Feature Friday posts are back for Spring 2021! This week we’re featuring two recognized student organizations: Yarn Circle and the Vietnamese Student Association! If you’d like to submit your org for consideration, please fill out our submission form!

Yarn Circle at SJSU

The Yarn Circle at SJSU is a relatively new organization that was established in 2019. The group’s purpose is to build community around the culture of yarn crafts, such as knitting and crocheting, and to foster creativity. They also emphasize the importance of continuing these crafts and acknowledge the traditionally feminine practices associated with yarn crafts. Yarn Circle is open to all types of yarn crafts – and members enjoy learning new methods and techniques, and the opportunity to grow their skills! Members enjoy having the “welcoming and inclusive space that Yarn Circle provides to learn!” Join their Sammy app group or follow them @yarncirclesjsu for updates!

Vietnamese Student Association

The Vietnamese Student Association was founded at SJSU in 1978. The four pillars that center and sustain the work of the club are Academic, Cultural, Community, and Social. Students who are a part of this organization have a chance to establish familial ties, build strong friendships, and find kindred spirits within the Vietnamese community. One member shared that they “reach out to the younger generation and work with them to advance their awareness of the social, economic, and cultural activities surrounding the community.” Students enjoy learning about Vietnamese culture and meeting new people! Learn more and get involved by following the Vietnamese Student Association on Instagram @sjsuvsa and by liking their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/sanjosestatevsa to get updates on future events.

MISA, or the Management Information Systems Association, has been preparing SJSU students for successful careers in business and technology since 1999. Members engage in professional and personal development, leadership, and networking, and are able to interact with top Silicon Valley companies and employees. One club leader shared that MISA “strives to shape the upcoming leaders of Silicon Valley with the incorporation of their core values of Professionalism, Networking, Knowledge, Leadership, Community, Innovation, and Opportunity.” Club activities include workshops on resume building, interview preparation, creating a LinkedIn profile, and building a personal brand. Members value “the powerful connections made within MISA” that help them to “better navigate the business world as well as create lifelong friendships.” MISA is open to students of all majors and backgrounds. Last year, MISA was the recipient of three awards at the Student Leadership Gala: Advisor of the Year, Executive Board of the Year, and, Student Organization of the Year. Follow MISA on Instagram @SJSUMISA, visit their website www.sjsumisa.org, or follow them on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/sjsumisa/.

Klesis Christian Fellowship provides students with a faith community where they can ask questions about God and Christianity. Klesis is a Greek word meaning divine invitation. Members are invited to participate in activities such as discussions, weekly meetings, trips, meals, game nights, hangouts, and Zoom calls and webinars. Club leaders are proud that Klesis Christian Fellowship is a place where students find and build friendships that last well beyond the college years. As one member shared, “especially in a time where it is so easy to feel disconnected and discouraged because of what is happening in the world, we want to be a place where students are able to build relationships where they can ask questions, get answers and find support.” Klesis is open to all students, whether they are Christian or not. Visit the club’s website https://www.sjsu.klesis.org/ to learn more, or follow them on social media @klesis_sjsu.

The Assembly of Nurse Scholars is a club open to all students with an interest in healthcare and the field of nursing. The club connects nursing students and helps to promote learning through a variety of enrichment activities and networking opportunities. Members learn about all of the specialties in nursing through club events like panels and other shared resources. A club leader shared that their motto, lifelong leaRNing, “demonstrates how you basically learn nonstop in the healthcare field as it keeps advancing and changing throughout time.” Follow the Assembly of Nurse Scholars on Instagram @ans_sjsu or on Facebook at Assembly of Nurse Scholars for updates about meetings and events!

The South Asian Student Association (SASA) is a platform for those of South Asian descent and those interested in learning about and celebrating South Asian culture. The club hosts social, cultural, and professional development events for students, enabling members to build long-lasting friendships and achieve professional success. One student leader shared “everyone takes pride in their South Asian descent and works hard to foster a sense of community. The dedication and ambition make all the meetings and events worthwhile!” SASA is a new club, founded in spring 2020, and they are seeking new members! To learn more, email them at sasa.sanjosestate@gmail.com or follow them on Instagram @sasa.sjsu. You can also connect with them and learn about upcoming events through the Sammy app!

The American Library Association Student Chapter of the School of Information, or ALASC, encourages community and connection among all iSchool students from across all career pathways. Student leaders are “proud to facilitate meaningful connections for our members. We have terrific events – from touring Blizzard offices, libraries, and archives, to having amazing speakers and working professionals come to help guide our members into the real world.” The club helps students connect with the American Library Association and provides meaningful connections to others in the library field. As one student shared, “I’m on the leadership track, but it is great to talk to people interested in archiving or data science and other pathways. Great ideas come from such a nice mix of different pathways!” All School of Information students are members, and benefit from networking opportunities and attending social events. Have a story to share or an event idea? Email them at sjsualasc@gmail.com or submit your thoughts via their website https://ischoolgroups.sjsu.edu/alasc/wp-students/. The blog is a great resource for tips and alerts and news about the library world.

The Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society, founded at SJSU in 1941, provides fraternity for chemistry students. They’re also known as the Chemistry Club or the Chem Club, for short! Members appreciate the chance to connect with other students majoring or minoring in the sciences, regardless of their career path (e.g . pharmacology, med school, education, business, etc.)! Club leaders wanted to share that they are “a diverse, friendly group of students who run events such as beginning of the year book sales, Halloween socials, and Winter banquets. We also help set up seminars for visiting research professors/guest speakers.” They encourage students to join the club to share school experiences and casually learn together. Active members earn additional benefits and gain leadership skills! Follow the Chem Club on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/sjsuchemclub/), Instagram (@Chemistryclubsjsu), and Discord ( https://discord.gg/w57gAX3)! Email chemistryclubsjsu@gmail.com for more information!

Spartan MD is an RSO that strives to inspire, support, and inform pre-med students through all steps of the pre-medical process; their goal is to increase the rate of SJSU students who are admitted into medical school. The group helps students explore the many career options in medicine, make informed decisions, and navigate the premed process. Additionally, they offer MCAT preparation support and networking opportunities with local medical students and medical schools. One member shared, “I would say the best part about being involved in this club is specifically how we tend to bring students together by giving them a sense of support they need in order to succeed in becoming the aspiring physicians they want to be, especially they all have to go through this complex journey. And with that, we are not only being there for them but we are also creating this sense of community for all of them.” Club leaders are motivated by the quote “the good physician treats the disease; the great physician treats the patient who has the disease” (William Osler). Visit their website https://spartandoctors.wixsite.com/sjsuspartanmd to learn more or follow them on social media @sjsu.spartanmd.

Women in Aviation started at SJSU in 1990 with the mission of promoting the vast industry of aviation and aerospace to all Spartans. @womeninaviationsjsu is proud to represent and uplift women in a predominantly male field. One member’s favorite part of being involved with WIA is “is the countless friends of similar interests that I’ve been able to make, and knowing that they will be good friends with me for life.” They also shared that Women in Aviation “is NOT a club that is only for women. It is also not only for those whose major is aviation. We’re an unofficial collegiate chapter of Women in Aviation International…that is most focused on professional development and networking, not an exclusively female club.” Many club members attend the Women in Aviation International annual professional conference with 5000+ attendees. Members also have access to a large pool of scholarships and real-life mentors! Contact them at women.in.aviation.sjsu@gmail.com to learn more.

Students for Firearms Safety promotes education and understanding of firearms and positive gun culture. Club members are proud to educate SJSU students on firearms safety through discussions, presentations, and hands-on training with experienced instructors. To learn more and get involved The best way to learn and get involved follow them on social media @studentssorfirearmssafety_sjsu, or email them at studentsforfirearmssafetysjsu@gmail.com and ask about joining their mailing list.