Tamela Staples
IMPACT gives you the opportunity to connect with organizations that will be valuable in your college career, according to Quinta Goines.
Goines, a multimedia journalism major from Needham, Alabama, who was a junior in the spring, is a Trojan Ambassador and president of M.I.S.S. Elite Society.
“When you go to IMPACT, scope out two or three organizations that you really like,” she said. “And make up your mind to join them. You will meet some of your best friends from organizations, you’ll be able to network with people, and it will give you something to do in your spare time.”
There are at least 169 organizations at Troy University— including band, Greek and religious organizations — that students can join, according to Barbara Patterson, the university’s director of student involvement and leadership.
“In the last two, three years, we have had lots of organizations to get started and there has been a lot of interest in special-interest organizations,” Patterson said. “The most important reason for students to get involved is because they will find organizations of people who are interested in the same things. It helps them make friends and get settled into the university and find their niche.”
Goines said just by being a member of the M.I.S.S. Elite Society, she has received many opportunities — such as meeting, networking and learning information from people with business and leadership backgrounds.
M.I.S.S. Elite Society — Motivating and Instilling Successful Students into an Elite Society — is an all-female organization that participates in community service and gives opportunities to the members.
Kymla Bettis-Sledge, a human services major from Mobile who was a senior in the spring, is the president of G.E.N.E.S.I.S, the college ministry at St. Paul A.M.E. Church.
G.E.N.E.S.I.S stands for Guiding Encouraging and Nurturing Every Student in Salvation, and it meets every Monday in the Trojan Center.
“My social life has changed for the better,” Bettis-Sledge said. “I encouraged my friends to get involved, and I’ve met so many great people since I’ve been in the organization.”
Jared Henderson, a computer science major from Pensacola, Florida, who was a sophomore in the spring, said he came to Troy without friends. He became a member of the Improv Club and Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, National Pan-Hellenic president and movie chair for University Activities Council.
“To all the freshmen, be involved,” Henderson said. “The more involved you are, the better your college experience is going to be, the more people you are going to know and the better connections you are going to make.”
Henderson said UAC will help students meet new people. UAC sponsors free events for students, including dollar movies, casino night and bingo night.
Martin Bryant, a biomedical sciences major from Anderson, South Carolina, who was a junior in the spring, is a part of UAC, a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and a Trojan Ambassador.
Trojan Ambassadors serve as representatives of the university and recruit prospective students.
“Make it a priority to join organizations,” Bryant said. “It’s a great way to make relationships throughout your four years of college, possibly for a lifetime.”
Carlie Spencer, a math major from Montgomery who was a sophomore in the spring, is a member of UAC, Alpha Gamma Delta sorority and Alpha Lambda Delta honor society, as well as publicity chairwoman of the Student Alumni Association.
“Try to get involved, but just be careful because you can get over-involved,” Spencer said. “… My sorority is great as a social club, I actually live at the Alpha Gamma house and with my sorority sisters, and we get to have fun.”
Student Alumni Association helps you get connected with the Alumni Association. You will have access to tailgating events and will get a discount at the bookstore. Spencer also got a chance to be on a television talk show through the organization.
Courtney Chandler, a broadcast journalism major from Helena who was a senior in the spring, is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and president of the National Association of Black Journalists.
NABJ is a group for black journalists and communication majors to connect with each other, expand their ideas and hold campus events.
“Don’t just sit in your room, do nothing and go to sleep,” Chandler said. “Go to activities on campus, and have a fun year.”
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