Student Involvement and Leadership on Babson Campus

Extensive research indicates that students who become involved with cocurricular life will have a more positive college experience.

Your student will have great opportunities to develop a network of friends; make a difference on their campus; and based on their individual levels of involvement, further develop their leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and risk-taking competencies.

Studies have shown that students who are involved in student activities are more likely to graduate from college and more likely to be satisfied with their overall college experience (Light, 2001). These findings are consistent at Babson and we offer students more than 90 clubs and organizations to join. If a particular interest area is not covered within the current set of offerings, students may create one. Every semester, at least a half dozen new clubs are chartered.

It is even more important that first-year students become involved on campus to balance out the demands of their academic life. When students arrive on campus, they need to find a niche—a place where they feel a sense of purpose and where they feel they belong. Becoming involved in an existing organization or founding a campus organization, participating in student government, or volunteering for community service initiatives are all positive ways for students to quickly find their place and feel comfortable and excited about being a member of a new community.

The only caution for students in immersing themselves in all that is offered at Babson is to be careful to not become over extended, particularly during the first semester.

The opportunities on campus are limitless, and students have four years to try out a number of leadership roles and organizations. You can help by reminding your student that their first year is just the beginning of their Babson journey.