Student Clubs and Organizations

Agents of Change Club works to make the world a better place one project at a time. Every semester, we chose a social issue and a project to work on throughout the semester. We are agents of change on Simpson’s campus.

Alpha Psi Omega is an honorary theatre fraternity comprised of performing arts students who strive to bring theatre to the Simpson College community. This organization hosts various events throughout the year featuring their performative talents and theatre artistry.

Best Buddies is an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for one-to-one friendships for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). We have events called “parties” once a month in which we spend time with our buddies participating in various events from scrapbooking to dancing to trivia and other games.

Our program focuses on spending time with our buddies in hopes to create genuine friendships and increasing advocacy and awareness for people with IDD, focusing on their abilities and people first language.

The Black Student Union (BSU) promotes cultural and educational activities to benefit the African American student body and allies. BSU nurtures a bit of fun and in a safe environment, engaging our members in discussion on issues affecting students and the surrounding communities, even globally. Members are educated then challenged to take safe and respectful action, leading by example and pushing students to be better than their best. The group aims to take charge of the future by dismantling negative, harmful stereotypes and building and securing their sense of community and influence the world.

Cancer Awareness Club is a service-based organization that raises awareness about the realities of different types of cancers. They also raise money for cancer organizations in the Des Moines area.

This is a housing unit for students interested in promoting multicultural activities on campus. The residents of the house are from unique backgrounds living together and organizing events to continue the traditions of the Carver Cultural Center promoting multi-cultural unity, respect and self-consciousness.

Chemistry Club is designed to promote interest in Chemistry and discussion among members of Simpson community. The good news is you don’t have to be in the sciences to join!

CEO at Simpson College affiliates with the national Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization to connect and network with other chapters across the country. Students work in entrepreneurial teams on real-world projects such as re-igniting the Simpson yearbook, launching an on-campus game rental business and exploring their own business ideas. Collaborating with CEO class members provides insights from other students’ perspectives. As a key component of the Emerge@Simpson program, CEO participants interact with Des Moines metro-area entrepreneurs, meet with area business leaders and attend startup community events such as 1 Million Cups in Des Moines.

This club is great for any Computer Science major or students interested in programming or computers in general. Students attending CS club have the opportunity to do individual project presentations, Hackathons, programming competitions, robotics, computer building and more.

We also strive to help our members get internships over the summer through events such as the Internship Dinner.

There’s free pizza and snacks at our meetings, so if you would like to hang around, eat some free food and learn about computers, feel free to come!

The Dance Club of Simpson College works to provide a fun and welcoming atmosphere for members of the Simpson community of all abilities to openly express themselves through the movement of dance and to be physically active in a new way.

Education Club provides Education majors/minors a chance to learn more about the field that they have chosen for their career. Education Club has many events throughout the school year. They have speakers come in to talk to the members about various topics dealing with education. They also provide outreach opportunities and workshops to better prepare education students for the real world. The goal of Education Club is to create a safe and fun environment for students interested in growing, developing, and learning more about education.

Being part of a fraternity or sorority is about more than joining a group or having fun—it’s about leadership, service and lifelong friendships.

Fraternity and sorority life at Simpson College fosters the education of the whole person: intellectually, socially and spiritually. Below are just a few of the areas in which our fraternity and sorority community aspires to achieve excellence.

Brotherhood and Sisterhood – A sense of unity and friendship forms among members and alumni of an individual chapter, as well as as among everyone in the same chapter across the nation. The bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood are forged throughout the member’s active participation in the chapter and last for a lifetime.

Leadership – Fraternity and sorority members are highly involved in student leadership positions at Simpson. Membership in fraternal organizations provides excellent opportunities to get involved, assume responsibility and develop leadership skills.

Philanthropy – Simpson fraternities and sororities contribute many hours each semester to philanthropies and service projects. The opportunities you will encounter to give of yourself for the sake of helping others are endless. From children’s hospitals to cancer foundations, Simpson fraternities and sororities are actively supporting worthy causes.

Scholarship – At Simpson, one of the most important aspects of fraternity & sorority life is scholarship. Good scholarship is a prerequisite to becoming an initiated member of a fraternal organization. Fraternities and sororities at Simpson have consistently proven their academic abilities by their recognition and involvement in campus honor societies.

Fraternities at Simpson College

Alpha Tau Omega
Kappa Theta Psi
Lambda Chi Alpha
Sigma Alpha Epsilon

Sororities at Simpson College

Delta Delta Delta
Kappa Kappa Gamma
Pi Beta Phi
Sigma Lambda Gamma

The International Student Organization (I.S.O.) at Simpson College welcomes any students from Simpson, but is founded on the perspectives of our members from countries all around the world. We are a place for international and non-international students to learn and grow from their shared experiences together at Simpson College.

The current goals of I.S.O. are to:

• Coordinate the international students and multicultural activities.
• Plan and implement events that are oriented around fostering friendly connections between students and educating them on international subjects and experiences.
• Seek an excellent education
• Foster the development of an active global mindset
• Aid students in increasing their leadership skills
• Promote students and help them achieve their career goals
• Assist international students in their adjustment to the social and academic environment of campus life
• Connect international students with host families and other students that will serve as their primary support system during their time at Simpson
• Promote intercultural relationships through events that showcase the cultural backgrounds of international students
• Provide a safe and supportive space for international and internationally-interested students to share their perspectives and cultures
• Promote diversity and inclusion
• Be the “Window to the World” and educate Simpson students about countries, cultures, and experiences that differ from their own
• Have fun and create memories to last a lifetime!

The mission of La Casa Unida Latino Cultural Center at Simpson College is to develop, promote and increase awareness of Latino culture through programs and networking between student clubs and organizations that will lead to a strong community for Latina/o students. The group hosts many cultural events including lectures, movie nights, game nights and exposure to Hispanic cuisine, art, and music.

Latinos Unidos is a Latinx organization at Simpson College that seeks to unite students interested in sharing, celebrating and learning about Latinx Culture. Although the organization is Latinx-based, Latinos Unidos is not an exclusive group and welcomes people of all ethnic backgrounds.

• provide all interested students with an opportunity to interact with each other through events and activities such as discussion groups, dinners, and movie nights
• have a space for Latinx students and students interested in the Latinx sociocultural life
• foster diversity on campus
• teach others about Latin America and people of Latinx heritage by sharing their values, language, and culture
• give back to Latinx communities

Math Club works toward showing the students of Simpson College that math doesn’t have to be difficult, it can be fun and can be useful for many different majors. Past events are a Pi-K to celebrate Pi Day (with pie as a participation prize), Science Jeopardy, Probability Gambling Night (with Life Savers, Rolos and Mini Hershey bars as “money”) and Student Research Presentations to showcase math in a variety of majors.

Multicultural Student Alliance is a group of students committed to coordinating cultural activities on campus like. Some activities have included cultural & heritage month celebrations, panel discussions and community events centered around diversity and tolerance in campus. The group is committed to recognizing every individual’s rights to dignity and respect because every person has worth as an individual.

The beliefs of the group are to:

• treat all equally and with respect, without regard to their sex, race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, marital or family status, parenthood, size or disability,
• not tolerate sexual or racial harassment and to learn about Simpson’s anti-discrimination policies and speak up they are violated,
• ensure that any allegation of sexual assault, sexual, racial or any other type of harassment or discrimination is promptly and thoroughly investigated,
• not tolerate sexist, racist, sexually-explicit or pornographic images or language in the campus environment or at any campus events.

Physics & Pre-Engineering Club is a place for students who are curious about the universe we live in and want to explore its many phenomena. We accomplish this by constructing many projects, such as our solar charging station, tesla coil and acoustic levitator. A background in physics or math is not necessary, just a curiosity for the world around you.

This group is designed to help students of all ages develop skills necessary for entering the professional world, gaining access to pre-health opportunities in the Des Moines area and applying to professional schools. The Pre-Health Society also invites students to participate in community service activities and philanthropy events.

We are an organization of Simpson students committed to the fulfillment of physical and social needs of our local communities, enhancing our professional and personal development and building organizational and personal relationships worldwide through service and friendship.

We are here to help others get civically engaged in the Democratic Party with volunteering and internship opportunities.

The Simpson College Feminists host about two events per semester that help engage and educate the Simpson community about intersectional feminism. During our meetings, we participate in discussions that apply our knowledge about intersectional feminism to our daily lives, current events and how to become more inclusive in our words and actions.

Our student leaders have cultivated and facilitated a close-knit community that is welcoming to students of diverse backgrounds and identities to form lasting working relationships and friendships.

The Simpson College Storm Beat Pep Band and Drumline is a low commitment organization for students who want to continue to play their instrument in college. We work with the athletic department to help bring school spirit to football and basketball games. Concessions are provided for those who play at games! We play fun music and provide fun company. Come join us!

The Student Alumni Association (SAA) is a student-led organization that seeks to help students plan for their futures by meeting and interacting with alumni professionals in the fields which they wish to pursue. After all, as the saying goes: “It is who you know that will get you there, it is what you know that will keep you there.” SAA meets monthly, giving all members an opportunity to share new ideas, reflect over past events, and to connect with other members.

The SSA strives to connect you with those alumni that will assist you in finding success upon graduation.  The group hosts a variety of events that you can participate in as well as assist in planning. SAA sponsors the Alumni Mentoring Program (AMP) that allows each student to enter into a mentoring relationship with an alum in their desired field or interest area. Through this relationship, mentors offer advice, recommendations, potential internship opportunities, etc.

The club also hosts monthly networking dinners for students and alumni in specific areas of the professional world. These dinners are casual gatherings that allow students to learn and interact with Simpson College alumni. In addition to these reoccurring events and programming, SAA sponsors a Fall Kick-Off where students are invited to check-out SAA and visit with current members, a non-alcoholic cocktail networking practice event called “Mocktails,” a board game night with current students challenging alumni for great prizes, and “Java with Jay,” a coffee hour with President Simmons.

The SSA looks for leaders with innovative ideas to help share the mission of the club across campus, to begin plan for your life after Simpson and for meeting mentors, friends, and future colleagues.

The Sustainability Club is committed to reducing Simpson’s carbon footprint and our overall environmental impact. Various educational and action-oriented activities take place throughout the year, as well as weekly meetings.

Past Sustainability Club achievements include the development of a restored prairie near campus, the founding of a bike share program, increased recycling efforts, highway cleanups, the creation of an organic garden and more.

We’re always looking for new members and welcome any further ideas on how to increase sustainability efforts on campus.

The Walking Club serves to improve the mental and physical health of those at Simpson. Regular walking has been proven to decrease risk for cardiovascular disease and improve overall fitness levels as one of the most beneficial forms of exercise. The social aspect of walking in a group helps lessen mental health issues and create a community for those experienced with fitness as well as those new to it.

Trading Card Club at Simpson is a great way to get involved with a lot of other card players around campus. The Club features games such as Pokemon, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh! and many other card and board games.

Simpson College Pride seeks to educate the campus and community about LGBTQ+ issues and the realities that LGBTQ+ individuals face. The goals of the group are to provide support to individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities, promote a sense of unity and diversity among the students and faculty and promote a progressive, all-inclusive environment and social attitude for all sexual orientations, gender identities and those who support them.

The Native American and Intertribal Student Association (NAISA) strives to pursue to create awareness and opportunities of Native American and Alaskan Indian culture. Also, to educate the public and encourage others to do so as well.