Student Clubs

On-campus activities are a great way to meet new people and explore interests. Oakton encourages students in our campus community to get involved with their peers and join one of our student-led clubs. Joining a college club is a great way to explore existing interests and discover new passions you may not have realized you had. With more than 30 active clubs and counting, you're sure to find something to match your interests. Clubs at Oakton range from hobbies like the Card and Board Game Club to special interests and more cause-related organizations like those promoting social justice.

Browse our active student clubs below. If you're looking for something different, read on for information about how to start your own student club at Oakton. We encourage you to be passionate and involved as an Oakton student. Let us help you organize your interests into a new club that our whole community can enjoy.

Active Student Clubs at Oakton

The Fine Art Club seeks to provide a campus community for students interested in the fine arts, such as painting, as well as other associated art forms spanning from photography to fashion.

Advisor
Mark Palmeri
mpalmeri@oakton.edu
847.376.7115

The Building Lasting African Culture and Knowledge (B.L.A.C.K.) Student Union provides support to all Black students at Oakton and helps students find and utilize resources on campus. By working closely with the B.L.A.C.K. Student Success Program, BSU fosters belonging. It is a hub centering on Black thought and ideas through critical conversations, 365 celebrations, mentoring, community engagement, equity advocate training, and conference attendance and presentations.

Advisor
Danielle Terry
dterry@oakton.edu
847.376.7796

The Card and Board Game Club seeks to give students a place to learn and enjoy all kinds of board games, card games, and tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs). We also teach Magic the Gathering and Dungeons and Dragons to all members of our club. All members of the Oakton community are welcome to join in or bring their own board games along.

Advisor
Gretchen Schneider
gschneid@oakton.edu 
847.635.1608

The Ceramics Club helps ceramics students learn how to improve, display, and sell their work. Club members will also help donate their work and volunteer for the annual Empty Bowls fundraising project, which aims to support local food pantries.

Advisor
Lou Pierozzi
lpierozz@oakton.edu
847.635.1838

The Coding Club is intended for Oakton students interested in the field of Computer Science and other related fields to learn and collaborate on computer programming activities.

Advisor
Ivan Temesvari
itemesva@oakton.edu
847.376.7065

The DECA Club aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills of the corporate world and help them grow as leaders.

Advisor
Randy Felsenthal
rfelsent@oakton.edu
847.635.1910

The Early Childhood Education Club aims to raise awareness and interest in this profession. Students will develop leadership skills through professional development opportunities through meetings, conferences, and partnerships with the Early Childhood Education Program at Oakton.

Advisor
Cheryl Joseph
cjoseph@oakton.edu
847.376.7271

The Environmental Club's purpose is to bring students closer to nature, expand school-wide awareness of sustainability and ecological restoration, and develop a sense of social and environmental responsibility. The club also seeks to engage the Oakton community in lowering the consumption of natural resources and reducing its carbon footprint.

Advisor
Charmaine John
cjohn@oakton.edu
847-376-7315

Advisor
Amanda Krause
naturalist@oakton.edu
847-635-1768

The Habitat for Humanity Club, a collegiate branch, fosters team-building activities. The club visits construction sites to help provide shelter for low-income families.

Advisor
Cheryl Thayer
cthayer@oakton.edu

The Honors Student Organization seeks to create a sense of community and provide an environment of fellowship among honors students. We achieve this by planning social events and discussions, encouraging participation in other school-sponsored events, and by holding meetings.

Advisor
Charles Townsend
townsend@oakton.edu
847.635.1936

Oakton's IEEE Student Branch shares knowledge of electrical and allied branches of engineering and helps students start careers.

Advisor
Gloria Liu
glorial@oakton.edu
847.635.1738

The Japan Culture Club aims to help interested students explore Japanese culture through various activities and bring awareness of Japanese culture to the Oakton community.

Advisor
Keiko Anno
kanno@oakton.edu
847.635.1950

The Korean Culture Club's purpose is to promote and immerse Oakton students in Korean culture, language, K-Pop, K-Drama, history, and politics through cultural activities, field trips, and informational meetings.

Advisor
Rachel Kim
rkim@oakton.edu
847.635.1950

The Latinx Club seeks to bring students together and preserve, support, promote, celebrate, and learn about the Latinx language, culture, traditions, and history. The club is a great way to meet people that identify as Latin/o/a/x, practice Spanish language skills, and celebrate Latinx traditions.

Advisors

Evelia Giraldo
egiraldo@oakton.edu
847-635-1612 Des Plaines
847-635-1493 Skokie

Valeria Benson-Lira
vbensonlira@oakton.edu
847-376-7258

The Mission Bible Club aims to help students strengthen their relationship with God and other students through Bible study and fellowship. Meets are based in the Christian faith.

Advisor
Mark Palmeri
mpalmeri@oakton.edu
847.376.7115

The Muslim Student Association's purpose is to create an environment for both Muslim and non-Muslim-identifying students to learn more about Islamic history, culture, and values.

Advisor
Stella Pillay
stella@oakton.edu
847.635.1630

Oakton Aspiring Educators Club aims to create and build a community, fellowship, and alliance of Oakton students who are interested in working within the field of education (i.e., teachers, technology specialists, nurses, principals, social workers, counselors, etc.). 

Advisor
Philip Prale
pprale@oakton.edu
847.376.7189

Oakton Helping Others seeks students who are interested in serving the community with others, volunteering on or off-campus, and promoting the benefits and importance of service. The club also aims to fundraise for non-profit charities each semester.

Advisor
Princess Escudero
princess@oakton.edu
847.635.1443

The Pride club seeks to celebrate and promote diversity throughout campus while providing personal and social support to LGBTQ students on campus. The club works to unite the community through education and dialogue.

Advisor
Lindsey Hewitt
lhewitt@oakton.edu
847.376.7044

Oakton Visual Organization aims to provide hands-on experience in producing media projects such as videography, editing, photography, motion graphics, and sound.

Advisor
Erick Rohn
erohn@oakton.edu
847.376.7248

The Physical Therapist Assistant Club seeks to advise current Physical Therapist Assistant students on topics relevant to the field. The club will promote health and wellness and well-being within the program, college, and community, as well as teamwork among peers and school spirit.

Advisor
Elizabeth Dempsey
edempsey@oakton.edu
847.635.1896

PAYO Club is dedicated to preserve, promote, and learn about Filipino culture and history, and learn how it relates to the Oakton community. The club aims to create a safe environment for everyone to freely express themselves regardless of their identity and beliefs as the most important goal is to explore, share, and celebrate the wonders of the Philippines as one big ‘Pamilya’ (family).

Advisor
Princess Escudero
princess@oakton.edu
847.635.1443

The Society of Women Engineers aims to provide a supportive pathway to STEM careers in an effort to diversity the gender portfolio of today's workplace. The club seeks to create a more comfortable environment for women to thrive in the STEM workplace.

Advisor
Gloria Liu
glorial@oakton.edu
847.635.1738

South Asian Club seeks to provide a space for South Asian students to build a community to represent South Asian culture and heritage at Oakton. The club also strives to help students develop their leadership skills as they engage in planning events for the Oakton community.

Advisors

Samuel Pudi
spudi@oakton.edu
847.635.1408

SGHS Club aims to promote and educate students and the Oakton community on sustainable health measures for both mental and physical health.

Advisor
Kristi Zenchak
zenchak@oakton.edu
847.635.1615

UNICEF Club aims to help support the work of UNICEF and educate the Oakton community on the issues and advocate for children's needs around the world. The club helps raise funds to contribute towards specific UNICEF projects.

Advisor
Kristine Panopio
kpanopio@oakton.edu
847.635.1728

Interested in Starting Your Own Club?

If you have a hobby or particular interest not represented here, Oakton encourages you to bring your passion to campus and apply to start your own club. The Student Government Association approves all new clubs, which are almost always formed by students.

View the petition PDF form below to get started. Your next step will be to get in touch with us at the Office for Student Life and Campus Inclusion to schedule an appointment to talk about your new organization. Please review the form below, then send us a message at studentlife@oakton.edu.

View the New Club Formation Petition (PDF) (69 KB)