Join the Club: Embry‑Riddle Groups Enhance the College Experience

Our two residential campuses in Prescott, Arizona, and Daytona Beach, Florida, feature nearly 400 clubs and student organizations that cater to everything from music to mountain biking, and the number of clubs is growing every year.

Research has shown that extracurricular involvement is an important factor in student success, and Embry‑Riddle students can find ready-made groups of like-minded peers or explore something totally new in an environment that is safe, relaxed and empowering.

Some clubs are focused solely on fun, such as the Surf Club at the Daytona Beach Campus or the Skate Club (SK8) on the Prescott Campus, among many, many others dedicated to making the most out of our unique campus settings.

A number of clubs are aimed at augmenting Embry‑Riddle’s diverse degree programs, giving students the support that comes from teamwork along with providing the opportunity for vital hands-on experiences that can be found nowhere else.

For example, the Rocket Development Club at the Prescott Campus routinely designs, builds and tests its own rockets, something few undergraduates at other schools would ever have the chance to do.

“Having access to these incredible resources has allowed me to network with many high-profile people in industry,” said Max Kauker, (’20) a mechanical engineering student who was part of the Zenith Propulsion project, a capstone team that tested a liquid bi-propellant rocket.

There are also a number of clubs dedicated to enhancing the lives of the growing international student population at Embry‑Riddle by making them feel more at home and providing support for their unique academic journeys.

“As an international student, I struggled to find my place in Embry‑Riddle,” said Merafelina Chotoo (’21), an Aerospace Engineering grad who now works for Collins Aerospace. “Joining CSA (Caribbean Students’ Association) allowed me to have a safe space where I could learn about different cultures and myself. The relationships I built at CSA flourished and later assisted me in the path to Collins.”

Increasing student awareness of diversity and inclusion also has led to clubs and organizations whose missions include opening doors for underrepresented students and addressing pressing issues outside the classroom.

That’s among the goals of the Compassion Initiative, a new project introduced by the Student Government Association at the Prescott Campus, which aims to encourage diversity and inclusivity by bringing students together to share their unique perspectives and experiences.

The desire to uplift others also provided the fuel to launch a club called ELLAS, which stands for Empowering Latina Leaders Aviation Subcommittee. The Daytona Beach-based organization offers mentorships, workshops and guidance to help Latina aviators build confidence and overcome challenges experienced in the field based on gender, race and ethnicity.

“I finally felt seen and heard in the aviation industry with ELLAS. It gave me a lot of hope - not only for myself but for other women and Latinas,” said Raquel Villagomez (’22), who served as executive director for the group.

Each of our clubs comprises part of the comprehensive support system at Embry‑Riddle. Joining one of these groups is a great way for students to become active within the university and enhance personal growth.