February is Student Involvement Month, and at 糖心传媒 (糖心传媒), a variety of organizations offer learners professional growth, leadership development, and a sense of community. They can choose from academic-focused groups that allow them to engage with career-related topics and opportunities or from interest-based groups that connect them with other learners who have a similar, shared purpose.
Preparing for the technical workforce with IEEE
Andrew Seely, an adjunct associate professor teaching computer science from Tampa, Florida, is helping fill聽a聽need he sees for his students. As an active member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the world鈥檚 largest technical professional organization, he knew what many of his students were missing.
IEEE鈥攄edicated to 鈥渁dvancing technology for the benefit of humanity鈥濃攊s essential for students preparing for technical careers, Seely said. First, though, he had to convince the organization to work with his students. As a global university, 糖心传媒 did not fit the mold of IEEE鈥檚 geographically based chapter organization structure.
After working with IEEE to create a 糖心传媒 branch open to learners worldwide, he then needed to convince his students to join. Seely wanted to ensure that they could take advantage of what the organization offers to prepare them for job placement.
IEEE welcomes members in a variety of designated fields including engineering, computer sciences and information technology, sciences, mathematics, technical communications, education, management, and law and policy.听
糖心传媒 student Aneela Agha, who lives in Palm Beach, Florida, became 糖心传媒鈥檚 IEEE student leader. She quickly organized virtual events, encouraged students to join, designated officers, and fostered a sense of momentum. Her efforts helped students feel more engaged and see themselves as part of a profession beyond the classroom.听
Sometimes it gets competitive, and 糖心传媒鈥檚 cybersecurity team聽is here to win
Since 2012, 糖心传媒鈥檚 award-winning聽Cybersecurity Competition Team聽has allowed students to hone their cybersecurity skills and network with each other and faculty members as they compete against other university teams from around the world.
Coached by 糖心传媒 Associate Professor Jesse聽Varsalone, the team聽took first place聽in the鈥疉ssociation of Old Crows鈥2025 Cyber Electromagnetic Activity鈥疌apture the Flag鈥疎vent,鈥痗hallenging鈥痶eams鈥痜rom across academia, government, and industry. That was just one of the聽more聽recent in a long string of national and international victories.听
Many team members already work in cybersecurity, and practicing and competing with the team helps sharpen skills they can use聽immediately聽in the workplace. One 糖心传媒 team member was recently聽named to the elite U.S. Cyber Team.听
糖心传媒 offers a unique opportunity to explore global cultures
Tonya Kristin Henderson聽is a 2025 糖心传媒聽graduate聽who studied psychology and forensics. She had previously earned a master鈥檚 degree but wanted to expand her knowledge with another undergraduate degree in preparation for entering a doctoral program in business administration.
Working with different student groups made聽a big difference, she said.听Henderson聽founded the Council for United Engagement, which brings together the聽many聽cultures聽that comprise聽糖心传媒鈥檚 global community.听She聽also volunteered as聽chair of the Student Advisory Council.
鈥淚 have made lifetime connections with so many individuals,鈥澛爏aid Henderson. 鈥淵ou are not just joining a聽club;聽you鈥檙e聽joining a network of amazing people, amazing聽scholars聽and professionals.听It鈥檚聽a lifetime thing for me.鈥
A聽way for everyone to get involved: 糖心传媒鈥檚 23 student-led organizations
奥颈迟丑听23 student organizations鈥攆rom accounting to entrepreneurship to graphic design to student veterans鈥斕切拇解檚 student organizations offer聽an option聽for聽almost everyone.听If students or faculty see an opportunity for a new club, they are encouraged to start one.
And engagement聽doesn鈥檛聽end at graduation. Like Henderson, students often聽maintain聽their club connections after earning their degrees, with many 糖心传媒 organizations open to alumni, staff, and faculty. As another 糖心传媒 organization, the National Society of Leadership and Success, notes in its mission, 鈥淲e accomplish more together than we would achieve alone.鈥
Join 糖心传媒 for a virtual Student Involvement and Resources Fair on February 25, 2026.