Student Life
We have lots of ways for you to get more involved with your major and peers.
Back to School Kickoff
Connect with education-based Registered Student Organizations (RSOs), faculty, and other education students for a back-to-school celebration each August. Check back in May for the 2023 date!
Registered Student Organizations (RSOs)
Our clubs and organizations help you develop your leadership skills, meet new friends, and make lasting memories.
RSO leadership, complete this form to update your organization information. Common planning information for RSOs.
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
- Collegiate Middle Level Association (CMLA)
- Deaf Redbirds Association (DRA)
- Educators Rising
- Golden Apple
- Kappa Delta Epsilon (KDE)
- Kappa Delta Pi (KDP)
- National Art Education Association (NAEA)
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
- Student Association for Bilingual Education (SABE)
- Aspiring Educators Association
Braille Birds advocates for, and provides community services, that facilitate the integration of individuals with visual impairments at Illinois State University, in the local community, and throughout Illinois. Membership is open to anyone interested in braille or the field of visual impairments.
Faculty Advisor: Natalie Shaheen
Student Contact: Shannon Drabeck
This association offers members a chance to interact with others on professional and social levels. CMLA also hosts guest speakers presenting on current topics concerning future middle level educators.
Faculty Advisor: Kristina Falbe
Student Contact: Ellyn Lenschow
DRA provides opportunities to learn about communication, educational options, and life experiences of individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. Members enjoy social events and monthly speakers. Sign language practice is offered each month.
Faculty Advisor: Stephanie Gardiner-Walsh
Student Contact: Erin Kaniewski, Abbie Rausch
Educators Rising provides students with opportunities to explore careers in education, as well as contribute to the growth of the community through volunteerism. Open to PreK-secondary majors.
Faculty Advisor: Jay Percell
Student Contact: Paige Griffith
Golden Apple ISU is a group based out of the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Program. Members provide service to our local community and mentor one another to be the best teachers.
Faculty Advisor: Barb Meyer
Student Contacts: Shannan Showan
KDE is a national education fraternity. It promotes the cause of education by fostering a spirit of fellowship, high standards of scholastic attainment, and professional ideals among its members. Requires a 3.0 GPA for honorary membership.
Faculty Advisor: Erin Quast
Student Contact: Rachael Bross
KDP is an international honorary society. Membership is open to undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty members, and other professional educators.
Faculty Advisor: Barb Meyer
Student Contact: Mia Salerno and Callie Yoder
NAEA is a strong pre-professional organization dedicated to Art Education. It seeks to create professional, local, and national connections that help art become a dominant subject in modern education.
Faculty Advisor: Miranda Lin
Student Contact: Cassie Hawkins and Kati Fuchs
NAEYC is an organization dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children, with particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental services for all young children, birth through age 8.
Faculty Advisor: Miranda Lin
Student Contact: Grace McNulty
SABE is a social and academic student organization for dual language teacher education students.
Faculty Advisors: Evelyn Baca and Vivian Presiado
Student Contact: Xiomara Vargas
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. It aims to influence the conditions under which prospective educators are prepared and to advance the interest and welfare of students preparing for careers in education.
Faculty Advisor: Dana Karraker
Student Contact: Meghan Gaither
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
- Future Educators of Color (FEC)
- Queer Ed Birds (QEB)
- Student Disability Network (SDN)
- Students Ending Mental Illness Stigmas (SEMIS)
Autism Speaks is geared towards raising money for autism awareness on campus. Members also volunteer within the autism community in Bloomington-Normal.
Faculty Advisor:Nikki Michalak
Student Contact:Samantha Sarullo
Open to all University students, FEC provides a safe space for the unique social and emotional challenges related to being a Person of Color within a predominantly white institution. FEC also fosters community within the College of Education, creates a network for individuals interested in this topic through various events and platforms, and shares resources and opportunities to support educational and professional endeavors.
Faculty Advisor: Jennifer Brooks, Xiaoying Zhao, and Dakesa Piña
Student Contact: Myah White
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.
Student Contact: Melissa Gibbs
SDN unites students at the intersection of ability by creating a space for open conversation about the lived experiences of those affected by disability. SDN is open to those who live with disabilities as well as their allies.
Student Contact: Brandi Carrier
Students Ending Mental Illness Stigmas strives to raise awareness about mental illness and other mental health issues. It is our goal to eliminate harmful misconceptions about this important but highly stigmatized issue. We engage in honest d
Faculty Advisor: Suejung Han
Student Contact: Nadia Smith
Service Organizations
Our service organizations are dedicated to making an impact on people and the community.
- Best Buddies
- College Mentors for Kids
- Students Supporting Individuals with Disabilities (SSID)
- Special Olympics
Best Buddies provides opportunities for friendships between college students and their peers with disabilities. The organization holds monthly group activities and buddies spend time with one another on a weekly basis.
Faculty Advisor: Antonio Causarano
Student Contact: Ella Pittman
College Mentors for kids inspires youth in the Bloomington-Normal community. Mentors help "little buddies" learn and grow through hands-on, fun activities.
Faculty Advisor: Erin Thomas
Student Contact: Paige Griffith
SSID provides service-based activities to support individuals with disabilities.
Faculty Advisor: Yun-Ching Chung
Student Contact: Jaimee Beyer
Get excited about joining the Special Olympics ISU. Our club offers a unique opportunity to engage with individuals with disabilities in a range of activities aimed at promoting inclusivity and supporting individuals with disabilities.
Faculty Advisor: Deborah Garrahy
Student Contact: Keely Grasse
College of Education Opportunities
Studio Teach
More than just a computer lab, Studio Teach is a place to collaborate, share, and get hands-on experience with the latest and greatest in educational technology.
Study Abroad
Experience life in another culture while you earn credit towards your major. Our study abroad opportunities take you to amazing destinations.
University Opportunities
Civic Engagement
Take what you learn in the classroom and apply it to making your community a better place.
Honors Program
The Illinois State Honors program offers you an engaging and challenging academic experience.
Themed Living Communities
When you live with friends who share your interests, you'll have all kinds of support and fun. We offer living communities for Special Education and Teacher Education.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Illinois State is one of the most affordable four-year institutions in the nation. To get help with paying for school, check out education scholarships and the ISU financial aid office.
Want more? We have hundreds of other ways for you to get involved at Illinois State.