Student Organizations
Explore your interests. Broaden your mind. Here are some of the many opportunities available to you at NC State.
Find Your Fit
Whether you’re interested in political science, international relations, legal studies or a similar subject area, NC State has a club for you. Political science faculty advise many of the political and law-related clubs. Join in to meet and network with your classmates while you broaden your horizons.
Unless otherwise noted, please contact the faculty advisor listed for details.
BridgeUSA at NC State
BridgeUSA is a youth-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that creates spaces on high school and college campuses for open discussion between students about political issues. Political division is one of our biggest challenges in the United States.
The organization began in 2016 at the universities of Notre Dame, CU-Boulder, and UC Berkeley in response to growing polarization on campus. By engaging America’s youth in constructive discussions, the group is equipping the next generation of leaders with the skills necessary for navigating conflict, finding solutions across differences and building bridges in their communities.
Faculty advisor: Steven Greene
College Democrats
College Democrats at NC State is a student-led organization committed to promoting Democratic values, civic engagement, and progressive change on campus and beyond. Founded in 1956 by former NC State undergraduate and eventual Governor Jim Hunt, our chapter empowers students through political organizing, voter outreach, and community service, right from the heart of North Carolina’s capital.
Want to get involved? Contact us at ncsudemocrats@gmail.com and connect with us on Instagram: @ncsudems.
Faculty Advisor: Anthony Solari
College of Humanities and Social Sciences Student Council
This council promotes the interests and general welfare of students, furthers communication and cooperation among our college’s departments, and provides Humanities and Social Sciences students with a representative council. The council represents student organizations, helps fund the college’s organizational needs, handles funds received by the council, promotes leadership and participation, and helps organize the annual college career fair.
The Student Council also awards the Abraham Holtzman Scholarship Award each year. The award is based on service to the community or the college, including community service, organizational leadership, volunteer activities and/or a commitment to raising the visibility and prestige of the college. Applications and additional details are generally available in mid-March for the following academic year.
Faculty Adviser: Dara Leeder
College Republicans
College Republicans at NC State work to foster Republican Party ideals and strengthen the GOP on campus. We collaborate with county and state Republican organizations to support candidates up and down the ballot. Contact: ncsucollegerepublicans@gmail.com.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. AndrewTaylor
Global Affairs Association at NC State (Model United Nations)
NCSUGAA engages in Model UN to enhance members’ understanding of global affairs and develop critical debate skills for diplomacy. Members build public speaking, diplomatic engagement, collaboration, and creative problem-solving abilities through weekly meetings, mock conferences, national competitions, and staffing events. Contact us: ncsumun@gmail.com.
Connect with us on Facebook.
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Michael Struett
International Relations
Our world today faces global challenges that require global-minded citizens to address. The globe has entered a “power balancing” stage, where competition between rival superpowers has shattered the post-Cold War global order. NC State is lucky enough to have academic programs, students and faculty dedicated to solving this crucial issue. We seek to gain a greater understanding of these issues and to discuss them in depth. We also hope to grow various networking opportunities, with faculty and IR professionals alike. Students of all majors and backgrounds are welcome and they can join by attending our club meetings, signing up for our email list via ncstateIR@gmail.com or by following their Instagram page @ncstateIR.
Faculty Adviser: Dr. William Boettcher
Kappa Alpha Pi
Kappa Alpha Pi is a co-ed pre-law and government fraternity, uniting students interested in law, public service, and civic engagement. Through LSAT prep, grad school tours, guest speakers, and brotherhood events, we equip members with the tools, connections, and support to succeed as future leaders. Contact: ncsukapi@gmail.com.
Mock Trial at NC State
The American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) serves as the governing body for intercollegiate mock trial competition. Through engaging in trial simulations in competition with teams from other institutions, students develop critical thinking and public speaking skills, as well as a knowledge of legal practices and procedures. AMTA sponsors both regional and national-level competitions, and provides engaging and complex case materials for use by registered teams.
Mock Trial at NC State allows students to work together as a team to dig deep into the case materials provided by AMTA and finally argue the case at competition. Members will have the opportunity to form strong bonds with one another, improve their public speaking, and gain important knowledge of courtroom procedure. Being a part of the NC State mock trial team encourages students to ignite their passion for law and make crucial connections in the legal field.
Want to get involved? Contact us at ncstatemocktrial@ncsu.edu and connect with us on Instagram: @ncstatemocktrial.
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Michael Struett
Political Science Club
The Political Science Club fosters exploration into politics, policy, and government. We meet at least once a month, and our activities include student political debates, educational trips, hosting and attending lectures and social events. Our diverse membership welcomes students from all academic backgrounds, not just political science majors. Contact: via email politicalscience-org@ncsu.edu and @psclubncsu on Instagram.
Faculty/Staff Advisor: Political Science Advising
Pre-Law Students Association (PLSA)
The Pre-Law Students’ Association hosts events several times per month. We discuss information about law school events and free LSAT dates. Anyone in the NC State Community interested in law school is welcome. We meet at least once a month and host a variety of speakers throughout the year, including attorneys, deans of admission from various law schools and faculty and administrators from the university community. Our members engage in community service projects and participate in forums that help them prepare for law school. Contact: @ncsu.prelaw on Instagram.
Website: http://careers.ncsu.edu/prelaw/plsa-at-nc-state
Faculty/Staff Adviser: Hannah Jaegers
Society for Politics, Economics and Law (SPEL)
Our group holds many different events, including talks by NC State and professors from other institutions, panel discussions, debates, and information sessions about careers and post-graduate study. We also have social occasions. SPEL members receive invitations to student seminars administered by the Free and Open Societies Project and are informed regularly of internship and funding opportunities in political science, economics, and public policy. The group is primarily about ideas and students’ contributions to the great debates that affect our world. As such, it works to elevate and diversify the campus’s intellectual climate. Contact: ncstatespel@gmail.com.
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Andrew Taylor
Speech and Debate
The Speech and Debate Association features a 10-member competitive team who, together with other club members, focus on building rhetorical skills through campus events and collaborations. Contact amwood9@ncsu.edu for details. Follow their instagram @ncsudebate.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Richard Mahoney
Student Senate Government
Student Senate is a group of 64 students, who proportionally represent each of the university’s schools and colleges. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences holds eight seats in the Student Senate: three seniors, three juniors, and two sophomores. We strive to promote the general welfare of the student body, and our responsibilities include: enacting legislation, approving an Annual Student Body Budget for the Student Body funds, and confirming or rejecting appointments of the Student Body President. Additionally, in conjunction with the Department of Athletics, we determine student ticket distribution policies for football and men’s basketball games. Most importantly, however, we represent the student voice to the university’s administration. Rather than passing laws, we act as a lobbying body, addressing the concerns of the student body, and bringing these concerns to the attention of the university.
Website: http://sg.students.ncsu.edu/
Women in Political Science
The Women in Political Science Club offers a supportive space for students interested in politics, policy, and gender in these fields. We aim to build a network that empowers women to pursue opportunities in public service with self-assurance and resilience. Contact: @ncstateWiPS on Instagram.
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Amanda Edwards