Skip to main content

Student Organizations

Be a part of something bigger

Students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities while enrolled at the College. The College embraces the belief that student activities serve to support the academic programs and provide students with the opportunity to develop the soft skills needed to be successful in the workplace. These soft skills include good communication skills, the ability to work as a team, and the opportunity to develop and demonstrate leadership skills.

Students are encouraged to participate in clubs and organizations. The following student organizations are available for students to compete in competitions, to develop team-building and leadership skills, and to network with industry professionals.


Cyber Security Club

The Cyber Security Club was established in the fall of 2012 to engage students in the latest trends in cybersecurity. The Cyber club holds monthly meetings and hosts an annual cyber security conference.

Goal
Our goal is to engage students in learning about cyber security trends and technologies that are sweeping the IT security world and providing insights on the latest issues impacting this field.

Motto
“Preparing cyber soldiers for tomorrow today.”

Entrepreneurship Club (E-Club)

The mission of the E-Club is to help members foster their ideas as well as to educate them on becoming an entrepreneur. The significance of values such as hard work, risk taking, organization, and self-determination will be reinforced from promotion of entrepreneurship within our community and the college. Our focus will be to provide a channel for student and community members to gather information and insights in developing and owning a business.

Membership is free.

International Association of Administrative Professionals

International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) is a non-profit professional association serving the administrative profession. IAAP is dedicated to helping office and administrative professionals advance their career in a demanding and ever-changing business environment. We are focused on preparing admins and stakeholders for what matters now and what’s ahead. We enhance the value that admins bring to the table and advocate for the profession as it evolves to encompass the role of business partner and leader. IAAP provides admins with the knowledge, skills, and insights that build toward job advancement, success, and recognition. We also provide a community of individuals who have shared goals, responsibilities, challenges, opportunities, and strengths.

The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) is a not-for-profit professional association with approximately 40,000 members and affiliates and nearly 600 chapters worldwide. IAAP works in partnership with employers to promote professional excellence.

IAAP’s mission is to be the acknowledged recognized leader of administrative professionals and to enhance their individual and collective value, image, competence, and influence. IAAP’s purpose is to provide information, education, and training and to set standards of excellence recognized by the business community from a global perspective.

IAAP’s objectives are to elevate the standards of all administrative professionals and to promote their working relationships with management through continuing education, authorized programs, and publications.

IAAP’s vision is to inspire and equip all administrative professionals to attain excellence.

Student membership cost: $70

Medical Assisting Technology Club

Drake State’s Medical Assisting Technology (MAT) Club meets monthly to discuss student concerns, plan community outreach activities, and interact with various allied health professionals. Students are encouraged to become a member of this club and the American Medical Technologists (AMT) organization, which is a national organization for allied health professionals. They have programs designed specifically for students. It is a goal of the MAT Club to attend AMT annual meetings in the future.

Lauren Burruss, Advisor, MSN, RN
256-551-7284
lauren.burruss@drakestate.edu

National Technical Honor Society

The National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) is an educational non-profit that exists to honor, recognize, and empower students and teachers in Career & Technical Education (CTE). As the CTE honor society, NTHS serves over 100,000 active members annually in both secondary and postsecondary chapters across the country. Since its founding in 1984, nearly one million students have become NTHS alumni. NTHS provides close to $300,000 in scholarships annually, and strives to help connect education and industry to build a highly skilled workforce. NTHS members receive a membership certificate in a professional presentation portfolio, an official NTHS diploma seal, graduation tassel, lapel pin, and window decal to show their affiliation with NTHS.

Ed Forbes, Advisor
256-551-1707
ed.forbes@drakestate.edu

Phi Beta Lambda

Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda was chartered on the campus of Drake State Community & Technical College on March 12, 1986. The charter members were Mamie Handy and Saundra Patterson.

Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) is an organization for student members preparing for careers in business. Our mission is to bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership development programs.

Why Join?

  • To develop leadership skills
  • To strengthen confidence in yourself and your work
  • To develop contacts with prospective employers
  • To establish career goals
  • To participate in projects to better the community]

Mission: To bring business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership development programs.

Student membership cost: $20

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

Requirements for PTK:

  • Be enrolled in an institution that has a Phi Theta Kappa chapter
  • Have completed at least 12 hours of coursework toward an associate or bachelor’s degree or at least 6 hours of coursework toward a certificate of one year
  • Generally, have a cumulative 3.8 grade point average

Mission

The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa shall be to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students. To achieve this purpose, Phi Theta Kappa shall provide opportunities for the development of leadership and service, for an intellectual climate for exchange of ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship for scholars, and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence.

Phi Theta Kappa’s mission is two-fold:

  • To recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students
  • To provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service, and fellowship programming.
S.C. O’Neal, Sr. Library and Technology Center Book Club

Welcome to Drake State’s book club – the Blue Eagle Book Club. This book club is for students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community patrons interested in  reading and discussing current or compelling books for the enlightenment and enrichment of all members.

A frank and open discussion of each book is encouraged with all members showing respect for the viewpoints of others. Books will be chosen on a general consensus basis and voted on among members, with the intent of avoiding controversial topics.

Meetings will be held on a monthly basis. Officers will be selected by members and meetings will follow Robert’s Rules of Order. The library staff will provide copies of the books to be read and discussed as well as any snacks/refreshments to be served.

Carla Clift, Advisor
256-551-3120
cala.clift@drakestate.edu

Dennis Borden
256-551-7211
dennis.borden@drakestate.edu

SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. We help each student excel. A nonprofit national education association, SkillsUSA serves middle-school, high-school, and college/postsecondary students preparing for careers in trade, technical, health, and skilled service occupations.

Mission

SkillsUSA empowers its members to become world-class workers, leaders, and responsible American citizens. We improve the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce through the development of SkillsUSA Framework skills that include personal, workplace, and technical skills grounded in academics. Our vision is to produce the most highly skilled workforce in the world, providing every member the opportunity for career success.

How to join

  • All students are registered and paid as a SkillsUSA member under the State-sponsored Campus Affiliation Plan.
  • You may opt-out of this membership by contacting your program advisor or Mrs. Neoka Hambrick in the Financial Aid office.
  • All memberships will be officially submitted on the final day of the Fall term or January 30 of the Spring term.

Neoka Hambrick, Advisor, MSN, RN
256-551-3127
neoka.hambrick@drakestate.edu

Student Ambassador Program

The Student Ambassador Program is a leadership program that offers Drake State students an opportunity to represent and promote Drake State to prospective students, their families, and other guests. Student Ambassadors will be able to help educate visitors about the campus life, history, traditions, and achievements of the college through conducting campus tours, supporting high school recruitment events, and supporting other college functions.

Student Ambassador Role

Student Ambassadors represent a group of positive, enthusiastic, and well-informed representatives of the student body, who are interested in working with faculty, staff, and students to promote the college’s programs and services.

Duties:

  • Provide assistance during peak registration periods
  • Participate in visits to area high schools and college fairs to present the benefits of the Drake State experience
  • Assist in providing campus tours
  • Assist during special events and college-sponsored activities
  • Meet and greet prospective students, families, alumni, and special guests
  • Complete a community service project annually

Student Ambassador Qualifications

  • Must have and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Interest in leadership and/or community service experience
  • Must have successfully completed a minimum of 9 credit hours at Drake State
  • Interest in developing your skills in interpersonal communications and be able to effectively relate with people of diverse cultural, social, and educational backgrounds
  • Must be a student in good standing and not on Academic, Progress, or Disciplinary Probation
  • Must commit to serving a full academic year

Official Recognition of Campus Organizations

Procedures for Obtaining Official Recognition Chartering

The College encourages extracurricular activities that develop individual initiative, group leadership, and cooperation. Student organizations and activities must be faculty and/or staff sponsored and must be approved by the College President.

Any group wishing to organize on campus must receive permission from the Dean of Students and the President by submitting a written request for approval.

  • The following information should be included in the written request
  • The name of the organization
  • A statement of purpose of the organization
  • The membership eligibility requirements
  • A list of officers by title and the specific function of each office
  • A statement of terms of the officers and the time and method of election
  • Proposed meeting schedule
  • A statement of membership dues, including the amount and frequency of payment and provision for the disposition of any funds in the event of dissolution of the organization
  • Names and titles of club advisor(s).

Temporary Recognition

Temporary recognition may be given to organizations upon the completion, submission, and approval of the above information. The organization must submit an official charter within one semester.

Review and Approval

A copy of the proposed constitution must be submitted to the Dean of Students for suggestions, recommendations, and approval. A written appeal may be made in the event that official recognition is withheld. The President of the College will make the final decision. A group may not sponsor activities during the time that its application for recognition is being considered or an appeal is being made.

After receiving approval, any changes in advisors, or any amendment affecting the nature or purpose of the organization as originally stated must be approved by the Dean of Students.