NW Valley Times

Kyndal Downing of the American Kids Country Swing Dance Club demonstrated her line dancing skills during last year's gathering. This week's Welcome Week at Grand Canyon University aims to help students integrate into campus life beyond moving into their living quarters. Student clubs play a significant role in these activities, with an expanded presence this year.

For the first time, four clubs are hosting official Welcome Week events, and the large Community and Club Fair will take place on Friday morning instead of during the first week of classes as in previous years.

“I’m really excited about it and students are excited about it; they get to brand their club before the school year starts,” said Clubs and Organizations Manager Abigail Castillo regarding the 110 student clubs.

“Clubs tap into a social place for students. Of course, they are here for academics, but at the same time, how do you find friends that are like-minded, not just academically but socially?” she continued. “I think that is where a lot of students find their friends. They go hiking together or on trips together, and it’s where they find their core group.”

Braden Brown engaged in combat with a fellow Medieval Combat Club member last year on Prescott Field. Students might hike with Lopes Outdoors or care for campus cats with Trap and Release. They could dance with American Kids Country Swing or connect with the Latino Student Union—two of GCU’s largest clubs featured during Welcome Week. The former will host an event at 6:30 p.m. Saturday on Prescott Field.

“A lot of freshmen can’t get off campus or really know the area well yet and want to make friends on campus. Why not go swing dance?” Castillo said.

The Latino Student Union's event, Rompiendo Hielo (breaking the ice) Welcome Mixer, will introduce Latino music and culture to Thunderground at 3:30 p.m. today.

“The biggest thing is we want to be inclusive. If someone doesn’t identify as Mexican or Hispanic, they shouldn’t be afraid to join and learn more about the culture,” said Leo Quintero, the club’s advisor and GCU’s technology change program manager. “The big question we ask is what defines a Latino? Last year, we focused on dance and music.”

Despite many GCU students identifying as Latino, adjusting to campus life can be challenging for newcomers from predominantly Hispanic backgrounds, noted Quintero—a 2019 GCU graduate who was once president of the club.

“They grow up in very Hispanic schools; their family is Hispanic; so when they come to campus, it is a cultural shock,” he said. “They are not smelling their mom’s cooking; they don’t have that sense of family since Latino families are very close-knit.” He added that joining such clubs provides them with familiarity through shared cultural experiences.

Quintero met his wife Reyba Calcano-Quevedo through the club: “Most people in my wedding were from the club.” He emphasized that these connections fostered strong bonds among members.

HOSA members—a club for future healthcare professionals—engaged with students at their booth during last year's Club and Community Fair. Two other notable clubs this week include the Sports and Entertainment Business Club meeting today at 6:30 p.m., followed by Modern Boardgamers Guild meeting Wednesday at 2:30 p.m., both held in Riverbed.

Friday's Club and Community Fair at Canyon Activities Center from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., will showcase many of GCU's 110 student clubs—with more expected as new ones gain approval early in the semester.

New additions include Sacred Languages Club focusing on biblical languages; Physical and Mental Disability Alliance; African American Doctoral Support Group; Global Justice Advocates Club aimed at counseling graduate students; Real Estate Club advised by Tim Kelley from Colangelo College of Business offering insights across real estate sectors through guest speakers and weekly meetings.

“When real estate represents a significant portion and foundation to the modern economy," Kelley stated,"it is critical that we as CCOB do as much as possible to bring access of industry knowledge to our students."

While academic-focused groups abound among GCU's offerings Castillo observed growing interest in affinity-based social clubs catering specifically towards niche activities like Medieval Combat showcased previously by GCU News saying,“I love seeing students have unique passions...It makes me excited.”

Grand Canyon University senior writer Mike Kilen can be reached at [email protected]

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