Student Organizations
Clubs and organizations play a big part in many high school students’ lives. Whether you were the president of Future Business Leaders of America, the secretary of student council or the publicity chair for your drama club, those interactions led to life-long friendships, provided leadership experience and taught invaluable networking skills.
If you were involved in clubs and organizations in high school, you might feel lost on campus without a group to call your own. If you weren’t involved in high school but secretly wished you had been, here’s your second chance! College of Human Ecology student organizations and interest groups provide opportunities for experiential learning, networking, national and international competitions, travel, volunteer experiences, mentoring experiences, social events, friendships and fun. Consider joining the following groups when you get to campus:
American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC)
AATCC is open to graduate students in Apparel and Textiles. This organization provides a forum for social interaction among graduate students, experiences that will enhance their learning about textile products, interaction with industry personnel, and opportunities for professional travel. Contact for more information.
American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)
This student chapter of the national professional organization promotes fellowship, cooperation and a spirit of unity between students and professionals. As you attend seminars, workshops and field trips, and participate in competitions, you will meet and learn from other stuents as well as design professionals. This group collaborates and meets jointly with the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) student chapter. Contact for more information.
Apparel Marketing and Design Alliance (AMDA)
Complement classroom learning through AMDA membership! This organization provides students with a rich background about careers in the textile, apparel design and manufacturing, and apparel retail areas through interaction with industry professional and peers. Students organize an annual fashion show and other service learning experiences to promote the academic program. Contact for more information.
Club Manager’s Association of America (CMAA)
CMAA helps students gain a better understanding of private club management and in selecting a career in this sector of the hospitality industry. This national association with about 7,000 members represents the more than 3,000 country, city, athletic, faculty, yacht, town and military clubs throughout the United States and abroad. CMAA promotes and advances friendly relations between and among persons connected with the management of clubs and other associations of similar character, encourages the education and professional advancement of its members, and assists club officers and member to secure the utmost in efficient and successful operations. Contact for more information.
Early Childhood Education Interest Group (ECE)
Learn what it’s really like to work in the early childhood profession. This organization provides information and resources to early childhood majors in order to benefit them during their college career and beyond. Group members often attend the National Association for the Education of Young Children annual conference, participate in KSU Open Houses and Telefund, and plan other professional development activities. Contact or for more information.
Eta Sigma Delta Honorary Society
An international honor society for students with an excellent academic record in the hospitality and tourism industry, Eta Sigma Delta invites juniors and seniors who have a GPA of at least 3.0 or who are in the top 20 percent of their class to apply. Members have opportunities to distinguish themselves in the eyes of educators, recruiters and industry executives in an increasingly competitive industry. Students receive networking benefits between ESD societies at more than 60 other chapters. Contact for more information.
Family and Consumer Sciences Interest Group
All students within the College of Human Ecology are eligible for membership in this interest group, which provides professional development opportunities and promotes the national theme of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. For more information, contact .
Family Studies and Human Services Interest Group (FSHS)
This group unites students in the various FSHS majors and provides service to the community, university and its membership. Annually, the group completes a community service project, in addition to supporting KSU Telefund and Open House. For more information, contact .
Fruit of the Fight (FOF)
The members targeted in FOF are those who have a passion for general public health. Therefore, the club is mostly geared to those who have been personally affected by disease or are at risk for a disease due to family history, or have a strong passion for health as either future health professionals or health educators. Three goals of FOF are education, promotion of a healthy lifestyle, and fundraising. Although the incidence of infectious disease has diminished, the threat of chronic, noninfectious disease has grown to pose a major threat due to the lack of exercise, bad diets, and unhealthy lifestyle choices of many Americans. By achieving the goals of education, promotion, and fundraising, FOF members will truly define the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Contact for more information.
Future Financial Planners (FFP)
Students enrolled in one of the financial planning programs are eligible to participate in this organization, which explores new ways to enrich academic experiences and better prepare students for the workforce. Hands-on work with the Invest-A-Cats program gives FFP students opportunities to raise money and manage a portfolio of funds, which are used to provide student scholarships and enhance the program. Contact or for more information.
Health & Nutrition Society
Explore all areas of human nutrition and enhance your knowledge/skills as an individual preparing for a career in this field. This group gives students a wide perspective on human nutrition at the individual, community and worldwide levels. It teaches professional and leadership skills and provides opportunities for individual and group activities and community service activities related to human nutrition. Contact for more information.
Hospitality Management Society
Students learn firsthand about issues and opportunities in the hospitality industry and its related fields, while assisting in networking and personal development. HMS participation enhances classroom learning, increases the visibility of hospitality management and its career opportunities, and stimulates the flow of information between members and alumni, faculty and professionals. Contact for more information.
Human Ecology Ambassadors
Promote the College of Human Ecology to prospective students, alumni, campus visitors and current students. Ambassadors must be full-time CHE majors with a GPA of 2.75 or higher and successfully complete the application and interview process. For more information, contact Karen Pence at .
Human Ecology Council
Human Ecology Council consists of student executive members, standing committee members, one representative from each interest group within the College, and student senators elected to the University’s Student Governing Board. The Council provides a forum for CHE student concerns, fosters internal communication, provides support and governance for the College, serves as a cohesive force for student organizations, interprets and publicizes the functions and activities of the College, sponsors programs and activities for students, and provides opportunities for leadership development. Contact for more information.
Human Nutrition Graduate Student Organization
Current graduate students in Human Nutrition are automatically members of the HNGSO. The organization´s objectives are the following:
- To serve as a medium for communication among graduate students in Human Nutrition.
- To establish a communication link between the graduate students and the faculty members in the department of Human Nutrition and the College of Human Ecology.
- To promote activities that further student interest and professional growth in the field of Human Nutrition.
Contact for more information.
International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
This professional nonprofit networking association represents all specialties within the interior design profession. This student chapter will enhance student knowledge of the interior design profession with guest speakers from the industry, internships and trips to visit with professionals and the firms they work in. For more information, contact .
Kappa Omicron Nu
KON is a national honor society dedicated to recognizing and encouraging excellence in scholarship, research and leadership in Human Ecology. Undergraduate students nominated for membership in the society will have declared a major in the College of Human Ecology, have completed 45 semester hours or the equivalent, have 15 or more K-State hours, and have a minimum GPA of 3.5 or rank in the top 10% of their class within the College. Nominated graduate students must be enrolled in one of the College’s specializations and have completed 15 semester hours of graduate work at K-State and have a minimum GPA of 3.7. Initiation is held each fall and spring. For more information, contact .
K-State Student Speech, Hearing and Language Association (KSSSHLA)
The K-State chapter of this national student organization encourages professional interest among college and university students in the study of normal and disordered human communication. All students not yet eligible for membership in the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association are eligible for membership in this student chapter. For more information, contact or .
Phi Upsilon Omicron (Phi U)
This honor society promotes scholarship and leadership in the field of family and consumer sciences. It strives to promote the growth and development of human ecology and establish and strengthen the bonds of friendship among members. Candidates for membership include undergraduate students majoring in human ecology with a minimum of 40 semester hours and cumulative KSU GPA ranked in the highest 35% of his or her class. Graduate students must have a GPA of 3.2 or higher after 12 completed hours. Candidates also must have a record of interest in out-of-class activities and have demonstrated qualities of leadership, a spirit of service, and the ability to cooperate. For more information, contact .
Student Dietetic Association
Learn about the fascinating opportunities in the field of dietetics. Students in SDA network with registered dietitians in practice, faculty and peers through programs and socials. SDA also supports the college and the community through a variety of service projects. All interested students are invited to learn more about health, nutrition and foodservice management in this interest group. Contact for more information.