point average (GPA). For more information, visit the Lion Ambassadors’ website.
President: Marina Mekheal
Adviser: LeighAnn Fry
Multicultural Club
The Multicultural Club strives to show others all the different cultures around the world and a place for Penn State York students to come and gather with one another.
President: Sahil Heighes
Adviser: Ann Fetterman
Penn Players
The Penn Players presents several plays and performances throughout the year at the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center. In addition, the club travels to local theatres and enjoys dramatic presentations and theatrical events.
President: Papa Adams
Adviser: Stuart Stelly
Pokemon League
The Pokemon League will allow students the ability to relax through Pokemon video games, card games, and the television show and movies.
President: Nathan Oberdick
Adviser: Jessica Petko
Rainbow Paws
Rainbow Paws supports equality and respect among all sexualities, while providing a safe place where students can relax and be themselves.
Contact: Colin Miller
Adviser: Todd Hoy
Students for Computer Recycling to Outfit Underrepresented Nonprofit Groups in Education (SCROUNGE)
SCROUNGE takes computer donations from local businesses and refurbishes them. The computers are then distributed to nonprofit organizations in the community.
For more information, visit the SCROUNGE website.
President: Austin Brown
Adviser: Joe Royer
Secondary Adviser: James Oplinger
Student Athletic Club
Penn State York students enjoy being active, and they have the perfect outlet to do so with the Student Athletic Club! This active club provides athletic and recreational activities on campus, while allowing students to develop their own athletic skills and their sports knowledge.
President: Samuel Moore
Adviser: Terri Van Slyke
Student Government Association (SGA)
SGA is the representative voice of the student body. Composed of an elected senate, SGA deals with campus-wide issues and governance to promote student welfare. SGA is the organization that charters student clubs and organizations. Any group who wishes to start a new club must go through SGA in order to gain approval. SGA also acts as an advisory body to all chartered organizations on matters such as rules and policies and fund disbursement. In addition, SGA sponsors activities, programs, and student forums which allow for the fullest expression of student opinion.
President: Colin Miller
Adviser: Dan Puccio
Student Veterans of America (SVA) - York Chapter
Since SVA’s founding in 2008, over one million veterans have returned home to pursue a postsecondary degree. Penn State York is proud to host a chapter of this national organization, sharing best practices, success stories and supporting one another to further strengthen the student veteran community. We focus on veteran welfare to ensure student veterans are supported in their transition to education and employment. Through advocacy, partnerships and alumni support, SVA strives to help all student veterans succeed and contribute to civilian society.
President: Patrick Leeper
Adviser: Joe Royer
Table Top Gaming
Table Top Gaming wants all of our members to have fun, make new friends across campus, all while enjoying and playing a variety of table top games!
Contact: Samuel Albright
Adviser: Todd Hoy
THON (Penn State Dance Marathon)
For more than three decades, the students of the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) have raised more than $101 million and have helped thousands of children and families fight pediatric cancer. The largest student-run philanthropy in the world, THON is a year-round fundraising event benefiting The Four Diamonds Fund, at the Penn State Children’s Hospital in Hershey, Pa. The year culminates in a no-sitting, no-sleeping, two day dance marathon held every February.
For more information, visit the THON website.
Primary Chair: Casey Dierdorff
Co-Chair: Paulina Martinez
Adviser: Barbara Dennis
University Programming Board (UPB)
The University Programming Board is comprised of students who are interested in planning programs and activities for the student body. There are no special skills required to be involved with the board, just a willingness to “get your hands dirty” and make things happen on campus. UPB has sponsored coffee houses, movies, comedians, lectures, trips, and much more.
President: Shawnee Hostetter
Adviser: Dan Puccio
