Madison Reporter

This week’s Student Organization Fair provides students with the opportunity to explore hundreds of registered student organizations on campus, ranging from engineering and business to yoga. The event is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Kohl Center.

Three students shared their experiences of making new friends and engaging in new activities through student organizations.

Valerie Rehn, a third-year civil engineering student, has joined three engineering-focused groups: Engineers Without Borders, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Society of Women Engineers. This fall, she plans to explore nature or mindfulness-related organizations at the fair as a healthy outlet for balance during the school year. Rehn serves as the publicity coordinator for Engineers Without Borders, a non-profit that collaborates with disadvantaged communities to implement sustainable solutions. She became involved in their Uganda project in spring 2023 and traveled there in May 2023 to assist with building a school.

“I traveled with a team of people with different degrees at all different levels and learned a lot about how an engineering team works and the good it can bring to the world,” said Rehn.

Adrian Asani, a third-year mechanical engineering student, participates in two distinct organizations: the Audubon Society and the SAE Baja Team. The SAE Baja Team focuses on designing and building off-road vehicles for hands-on learning about engineering design. In contrast, the Audubon Society is dedicated to bird study and nature appreciation. Asani joined in his second year at UW–Madison and finds it an outlet for relaxation amidst college stresses.

“It’s not just focused on looking at birds. It’s people who want to take advantage of the fact that we have such a nice nature preserve on campus,” Asani explained.

Sydney Claflin, a fourth-year journalism student, is currently president of the Association for Women in Communications (AWC), which supports female or female-identifying students in communications fields. Claflin joined AWC in her first year hoping it would help her determine her career path within communications. The organization invites women from diverse backgrounds in communications to speak to members about their careers.

“My favorite part is being able to help younger college students navigate college and their future careers,” Claflin stated.

Claflin also values the community she has built within AWC. “The other part I love is being surrounded by women who help me and have become my really good friends,” she added.