Homestead Campus Reports Increase In Student Clubs
Student engagement at Homestead Campus is surging.
The campus, which opened its doors in 1990 and has 30 student organizations, has reported a 13 percent increase in new clubs since January.
The new clubs—the Pre-Nursing Club, Elite Sharks (a dance club), Rising Black Scholars Homestead Campus Chapter and the Football Club—the majority of which were started this fall, might be a sign that students are itching for personal contact after dealing with COVID-19 for the past 18-months.
“We want to have our students succeed academically,” said Nicole Bryant, who is the Homestead Campus student life director. “But the recreational, fun and get-together stuff has been missing for almost these past two years. Having these clubs is a huge benefit so students can be together again and feel connected.”
Bryant, who has served in her current role since 2008, applauds the additions.
“Clubs are the easiest way to connect with people,” she said. “When you build a club or organization you immediately already have a network of peers and friends that will always serve as a familiar face on campus.”
Here is more information about the new clubs:
Elite Sharks (Dance Club)
The Elite Sharks, which has been trying to start a chapter at Homestead for the past two years but couldn’t find an adviser, is a dance club founded in August to bring people together who share a passion for dance. The club provides students with an activity to exercise, relax and de-stress.
They have seven members who meet once a week on-campus (Thursdays or Fridays, depending on what day works best for members).
“Our main goal is to offer mental health awareness,” said the club’s vice president Ajai Sturdivant. “A lot of students get easily stressed so through dancing we are trying to de-stress them from any pressure school, work, or even home can bring them.”
Football Club
The Football Club brings students together with a passion for football by starting conversations about the sport and watching games.
They launched in August and currently have six members. In the future, they hope to attend University of Miami football games.
The club plans to have meetings on Thursdays with the option to attend in-person or online.
“Football is something I’m very passionate about and I’m sure lots of students on campus also are,” said the club’s president Zachri Hall. “I played football my last two years of high school and it brought me lots of joy and was super fun. It was a lot of team building so I want to be able to bring that feeling into campus.”
Pre-Nursing Club
The club was launched in the spring of 2021 to educate students who have an interest in nursing.
Members meet every Wednesday through Zoom.
During meetings, students are informed about career opportunities in nursing, they discuss entrance exam preparation and network.
“This club helps students get to know each other before heading out to a nursing program,” said Sarai Finkley, the club’s social media manager. “It helps you feel at ease and build connections.”
Rising Black Scholars Homestead Campus Chapter
Miami Dade College’s Rising Black Scholar Program was launched in June to help close the equity gap. The initiative offers full-tuition toward an associate’s degree at the College to 100 Black students graduating from high school in 2021.
It also assists students with job opportunities and mentorship. Before launching a chapter at Homestead Campus, students attended meetings at North Campus.
The Homestead chapter has 15 members, but it has not selected officers or official meeting times.
“It’s an opportunity for underserved students,” said Shamori Fancher, who is part of the Homestead chapter. “Not many of us have the money, transportation or even motivation to go to school when you’re struggling, so this program allows us to have a second chance at an education.”
For more information about all the clubs available at Homestead Campus, contact the student life department at (305) 237-5065.
