With dozens of different active groups on campus – ranging from the Student Community Association and the Veteran Student Union to a Pride Club and the International Student Society – students at Full Sail University not only have ample opportunity to network with others who share their interests but also gain valuable insight into the careers they want to pursue. Additionally, joining clubs may even make students happier and more successful during their time at Full Sail.

“Participating in student clubs at Full Sail is important for students because it offers numerous benefits,” explains Director of Student Success Jessica Henlon. “Research indicates that joining clubs helps students form lasting friendships, improve their academic performance, stay dedicated to their education, and maintain a positive mindset. Active engagement and social connections foster motivation and academic success among students.”

Read on to learn more about a few of the student groups at Full Sail.

Student Community Association

The Student Community Association is a liaison for all the clubs and extra-curricular activities at Full Sail and prides itself in embracing the school's diverse and inclusive student community. This multi-dimensional association hosts campus events that bring Full Sail students together to celebrate, educate, and socialize, from their monthly Open Mic Nights and First Thursday Meet and Greets to their memorable block parties.

Joining the Student Community Association is also a great way to learn about all the other fun and interactive clubs at Full Sail since it frequently collaborates with other campus clubs for events. This year, the Black Student Union and the Student Community Association came together to host the Juneteenth Block Party.

PRIDE

Looking for a safe space for LGBTQ and ally students? The PRIDE (Peers Respecting Individuality, Differences, and Equality) Club offers students and student leaders an inclusive, intersectional, and fun LGBTQ-friendly environment for queer movie nights, networking summits, and even the occasional Club Game Night.

The PRIDE Club’s goal is to foster an environment that provides future LGBTQ and ally student leaders with a sense of community. Intersectionality, diversity, and advocacy are a few of the club’s values, and it’s committed to having a diverse board of advisors that celebrate queer and trans people’s accomplishments.

Veteran Student Union

Created by military veterans passionate about providing a safe and conscientious space for veteran students at Full Sail, the Veteran Student Union provides support for students transitioning into full-time student life after serving in the military. The heart of the Veteran Student Union is the Military Success Student Center. Located in Building 120, the center is a sanctuary for veterans and military family members to relax, socialize, and learn more about how to take advantage of veteran benefits at Full Sail.

The Veteran Student Union regularly hosts events, including their weekly Aloha Friday!, where students can stop by the center in their favorite floral shirts for good conversation and a free soda.

Black Student Union

Full Sail’s Black Student Union has three main objectives: educate, unite, and inspire Black students with cultural awareness; strive for academic excellence; and empower Black students to build the future. The club is open to all current online and campus students and regularly hosts forums, presentations, events, and programs, including the occasional special guest speaker.

While the Black Student Union aims to motivate and educate, it also fosters relaxing spaces for socializing and networking with like-minded members, including game nights and ice cream and karaoke socials.

3300+ Climbing

3300+Climbing is an artist development initiative open to students of all degree programs. This initiative provides students an opportunity to gain hands-on industry-specific experiences. Students participate in artist development, branding, marketing, event planning, media creation, and leadership activities while developing their skills.

Every six months, 3300+Climbing takes on a new artist client scouted by students. By combining various resources available at Full Sail, including live performance venues, industry experts, and business-minded students eager to impact the music industry, 3300+Climbing aims to help develop these artists to reach the next stage of their professional careers.

“3300+Climbing provides an opportunity to help students become practitioners of their respective disciplines while working on developing artist clients,” says Department Chair of Entertainment Business and Music Business, Israel Vasquetelle. “Over the past years, students have executed marketing campaigns, planned performances, participated in music video shoots, worked behind the scenes on a music industry web series, gained credits on productions, and much more."

International Student Society

The goal of the International Student Society (ISS) is to support Full Sail’s diverse international student population. What began just a few years ago as a small social group now includes over 1,000 members who participate in a mixture of recreational and career-oriented events.

“The International Student Society is a supportive and inclusive community at Full Sail that creates a multicultural networking space for students to discover and share their cultures,” says International Student Coordinator Tim Shaffer. “At our core, we are storytellers, networking conduits, and a community of professional creatives.”

The ISS is composed of online and campus students from dozens of countries, including the United States. The group regularly hosts open meetings (to share ideas and provide feedback), social activities (such as mini-golf, bowling, and movie outings), monthly mentorship orientations (for students interested in becoming ISS mentors), and family-style holiday celebrations.

Pure Motivation

Making a difference in the community has always been a priority at Full Sail. Pure Motivation, our volunteer group, gives students and staff the chance to make an impact through special events and charities. In the past, Pure Motivation has partnered with Special Olympics, Second Harvest Food Bank, March of Dimes, Toys for Tots, Habitat for Humanity, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida, among others.

“We attempt to get involved at all levels and be of service in whatever way our community asks,” says staff sponsor Stacy O’Mara.

Extra Life

Established in 2016, the Extra Life Guild of Full Sail (nationally known as Extra Life) brings together students, alumni, and faculty to participate in gaming fundraising events for Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals to provide families in need with medical services and equipment.

“Being a part of our Full Sail Extra Life team combines our passion for gaming and serving our community, providing an important reminder we are all human and have the ability to connect, support, and learn from one another,” says Humanities & Social Science Course Director Katie Brown-Bonafilia.

Full Sail’s Extra Life team also directly raises funds for Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital in addition to participating in Extra Life’s annual, 24-hour Game Day.

Cosplay Club

Full Sail students banded together in November 2013 to launch their own Cosplay Club and have since cultivated a community of passionate creators with a shared love of dressing as their favorite characters from pop culture, anime, and gaming.

“The students that come to Full Sail want to express themselves in a myriad of ways. Cosplay is all about sharing your passions in a very visible way,” says club advisor Kelley Harkins. “We encourage them to share knowledge and learn skills, to visualize their goals while figuring out the steps it takes to get where they want to be.”

In addition to their regular meetings and workshops, these cosplayers have also been active with outside events – with trips to MegaCon, Spooky Empire, and more.