Get Involved
Make connections
Make lasting friendships, give back to the community, and build your leadership skills! If you are interested in joining an organization listed below, email the advisor listed.
Student senate
Avila Student Senate promotes a spirit of unity among all members of the Avila University community, acts as a means of communication between students, faculty, staff and administration with respect to campus issues, helps solve campus problems in cooperation with the administration, faculty, and staff, and initiates, promotes and helps supervise general campus activities.
honor societies
Beta Beta Beta
Advisor Dr. Katherine Burgess
National Web site: http://www.tri-beta.org/
The Pi Iota chapter of Tri-beta was established at Avila in the fall of 1998. Tri-beta is an honor and professional society for students of the biological sciences, particularly undergraduates. It seeks to encourage scholarly attainment to cultivate intellectual interest in the life sciences, and to promote a better appreciation of the value of biological study.
Jean Pierre Médaille Honor Society
An undergraduate, interdisciplinary honor society for Avila University students recognizing academic achievement and promoting student leadership.
Pi Lambda Theta
Advisor: Alicia Murillo
International site: http://www.kdp.org/
Pi Lambda Theta is an International Honor Society in Education. It is open to all elementary, middle, secondary, special education, and education graduate students, who meet the requirements. Pi Lambda Theta membership is designed to help active members grow professionally. Membership provides an opportunity to enhance leadership experiences, collaborate with members and professionals in the educational field, have fellowship with others, and network with local and national educators.
Lambda Nu
The Alpha chapter of Lambda Nu is the national honor society for radiologic science students. Undergraduate students are eligible to participate when they achieve at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale professional GPA after their first full semester in the program.
National Society of Leadership and Success
Advisor Jason F. Baldwin
Advisor Gracey Hopkins
National site: www.societyleadership.org
The National Society of Leadership and Success is a national honor society dedicated to creating lasting positive change in students’ lives and the community around them.
Committed to helping students build leadership skills essential for academic and professional success…
The Society invites students to:
- Six broadcast presentations by the nation’s top speakers, authors and leaders each school year.
- Leadership Training programs, exercises and workshops.
- Participate in peer coaching groups called Success Networking Teams (SNTs) and community service.
Phi Alpha
Advisor Lindee Petersen Wilson
National Site: http://www.phialpha.org/
This Honor Society is for social work majors. It promotes social work scholarship and achievement.
Students are invited to become members after they have completed a minimum of 8 hours of social work credit and achieved a minimum 3.25 GPA in their social work courses.
Psychology Club & Psi Chi Honor Society
Advisor Dr. Marcia Pasqualini
International site: http://www.psichi.org/
Psi Chi is the International Honor Society in Psychology, founded to encourage, stimulate, and maintain excellence in scholarship, and advancing the science of psychology. Membership is open to graduate and undergraduate students who are making the study of psychology one of their major interests, and who meet the minimum qualifications.
performing arts
Avila Athletic Bands
The Athletic Bands play a vital role on campus infusing events with pride and energy through musical performance. Students in the Athletic Bands are chosen through the Performance Grant audition process and serve the Avila community at a variety of events providing both aesthetic and artistic vitality and enthusiasm.
Avila Singers
Avila Singers is a non-auditioned choral ensemble intended for preparation and participation in public performances of sacred and secular choral music. The ensemble performs one major choral work each semester on campus. Past performances include Handel’s Messiah and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Requiem. The ensemble is open to all students, faculty, and alumni who wish to participate.
Avila University Theatre Company
The company encourages and develops interest in the theatre arts by promoting ensemble-participating in and learning more about the craft of theatre in the spirit of togetherness and friendliness.
Choral Ensembles
University Singers is an auditioned choral ensemble performing challenging, eclectic literature. University Singers performs both on and off-campus for special events and scheduled concerts. Members of the ensemble serve as ambassadors for the university, touring each spring and performing in high schools and other venues across the Midwest. A portion of each tour is dedicated to the Sisters of St. Joseph in locations such as Minnesota, New York, California, and St. Louis. Future plans include competitions culminating in additional performances across the United States and Europe. Any student is welcome to audition for University Singers. Students auditioning for the ensemble should be prepared to sight-read pitches and rhythms. Selection for the ensemble will be based on tone quality, intonation, sight-reading ability, and musicianship.
Mu Sigma Pi
Advisor Amity Bryson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Avila-University-Music-Department/180958741626
Avila Music Department’s student-led organization fosters musicianship, artistry, and unity through formal and informal performances and activities.
campus programMing and service organizations
Office of Ministry, Spirituality, and Action
Advisor Dave Armstrong
Facebook: Avila Campus Ministries
Campus Ministries affirms the values and vision of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, striving to assist and promote the spiritual development of members of the Avila community, especially students through unity, prayer and service. Campus Ministries reaches out to all faiths to build unity within the Avila community. Events are planned with the intention that everyone may be involved.
The Activities Team (The A-Team)
Advisor Jason F. Baldwin
Advisor Izzy Jaynes
Facebook: The A-Team
The A-Team plans and promotes a variety of social, cultural, recreational, and educational events and activities to meet the co-curricular needs of the entire student body.
literary and media organizations
Avila MicroCinema
Serves as the Corporate Communication and Media Production facility for Avila. Provides public relations, advertising, and media services for events.
Sound & Fury (literary magazine)
Avila’s literary magazine, the Sound & Fury, publishes poetry, short stories, short plays, and essays. The magazine is edited by students under the supervision of Avila’s Artist in Residence, Stanley Banks.
The Talon Student Media Network
Advisor J. Anthony Snorgrass
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/talon.newsnetwork
Twitter: http://twitter.com/TalonNews_Avila
YouTube: youtube.com/thetalononline
Avila University’s student media network includes the Talon News Magazine, The Talon Online, Talon TV, Talon Ureport, Talon podcasts, web streaming, and other interactive publications.
special interest organizations
Avila Ambassadors
The ambassadors promote Avila University and its values as representatives of the Admissions Office. Ambassadors provide tours for prospective students and participate in special University events.
Black Student Union (BSU)
Advisor Darline Henrius
Facebook: BSU at Avila
The Black Student Union (BSU) is a collegian support group created to provide Avila University’s community with educational and social programming that promotes cultural diversity. BSU promotes cultural pluralism through the selection and presentation of lecturers, speakers, discussion groups, and artistic programming in an intellectually stimulating format.
Colleges Against Cancer at Avila University
816.501.3688
National site: http://campus.relayforlife.org/
Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) is a nationwide collaboration of college students, faculty, and staff dedicated to eliminating cancer by working to implement the programs and mission of the American Cancer Society.
International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)
The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) enables a global network of communicators working in diverse industries and disciplines to identify, share and apply the world’s most effective communication practices.
International Student Organization (ISO)
The International Student Organization (ISO) is committed to:
- Fostering awareness, appreciation, and understanding of different cultures
- Advancing the needs of different cultural groups on campus
- And Providing programs and events for social, cultural, and educational exchange
Thunderbirds
We lead, inspire, and mentor Avila students to embrace their power, purpose, and value. To create long lasting relationships and empower them to live the lives they love. We will ignite their passion and come together to build a strong fellowship in our community.
Residence Hall Association
Advisor Daniel Capp
The Residence Hall Association integrates the ideals of the residence halls to promote leadership in those residence halls.
Saudi Arabian Students Association (SASA)
To share Saudi Arabian tradition, culture, and perception within the Avila and Kansas City communities and promote cross-cultural communication and understanding through various activities under the Avila University umbrella.
The purposes of the SASA are:
- Represent Saudi Arabia in education, society, and sports activities.
- Educate Kansas City community about Saudi Arabian culture.
- Participate in Avila University and Kansas City activities.
- Promote communication between Saudi Arabian, American students, and international students.
- Help new Saudi Arabian students and their families.
- Help SASA members and students learn and develop different skills.
Pride Alliance
Co-Advisor Dr. Amy Bucher
Co-Advisor Dr. Daniel Weigel
Pride Alliance exists to create an inclusive and welcoming community for folks who identify as LGBTQ+, and to advocate and work for the removal of systemic barriers faced by LGBTQ+ people at Avila.
Society of Latinos (SOL)
Advisor Dave Armstrong
Advisor Alicia Murillo
The Society of Latinos serves the Kansas City community by providing support to elementary and secondary school students. In working with local students, SOL aims to instill the tools, leadership and motivation to help them achieve their academic and professional goals. SOL provides the Avila University community with educational and recreational events to share the culture and traditions of diverse Hispanic/Latino nationalities.
United Nations Association-USA (UNA-USA) Avila Chapter
Facebook: @unitednationsavilau
UNA-USA campus chapters are ambassadors for the UN in their local communities. They educate themselves and others in the vital work of the UN and advocate to their elected leaders about the importance of a strong US-UN relationship. This organization will inspire Avila students to identify and advocate for global issues (i.e., energy, climate, women’s issues, health, peace, security). Students will build leadership skills that will help them make a difference in the world. They will learn how to meet with elected officials to talk about the issues that matter as well as advocate for issues of social justice through direct community engagement.
academic organizations
Alpha Epsilon Delta (AED)
AED is an organization of pre-health professions and science majors. Most students in these programs actively participate in the club. AED was formed to allow students interested in the health professions to explore career opportunities by sponsoring speakers, going on field trips, and holding social events on and off-campus.
Avila Education Association (AEA)
A student-run organization for any Avila student interested in working with and advocating for children and youth to ensure the absolute best future for all current and future youth.
Avila Student Nurses Organization (ASNO)
Advisor Megan Ashcraft
Advisor Leah Buck
ASNO members contribute to nursing education in order to provide the highest quality health care. The program is representative of fundamental and current professional interests and concerns and aims to involve freshman and sophomore nursing students and foster the added interest of junior and senior students through:
- Community volunteer services
- Lectures and demonstrations to supplement academic and clinical experiences.
- A medium in which information and assistance can be obtained through peers and faculty.
- Unifying, activating, and developing relationships between nursing students so as to strengthen their professional and personal endeavors.
- An organization in which members can keep well informed as to trends in nursing, government legislation, and the community.
Through membership in ASNO students will develop peer relations, communication skills, civic involvement, knowledge and applied skills.
Computer Science Club
Advisor
Instagram: @au_csc
The Computer Science (CS) club is an opportunity for Avila computer science majors to come together to discuss and review new ideas and concepts. The club will educate the Kansas City community about Computer Science and help computer science majors learn and develop skills. It will also help new CS students get acclimated to Avila and the department.
Humanities Club
Advisor Amy Milakovic
This club promotes mastery of written expression, encourages worthwhile reading, and fosters a spirit of good fellowship among students of the English language and literature.
Graduate Psychology Association
The Graduate Psychology Club is designed to provide support, information, and networking opportunities for students involved in a Master’s level study of Psychology.
Kinesiology Club
The Kinesiology Club works to make a positive difference on campus and within the community. They work with other groups to facilitate recreational and fitness activities on campus (ie: i-Fit Club & AU “Biggest Losers” programs). Our activities are designed to promote development and networking opportunities related to Kinesiology.
Pre-Law Organization
The Pre-Law Organization at Avila is a student-run group with the sole purpose of preparing students to be successful in law school and legal careers. We visit law schools, host guest speakers, and even set up internships. We focus all of our time on professional development and building our resumes for law school and beyond. Every member in the organization has a voice in deciding what our next course of action will be.
Student Social Work Association (SSWA)
SSWA is a student organization for Avila social work majors and anyone else interested in the field of Social Work. The club elects officers and is run by students, with input from the advisors. The purpose of the club is to promote awareness of social work, provide service to the community, and to organize social activities for members. The club offers a connecting point for students interested in the social work field. The club sponsors service projects and other activities throughout the academic year.
health & wellness organizations
American Red Cross Club
The Avila University American Red Cross Club is a student organization that focuses directly on the University’s mission of serving the dear neighbor. Students contribute to the American Red Cross blood drives in order to serve a constant need for blood donation in the Kansas City region. The club also provides community service opportunities that help students involved consider the potential of a future career in health and science.
Peers Educating Avila About Counseling and Health (PEACH)
Peers Educating Avila about Counseling and Health (PEACH) is a student-driven group that develops and presents a variety of educational programs and activities intended to promote physical and emotional well-being. Examples of PEACH program topics are: spring break safety awareness, breast cancer awareness, and stress relief events. In addition, PEACH participates in existing campus activities (i.e. Orientation, Student Organization Fair, Stress Relief Week, Spring Fling, and Wellness Day). The PEACH members meet regularly with the co-advisors to plan events/activities.
Proud2Bme
Proud2Bme partners with the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA). Its purpose is to promote body positivity and bring awareness to eating disorders. It will also educate Avila’s students on the importance of a positive self-image and prevention, warning signs, and resources related to eating disorders.
Wellness
The focus of wellness programming is directed to the student population, although activities are open and available to all students, faculty, and staff. Programming is designed to promote wellness, enhance health awareness, and encourage the development of healthy choices that affect both physical and mental health.
Programs offered each semester can include wellness forums, classes, activities, and events. Wellness also collaborates with other clubs, organizations, departments, and schools to provide activities during special focus weeks on campus. Wellness works in conjunction with Peers Educating Avila About Counseling and Health (PEACH) to provide a more comprehensive plan for the campus community.