Getting involved during your academic career is a wise choice, not only to make new friends and connect with others, but also to build leadership and networking skills and build your resume! The organizations listed below will be particularly helpful to you as an education major and are divided into Mary Lou Fulton College of Education organizations, campus-wide organizations, and professional organizations.

Mary Lou Fulton College of Education Student Organizations

Camp Sparky
Camp Sparky is a non-profit student organization that helps children of the Greater Phoenix Area realize their potential and achieve their dreams through education and mentoring. Camp Sparky members visit under-resourced elementary schools in the Greater Phoenix Area and provide daylong programs to fifth grade students. The day’s activities are centered on a theme, with fun hands-on activities that provide a unique educational experience. Camp Sparky programs show children that education is important and fun, as well as give ASU students an opportunity to gain experience working with children. For information or to participate, visit http://www.asu.edu/clubs/cmpsparky/ or contact us at campsparky@asu.edu.

Student Council
The mission of the Student Council is to inform students about important issues concerning the Mary Lou Fulton College of Education; to serve as a liaison between students, faculty, and administrators within the University; to provide a forum for expression of students’ opinions and concerns; to recognize outstanding student and faculty achievements; to offer students an opportunity to learn, grow, and develop teaching skills; to promote and provide service to the community; and to promote ongoing awareness and understanding of diversity. For information or to participate, contact us at coecouncil@asu.edu.

Senpai Kohai
Senpai Kohai is a student organization which pairs sophomore Senpai (Japanese for “mentor”) with incoming freshmen Kohai (Japanese for “mentee” or “learner”). Senpai and Kohai meet one-on-one for about an hour each week during the fall semester at a time most convenient for each of them. Senpai and Kohai are also invited to attend fun group events. Whether you are eligible to participate as a Senpai or Kohai, this organization is one that will help you build your resume, develop valuable networking skills, and make a new friend in the MLFCOE. For information or to participate, contact us at senpaikohai@asu.edu.

Academic Bowl
The Mary Lou Fulton College of Education is a proud participant in the Arizona State University annual Academic Bowl. Members of the MLFCOE Academic Bowl Team compete in a campus-wide competition, are eligible to win scholarship money, and have the opportunity to qualify for the national-level competition, held on campuses across the country. To qualify for the MLFCOE Academic Bowl Team, interested students must complete an exam. For information, contact Audrey Iffert at audrey.iffert@asu.edu.

Campus-wide Student Organizations

Project Literacy
Project Literacy is a student organization that enables student volunteers to work in local public schools with underprivileged children who struggle with their reading skills. Volunteers are paired with 5th grade “reading buddies” for weekly one-on-one sessions. Project Literacy’s mission is to promote literacy skills particularly with non-English proficient students in the public school system. No Spanish proficiency is necessary to participate. For information or to participate, contact us at projectliteracy@asu.edu.

SPARKS
ASU SPARKS (Students Providing Awareness, Resources, and Knowledge to Start College) is an outreach student paraprofessional organization that identifies, assists and motivates 7th-12th grade students who demonstrate the potential to succeed in higher education. Assistance to these students is achieved through ASU students who aim to provide awareness, resources, and knowledge as it relates to entering and succeeding at a university, such as ASU. The goal of SPARKS is to increase college enrollment among underrepresented youths who demonstrate the potential to succeed. For information or to participate, contact us at sparksadvisor@yahoo.com.

Professional Organizations

Arizona Education Association (AEA)
The Arizona Education Association (AEA) serves as an advocate, supporting Arizona's public schools, improving the quality of public education through positive change, and improving the professional lives of teachers and school staff members. By engaging in AEA’s professional development events, you will have the opportunity to greatly enhance your resume and make connections with field professionals across the state. Membership is open to college students studying to be teachers, employees of all Arizona public schools, college and university employees, and retired educators. For information or to participate, visit us online http://www.arizonaea.org/ or contact us at ekirchoff@kyrene.org.

Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI)
The Association for Childhood Education International is an international professional organization for people who strive to promote and support the education and development of children in the global community ranging in age from birth to early adolescence. ACEI also seeks to influence the professional growth of educators and the efforts of others who are committed to the needs of children in a changing society. For information or to participate, visit us online http://www.acei.org/ or contact us at headquarters@acei.org.

Kappa Delta Pi
Kappa Delta Pi is an international honor society for educators. Membership is by invitation based on academic scholarship. Kappa Delta Pi members make up 20% of those pursuing education as a career. Members are invited to both regional and national conferences and encouraged to network with other members, including successful professionals in the field. Benefits also include job-hunting tips and tools as well as additional scholarship opportunities. For information, visit us online http://www.kdp.org/.

Phi Delta Kappa
Phi Delta Kappa is an international association of professional educators whose mission is to promote quality education, with particular emphasis on publicly supported education. The association publishes the Phi Delta Kappan, the most cited education journal in the United States. PDK strives to prepare the next generation of educators as well as to serve practicing teachers, administrators, college educators, and those concerned about public education through a wide range of innovative initiatives based on visionary leadership, relevant research, and dedicated service. For information or to participate, visit us online http://www.pdkintl.org/ or contact us at information@pdkintl.org.