Get Involved in Vaughn’s Clubs, Organizations and Activities
Outside the classroom Vaughn students get together, work together and have fun together in our student clubs, professional organizations, honor societies and intercollegiate athletics. Build lifelong relationships, enhance your college experience and develop leadership skills. Staying involved during your academic journey can contribute to your future success. Membership in organizations is open to all students without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status or any other protected characteristic.
Vaughn students participate in national competitions, develop research in areas of their interest and receive mentorship from our expert faculty. Students gain valuable experience for their résumés and interviews and network with industry professionals.
To find out more about meeting times and locations—or how you can start a new club here at Vaughn—contact the coordinator of student activities and engagement at 718.429.6600, extension 141.
Professional Organizations
These are student run organizations that have a national affiliation with a professional group. In addition to the organizations detailed below, Vaughn has the following:
- Circle K
- Latino Pilots Association (LPA)
- Organization of Black Professional Engineers (OBAP)
- Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP)
AAAE is the world’s largest professional organization for airport executives and connects students to the aviation management world. The College has a local chapter of this national organization, which works to promote, develop and instill professional attitudes in students who are engaged in the study of airport development and administration.
The IEEE is an international organization, established to encourage interest in the field of electricity and electronics. All members receive the IEEE journal and are encouraged to attend the annual convention. Guest speakers are invited to lecture on various topics of interest.
The NSBE aims to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community. NSBE is committed to equipping all students and professionals with the technical expertise, leadership skills and industry connections needed to drive economic and technological progress.
The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) is the nation’s largest leadership honor society in the United States, with more than 1.5 million members and 700+ chapters nationwide and Vaughn has recently established a chapter on campus. The NSLS differentiates itself from traditional honor societies in that students must complete a step-by-step leadership development program to be inducted. The curriculum offers students the opportunity to develop many in-demand skills such as leadership, communications and team building. Thanks to a partnership with United Airlines, membership fees are covered, making it accessible to all qualifying students. Since March 2022, 86 students have been inducted, with 239 accepting membership, enhancing their leadership skills and career readiness.
The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) changes lives by empowering the Hispanic community to realize its fullest potential and to impact the world through STEM awareness, access, support and development. Vaughn hosts a chapter of the national organization.
The vision of the Society of Women Engineers is to create a world with gender parity and equality in engineering and technology. Vaughn hosts a chapter of the national organization.
The Vaughn College chapter of Women in Aviation is dedicated to living out the mission of the international non-profit organization that envisions a world where the sky is open to all and where aviation and aerospace dreams are possible without barriers, by providing networking, education, mentoring and scholarship opportunities for women (and men) who are striving for challenging and fulfilling careers in the aviation and aerospace industries.
Cocurricular
These are student organizations that are professional or academic based groups. In addition to the organizations described below, Vaughn also has the following:
- Aerospace Maintenance Team
- Electrical Automotive Club
- NASA Rovers
- Whitehat CyberSecurity Club
The Student Government Association (SGA) is the voice of the students and serves the campus community through effective, responsible leadership. Under the purview of the dean of student development and campus life, the association is the liaison between college administration and the student body, working toward the greater good of the campus community and welfare and morale of the students.
The SGA works in conjunction with other student organizations as well as the student affairs staff to coordinate student-sponsored events and programs. All student clubs and organizations operate under the guidance and support of the Student Government Association and abide by its constitution, which promises to represent, advocate and protect the welfare of the student body of the College.
Any student who is currently enrolled, matriculated and in good academic and judicial standing at the College is eligible to become a member of the SGA. The executive board consists of five elected officers: president, vice president, treasurer and secretary and student activities committee chair. Officers are elected every spring in a college wide election in which all registered students are encouraged to vote. The SGA enables students to enhance their professional skills and become an active participant in the campus community while taking advantage of leadership opportunities that come their way.
This student organization offers educational workshops, speaker series and networking opportunities to air traffic control students.
This club promotes safe, knowledgeable design, construction and use of UAV (drone) technology. The UAV Club engages with the Vaughn community and with aviation industry leaders in the ongoing international discourse around the benefits of this emerging field, including next-generation academic and career possibilities.
The Robotics club is a cocurricular competitive team that provides students a place to pursue their interest in both mechanical, electronic and software design by working on large established projects, small competition projects or design new projects.
Extracurricular
These are student run groups that are mainly social in nature and majority interest or social based. In addition to the association described below, Vaughn also has:
- Dungeons and Dragons Club
- International Students Club
- Muslim Students Club
- Pokemon Go Club
- Sci Fi Club
A student led and student organized club that aim to create a safe and welcoming LGBTQ+ inclusive community for all students. GSA provides a supportive environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, as well as those who are perceived by others to be LGBT, are questioning their identity, have LGBT friends or family members, or just care about LGBT issues.
