My name is Ada Ogbonna, a senior journalism and economics major with a minor in data science from Toledo, Ohio. I work with the Office of Admission as an Ambassador, and I’ve previously served as student body vice president. I am a part of numerous communities and organizations on this campus and I hope this will help shed some light on the numerous activities you can participate in here at Northwestern!

Making A Campus Impact Through Clubs 

One of the largest student run organizations is Associated Student Government (yay my org!) and within ASG there are numerous communities and sectors you can join to get a real comprehensive feel as to what it means to be a part of an org that handles so many different factors at this school. ASG members write legislation towards making sure our university is meeting the needs of all students on campus as well as provides funding for over 100 organizations and clubs on campus such as Mayfest Productions who is responsible for producing Dillo Day, the nation’s largest student-run music festival and NU Dance Marathon, one of largest entirely student-run philanthropies in the nation. Within ASG, you can join different committees such as Campus Life, Sustainability, and Academics and really cater your experience towards areas that really interest you and create unique and impactful changes in that specific area.

I have been a part of ASG since my freshman year and being able to have a say on the meaningful things that happen on this campus as well as have the opportunity to meet new and inspiring people who are looking to make a difference has been amazing. ASG has made my Northwestern experience all the more better and being able to serve as the student body vice president has been an honor and a privilege that I am so lucky to have!

Exploring My Identity Through Student Orgs

Outside of ASG, I am involved in numerous clubs that cater to my major and my identity as a Black woman. I am currently a part of the African Student Association and our Black Student Union For Members Only. Both organizations have been impactful towards helping me meet individuals on campus that share my identity and are in my major and during my freshman year on campus both organizations connected me with upperclassmen in my major to ensure I was prepared for my classes and the full college experience. Another org that was really influential in making sure I was fully prepared for the life change that is college is the Black Mentorship Program (BMP). The program is primarily catered towards first-years where you are paired up with an upperclassmen and meet with them every Sunday as a group to talk about life and do homework and overall just have them there to answer any and all questions you may have as a first year student. My BMP mentor was amazing and I am still friends with her to this day because she really helped me have a wonderful experience here at Northwestern and really pushed me to join clubs and meet new people even though I was super shy first-year!

Northwestern’s Commitment To Fostering Inclusive Communities

All of these organizations made me feel a part of a community here at Northwestern but there are so many other orgs that do the exact same thing and if there isn’t a club or organization that caters to your needs you can easily create your own and build community in your own unique way! The beautiful thing about NU is that no matter what you are interested in or passionate about there will always be someone to help you achieve your dreams and support you through it all. Whether it’s a professor or student or faculty member, the NU community is so so supportive that you will never be alone because they are always there to support you and make sure you are comfortable and happy. I remember being so scared and intimidated before I reached campus and when I arrived I felt so much love and acceptance from every single person here because they genuinely care. If there’s any advice I can share is that you all should not worry because you will have the time of your life here at Northwestern and meet so many fun and amazing people that will immediately want you to join their org and Northwestern as a whole is one big loving and accepting community!

Feel free to reach out to ask any questions or even chat generally about more clubs and communities on campus and ways to be involved here on campus.

GO ‘CATS!

Ada Ogbonna Ambassador Coordinator Toledo, OH Fourth Year Medill: Journalism