Clubs and Organizations

The purpose of ACC’s Student Government Association (SGA) is to:

• Represent ACC students in matters concerning student interests and welfare as well as student-generated activity fees.
• Promote cooperation and understanding between the administration, faculty, staff, community and ACC students.
• Encourage ACC students to participate in collegiate activities and exert influence in the decision-making process.
• Promote students’ rights and provide a means of organized expression in college affairs, activities, and policies.
• Provide a forum for educational experiences outside the classroom atmosphere.

2021-2022 SGA Officers

• President - Jacob Davies
• Vice President - Jack Reader
• Secretary - Matteo Coscia
• Treasurer - Emmanuel Welch
• Inclusive Excellence Officer - Dayriana Sanders
• State Student Advisory Committee (SSAC) Representative – Branda Bell
• Senators
  • Speaker of the Senate - Kathryn Smith
  • Parker Campus Senator - Vacant
  • Sturm Collaboration Campus Senator - Vacant
  • Littleton Campus Senators
    • Alex Graser
    • Gabrielle Mabry
    • Kathryn Smith
    • There are currently 2 vacant Senator positions

Meeting Minutes

SGA meets weekly during the fall and spring semesters. Meetings are currently held on Tuesdays from 3:30-5:00pm. Any student may attend. Minutes for these meetings will be available within two weeks of each meeting. Contact SGA’s Advisor, Dan Balski, for more information: dan [dot] balski [at] arapahoe [dot] edu.

SGA Positions and Responsibilities

• The President of SGA is the students' voice to campus administration. The President communicates with individuals and groups to ensure that the needs of our students are heard. The President also coordinates and presides over all SGA meetings.
• The Vice President performs the duties of the President in the President's absence. The Vice President assists the President in managing the operations of the organization and is responsible for SGA outreach events and programs.
• The Treasurer is responsible for SGA financial matters and keeps an accurate account of all funds received and spent. The Treasurer serves as a custodian of all financial records and funds for SGA.
• The Secretary serves as the recorder for SGA meetings and is responsible for the production and distribution of meeting minutes. The Secretary assists with coordinating logistics for SGA events.
• The Inclusive Excellence Officer coordinates SGA initiatives to promote a welcoming college climate and advocate for equity in student experiences. The Inclusive Excellence Officer serves as the SGA student liaison to student affinity groups, ACC’s Inclusive Excellence Council, and ACC’s Chief Inclusive Excellence Officer.
• The SSAC Representative is the voice of ACC students to the State Student Advisory Council (SSAC) for the Colorado Community College System (CCCS). The SSAC Representative travels to monthly meetings with SSAC Representatives from around Colorado. This student must be enrolled in 9 credit hours during both Fall and Spring semesters.
• SGA’s Senators (7 positions) assist in representing and advocating for the student voice, supporting outreach efforts of SGA, establishing goals for student success, and advancing projects for SGA through individual efforts and committee participation.
  • One Senator position will be reserved for a student whose home campus is Parker and one for a student whose home campus is Sturm Collaboration Campus at Castle Rock. These Senators will be able to remotely participate in SGA meetings.

Why should I become involved with SGA?

Involvement in SGA is a great way to develop leadership skills, enhance your resume, and have a positive impact at ACC! As a member, you will have opportunities to gain beneficial experience by participating in retreats, serving on college committees, planning campus events, and advocating to the administration on behalf of your fellow students. Along with a multitude of benefits of this leadership role, SGA members receive compensation for their service.

How do I become an elected member of ACC’s SGA?

• SGA applications are available online.
  An election process is held annually in April, with the student body selecting winners. Any vacant positions may be filled by candidates interviewed and voted upon by the elected SGA. Students may also volunteer with SGA.
• Upon election, students must successfully complete a background check and all necessary paperwork with the Human Resources Office. A student cannot begin serving as a member of SGA until this is completed.

What are the responsibilities after I am elected?

• Represent and advocate for the ACC student voice, create and implement outreach efforts, establish goals for student success, and advance projects for SGA through individual efforts and committee participation.
• Be available for weekly SGA meetings and dedicate adequate time for office hours, trainings, outreach events, etc.
• You must be enrolled in six (6) credit hours at ACC during the fall and spring semesters. The SSAC Representative must be enrolled in nine (9) credit hours.
• You must have a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.5 and be a student in good judicial standing.

Advisor: Dan Balski – dan [dot] balski [at] arapahoe [dot] edu

The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) at Arapahoe Community College is an honors society with a mission to “Build Leaders to Make a Better World.” The NSLS is the largest leadership honor society in the United States. Our NSLS chapter at ACC was started in 2017. Our local chapter is part of the national organization with 700+ chapters and over 1.4 million members. 

In pursuit of this mission, membership provides students with opportunities to connect with other student leaders, pursue helpful goals, and develop their leadership skills, which can help them succeed in their personal life and professional career. The Greek letters of our society, Sigma Alpha Pi, represent the success, action, and purpose of our membership.

Eligibility 

Students are invited to our chapter on the basis of achieving a minimum GPA of a 2.5, along with the completion of a minimum of 3 credit hours.

How do I join?

Once invited, students are asked to pay a one-time, lifetime fee of $95 to join. This fee helps support local chapter events and the needs of the national office, which allows the society to provide fantastic resources to members such as scholarship opportunities and more.

Membership Benefits

As of 2021, we have 1,692 members who have access to:

• A step-by-step program to build their leadership skills
• More than $400,000 in scholarships
• An exclusive NSLS job board
• A personalized letter of recommendation

The NSLS leadership program teaches the interpersonal skills that employers seek to give you an edge in the job market. Hear directly from current members as they share how their experience has changed their life.

If you become a member, some of the other benefits are:

• Learning from exceptional leaders like former President Barack Obama during exclusive Speaker Broadcasts
• Meeting new friends and make lifelong connections (on-campus and virtually)
• Overcoming challenges with success coaches shortcutting your way to success
• Gaining access to private networking events

Becoming an Inducted Member of NSLS

Our 5-step program takes approximately 12 hours over the course of the semester at your own pace. The 5 steps are: Orientation, Leadership Training Day, Speaker Broadcasts, Success Networking Teams, and Induction. Learn more about the NSLS Membership Experience.

More information

Visit the NSLS website to learn more or or contact one of our Advisors.

Advisors:
Dan Balski - dan [dot] balski [at] arapahoe [dot] edu 
Jess Horning - jessica [dot] horning [at] arapahoe [dot] edu

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is the International Honor Society for 2-year Colleges

The mission of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize academic achievement of college students and to provide opportunities for them to grow as scholars and leaders. PTK makes this happen for millions of college students through the hallmarks of Scholarship, Fellowship, Leadership and Service.

Phi Theta Kappa was established in 1918 to recognize and encourage scholarship among Associate degree students. The ACC Sigma Phi chapter was chartered in 1968. We have inducted over 3300 members and have maintained a five star status for over 15 years.

You may be eligible if you:

• have a 3.5 or higher GPA at Arapahoe Community College
• have declared degree or certificate program
• have completed 12 credit hours or more in a degree program, or 6 credits or more in a certificate program at ACC

How do I join?

Invitation Info

Membership Benefits

• Membership is an honor and a privilege reserved for high-achieving students
• Once accepted, you become a lifetime member of Phi Theta Kappa
• Phi Theta Kappa membership qualifies you for exclusive scholarships
• As an honor student, Phi Theta Kappa gives you the opportunity to work with other high-achieving students on projects that make a difference in the community and the world at large
• Take your involvement further and become an officer with PTK. Check out the PTK Bylaws for information about the officer positions. 

More information

• Visit www.ptk.org for information about the Phi Theta Kappa International Society

Advisors:

Jennifer Husum - jennifer [dot] husum [at] arapahoe [dot] edu
Patricia Anderson - patricia [dot] anderson [at] arapahoe [dot] edu

The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a nationally recognized non-profit organization chartered by congress for chemists around the globe. The ACC chapter of the ACS is involved in undergraduate chemistry research projects as well as local area STEM outreach activities.  

Advisor: Jacob Johnson - jacob [dot] johnson [at] arapahoe [dot] edu

We bring people together to view the night sky through a telescope and learn about the Universe. We are a club dedicated to the observation and study of the cosmos. 

Advisor: Jennifer Jones – jennifer [dot] jones [at] arapahoe [dot] edu

Some of your most cherished childhood memories may have been playing board games as a child. The Board Game Club promotes all forms of non-electronic gaming once a week. Enjoy playing board games and card games, camaraderie with fellow students, and having a good time. We have many of the newest board games, and if you own a game you’d like to play, bring it with you. Here, we don’t take the competition too seriously, be a humble winner and a gracious loser, just have fun.

Advisor: Bill Berech – william [dot] berech [at] arapahoe [dot] edu

We promote individuality through the clay medium and promote general interest and stimulate a desire for excellence in clay work.

Advisor: Katie Caron - katie [dot] caron [at] arapahoe [dot] edu

Join the Creative Writing Club (CWC) to meet fellow writers on campus—you do not have to be in a creative writing class to join! As with any club, the CWC is what the students want it to be. In the past, they’ve held regular workshops for each other, had guest writers come visit with them, attended a comic con, and cool stuff like that!

Advisor: Jamey Trotter - jamey [dot] trotter [at] arapahoe [dot] edu

We develop the minds and skills of the students pursuing careers in the work of cybersecurity by giving them the ability to gain meaningful occupation experience through local, regional and national competitions.

Advisor: Mark Andre - mark [dot] andre [at] arapahoe [dot] edu
Student Advisor: Reise Robertson - rrobertson33 [at] student [dot] cccs [dot] edu

With a community of peers, we share thoughts and ideas around the Early Childhood profession.

Advisor: Kathy Sutherland - kathleen [dot] sutherland [at] arapahoe [dot] edu

We promote disability awareness to educate the campus community.

Advisor: Danielle Batten - danielle [dot] batten [at] arapahoe [dot] edu

The Arapahoe Community College History Club seeks to bring together history enthusiasts from across the campus community to discuss and commemorate the past in fun and creative ways The History Club is also a location for History and other majors to network with their peers and professors.

Advisor: Elijah Dicks – elijah [dot] dicks [at] arapahoe [dot] edu

Advisor: Amy Bailey – amy [dot] bailey [at] arapahoe [dot] edu

To promote growth and cultivate skills in the journalism/communication areas at ACC. We seek writers and photographers interested in participation in an award-winning publication.

Advisor: Andrea Mason - andrea [dot] mason [at] arapahoe [dot] edu

Whether you are new to meditation or want to develop your practice, The Meditation Club is a great place to cultivate more peace in your life.

Advisor: Nina Gomez - christina [dot] gomez [at] arapahoe [dot] edu

We explore different types of music both new and old as well as having fun doing all sorts of activities!

To find out more email Adrian Montoya, President - amontoya288 [at] student [dot] cccs [dot] edu

Advisor: Chuck Haarhues - charles [dot] haarues [at] arapahoe [dot] edu

The Peer Nurse Mentoring Experience aims to develop and strengthen leadership, communication, critical thinking skills, and more built on a foundation of academic excellence, personal involvement, community, and leadership. Nursing student mentees and mentors will work together to push one another towards success through peer support and guidance and promoting a collaborative learning environment.

Contacts:

President: Dayriana Sanders – dsanders9 [at] student [dot] cccs [dot] edu
Advisor: Nancy Finnegan – nancy [dot] finnegan [at] arapahoe [dot] edu

We provide a social and professional group for students interested in physical therapy, rehabilitation, and health and wellness.

Advisor: Ashley Vasquez - ashley [dot] vasquez [at] arapahoe [dot] edu

Come run with the ACC student Running Club! Whether you’re a “barely doing a mile” to a marathoner, we’ll have something for you. Training runs will be held twice a week, departing and returning to the main campus, and official weekend runs will be paid for to run 1 -2 times per month. The club plans to do the Colfax Marathon Relay and the Run the Rocks 5K or 10K at Red Rocks Amphitheatre (both races are in October). The club will also participate in other themed races in November and December.

Advisor: Meredith Tofield - meredith [dot] tofield [at] arapahoe [dot] edu

We are a set of teams that design experiments. Funded by NASA.

Advisor: Jennifer Jones - jennifer [dot] jones [at] arapahoe [dot] edu

We are a social/academic support club for students majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. We host fun activities, workshops, and trips for members and the general campus population. Our goal is to achieve more expertise in STEM fields, make connections with like-minded students, and learn from each other. 

Advisor: Julie Bruce - julie [dot] bruce [at] arapahoe [dot] edu

We were organized to help students who are going on the study abroad trips in raising money and connecting with fellow travelers.

Advisor: Trish Sangelo - trish [dot] sangelo [at] arapahoe [dot] edu