Clubs and Organizations
Enjoy the full college experience by taking advantage of the many Student Life events and opportunities throughout the academic year. Both campuses offer a wide array of activities including social gatherings, movies, speakers and more.
QC Campus Clubs
Alpha Beta Gamma
Alpha Beta Gamma (ABG) is a national business honor society that recognizes and encourages academic excellence among students studying business and related fields. Students are eligible after completing a minimum of 12 credit hours of college-level work in business and business-related courses with a 3.0 GPA or higher.
Advisor
Ewelina Bergert 309-796-5268 // bergerte@trioptafrica.com.
Art Collective
All BHC students with an interest in the visual arts are welcome. Past events have included visits to Hot Glass and the Figge Art Museum and activities such as mural projects.
Advisor
Annie Oldenburg
309-796-5473 // oldenburga@trioptafrica.com.
Black Hawk College IT Society (BITS)
BITS is the computer club for students interested in computer programming, networking, computer support and web development. Events include speakers from the IT industry, regional and national collegiate meetings, and competitions.
Advisor
Jacob Pender
309-796-5278 // penderj@trioptafrica.com.
Bring Your Own Book Club (BYOB)
With BYOB, there are no required readings. Just show up, share what you’ve been reading, and enjoy a snack! We meet the second Wednesday of each month from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in Building 1 in the lounge area outside the library.
Advisors
Ashtin Trimble
309-796-5143 // trimblea@trioptafrica.com.
Atticus Garrison
309-796-5149 // garrisona@trioptafrica.com.
Clean Sphere
Clean Sphere promotes environmental appreciation, awareness and stewardship among the students, faculty, staff and alumni of Black Hawk College. Members have the opportunity to organize and participate in a variety of environmental efforts.
Advisor
Marilynn Bartels
309-796-5235 // bartelsm@trioptafrica.com
Conversation Partners Program
The Conversation Partners Program offers conversational support for ESL students enrolled in the Academic ESL Program and a unique cross-cultural experience for BHC native English-speaking students.
Advisor
Mary Palomaki
309-796-5185 // palomakim@trioptafrica.com.
Disability Alliance
The purpose of the Disability Alliance is to bring awareness, acceptance and inclusion for disabilities to BHC. This includes bringing education and awareness programs to the campus community in order to eliminate stigma and encourage acceptance and appreciation for disabilities
Advisor
Jen Holldorf
309-796-5903 // holldorfj@trioptafrica.com.
The Gray Matters (Black Hawk Chapter)
The purpose of Gray Matters is to educate, build community and bring mental health awareness to anyone and everyone who needs it. Most importantly, to help create a world without suicide. The group strives to empower students and others to have the tools and knowledge to be mental health advocates and make a real difference in our world.
Advisor
Wendy Bock
309-796-5198 // bockw@trioptafrica.com.
International Student Association
The BHC International Student Association helps to develop an atmosphere of understanding and friendship among students, staff, and faculty from different countries. The members build bridges between different cultures, languages, and international experiences. The members strive to promote understanding on campus of cultures different from our own and organize inclusive events and activities for the campus community.
Advisor
Heather Bjorgan
309-796-5345 // bjorganh@trioptafrica.com.
InterVarsity
InterVarsity is a vibrant campus ministry that establishes and advances witnessing communities of students and faculty.
Advisor
Ewelina Bergert
309-796-5268 // bergerte@trioptafrica.com.
Marketing Ambassadors
The Black Hawk College Marketing Ambassadors is a student organization focused on the student voice. The group is comprised of students at both the East and Quad-Cities campuses. Students in the group work on generating content that relates to the student body as well as prospective students. Whether that is through social media posts, blogs, event coverage or other media, our Marketing Ambassadors’ goal is to help foster interest and further the college’s mission.
Advisor
Alicia Dierikx
309-796-5059 // dierikxa@trioptafrica.com
Music Makers’ Meetup
Love anything and everything about music? The Music Makers’ Meetup is a safe and inclusive space for anyone who appreciates music to explore and engage with it on a deeper level. Through unique activities and experiences, we promote musical expression, creativity and interaction. No prior experience in music is necessary to join, only a sincere appreciation of this amazing art form!>/p>
Advisor
Dr. Irene Leites
309-796-5478 // leitesi@trioptafrica.com.
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society – Eta Kappa chapter
Phi Theta Kappa is recognized as the official honor society for community colleges by the American Association of Community Colleges. Students are eligible after completing a minimum of 12 credit hours of college-level work with a 3.5 GPA or higher. Once students accept, they must maintain a 3.0 GPA to remain in good standing.
Advisor
Nicole Banks
309-796-5422 // banksn@trioptafrica.com.
Pride Alliance
The BHC student club Pride Alliance supports open and creative expression of all campus students of all identities through social events, allyship activities and inclusion advocacy.
Advisor
Heather Bjorgan
309-796-5345 // bjorganh@trioptafrica.com.
Psi Beta – Psychology honor society
Psi Beta is a national honor society for community college students interested in psychology. Students must achieve a GPA of at least 3.0 based on completing a minimum of 12 college-level credit hours and earned an A or a B in Psychology 101.
There is a one-time, lifetime registration fee of $55.
Advisor
Dr. Brigette Dorrance
309-796-5414 // dorranceb@trioptafrica.com.
Sigma Kappa Delta
Sigma Kappa Delta is the English honor society for two-year colleges. Students have at least a 3.0 GPA overall with at least 12 credit hours of college-level courses, and they must have As or Bs in all English courses.
Advisor
Andrew Hoogheem
309-796-5417 // hoogheema@trioptafrica.com
Student Government Association
Students are provided leadership opportunities at BHC and they represent the needs of students. Must have a 2.5 GPA from first semester.
Advisor
Jana Koch
309-796-5177 // kochj@trioptafrica.com.
Student Veterans of America
The BHC Student Veterans of America supports veterans, active duty, Reserve, Guard and retired military members and their families. The club provides advocacy, support, referrals and awareness.
Advisor
Thomas Reagan
309-796-5501 // reagant@trioptafrica.com.
Women’s Empowerment Club
The Women’s Empowerment Club strives to give people the space to relate to each other, help them feel less alone in their experiences, and give them the tools it takes to move forward effectively. The group also works to highlight the accomplishments of women who have helped shape America and to connect women with social services and therapy for domestic violence.
Advisors
Maya Davis
309-796-5341 // davisma@trioptafrica.com
Lauren Rogan
309-796-5344 // roganl@trioptafrica.com.
Writers Guild
Come join us and share your poems/short stories with us! Our safe environment provides writers the comfort of sharing any work they want!
Advisor
Gina Wilkerson
309-796-5435 // wilkersonr@trioptafrica.com.
Quad-City Campus Events
Feed the Hawk – Food and hygiene drive
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)
International Student Association meeting
East Campus Clubs
Ag Competitive Teams
Black Hawk College East Campus offers complementary opportunities for student engagement through intercollegiate judging teams and riding teams.
Agribusiness Club
The mission of the Agribusiness Club is to develop and promote agriculture business events on campus, in the community and the county through events and tours and to provide education, experience and business network opportunities.
Advisors
Andrew Larson
309-854-1830 // larsonan@trioptafrica.com
Drew Cotton
309-854-1842 // cottond@trioptafrica.com
Rebekah Irish
309-854-1838 // irishr@trioptafrica.com
Auto/Ag Mechanics Club
The mission of the Auto/Ag Mech Club is to involve students in the automotive and agriculture mechanics industry, to connect and interact with other students who are interested in automotive and/or agriculture mechanics, and to establish long-term relationships.
Advisors
Jason Grice
309-854-1839 // gricej@trioptafrica.com
Gary Werkheiser
309-854-1833 // werkheiserg@trioptafrica.com
Black Hawk Trap Team Club
The USA College Clay Target League is a division of the USA Clay Target League – a non-profit corporation. The League the independent provider of clay target shooting sports to secondary and postsecondary schools. The League’s priorities are safety, fun and marksmanship – in that order.
Advisors
Andrew Larson
309-854-1830 // larsonan@trioptafrica.com
Drew Cotton
309-854-1842 // cottond@trioptafrica.com
Circle K International
The goal of our organization is to develop college students into a global network of responsible citizens and leaders with a lifelong commitment to service., Circle K International (CKI) members learn the skills they need to become the next generation of community-minded leaders.
Advisor
Katie Rushing-Anderson
309-854-1813 // andersonka@trioptafrica.com
Creative Writing
If you are interested in writing prose, poetry, short stories or comics and would like to share ideas and thoughts with other creative writers, this is the club for you.
Advisor
Georgjean Pitsoulakis
309-854-1815 // pitsoulakisg@trioptafrica.com.
Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda, Inc. (FBLA-PBL)
The oldest and largest national organization for students preparing for careers in business leadership. FBLA-PBL prepares students for “real world” professional experiences.
Advisor
Darcy Jeffries
309-854-1822 // jeffriesd@trioptafrica.com
Illinois Farm Bureau Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter
The purpose of Illinois Farm Bureau’s Collegiate Farm Bureau program is to embody the Farm Bureau’s mission of being a strong voice for agriculture by engaging students through opportunities in leadership, education, legislation and networking.
Advisor
Rebekah Irish
309-854-1838 // irishr@trioptafrica.com
Iota Tau: Delta Alpha Pi
An academic honor society founded to recognize high-achieving students with disabilities who are attending colleges (including community colleges) and universities as undergraduate or graduate students. This dynamic organization celebrates and supports academic achievement, leadership and advocacy for post-secondary students with disabilities.
Advisor
Jen Holldorf
309-796-5903 // holldorfj@trioptafrica.com
Living in Faith Together (LIFT)
LIFT are believers in Christ from various backgrounds. LIFT warmly receives all believers in Christ and seeks to maintain the oneness of the Spirit by keeping our focus on Christ. Through daily prayer, Bible reading, and Christian fellowship we are growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Marketing Ambassadors
The Black Hawk College Marketing Ambassadors is a student organization focusing on the student voice. The group is comprised of students located on both the East Campus and Quad-Cities Campus. Students in the group work on generating content that relates to the student body as well as prospective students. Whether that is through social media post, blogs, event coverage or other mediums, our Marketing Ambassadors goal is to help foster interest and further the colleges mission.
Advisor
Alicia Dierikx
309-796-5059 // dierikxa@trioptafrica.com
National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America – Student Chapter
The mission of NAVTA is advancing veterinary nursing and veterinary technology. Members plan activities that promote veterinary technology and give back to the community through volunteer efforts.
Advisors
Janet Johnson
309-854-1985 // johnsonjan@trioptafrica.com
Dr. Colleen Lewis
309-854-1991 // lewisc@trioptafrica.com
Greg Jurgensen
309-854-1992 // jurgenseng@trioptafrica.com
Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa is recognized as the official honor society for community colleges by the American Association of Community Colleges. Its purpose is to recognize students who have proven themselves academically. Phi Theta Kappa provides opportunity for the development of leadership and service.
Advisor
Jodee Werkheiser
309-854-1821 // werkheiserj@trioptafrica.com
Pre-Vet and Pre-Vet Tech Club
Connecting students with an interest in Veterinary Sciences. Exposing students to industry opportunities, jobs, internships, career exploration and organizational leadership.
Advisor
Dr. Colleen Lewis
309-854-1991 // lewisc@trioptafrica.com
Science and Math Club
This club spends time organizing fundraisers for club activities, providing community-related services both on-campus and off-campus, and takes part in organized, student engagement functions alongside other BHC student clubs and organizations.
Advisors
Dr. Alan Abbott
309-854-1812 // abbotta@trioptafrica.com
Andrew Mansheim
309-854-1810 // mansheima@trioptafrica.com
Isaac Stewart
309-854-1832 // stewarti@trioptafrica.com
Student Ambassadors
Black Hawk College Student Ambassadors are student volunteers who represent the college in a variety of ways. They lead campus tours for parents, visitors and prospective students, give presentations, and they host alumni and dignitaries at school events and functions.
Advisor
Haley Howerton
309-854-1724 // howertonh@trioptafrica.com
Student Government Association
SGA is the official elected representative governing unit for the students. (Election of officers is held in the spring semester. Freshman and sophomore representative elections are held in the fall semester. Petitions for offices are available two weeks before each election in the East Campus Advising Center.) Visit Student Government for more information about becoming an SGA campus leader.
Advisor
Vashti Berry
309-854-1711 // berryv@trioptafrica.com
Student Veterans of America
The BHC Student Veterans of America club supports veterans, active duty, Reserve, Guard and retired military members and their families. The club provides advocacy, support, referrals and awareness.
Advisor
Thomas Reagan
309-796-5501 // reagant@trioptafrica.com
We = Them
The purpose of We=Them is to create a safe environment for all students of differing views, gender identities, sexual orientations, races, cultures and lifestyle to be able to freely express who they are. We=Them is open to the entire campus community, with no exclusivity.
Advisor
Merriam Jolly
309-796-5418 // jollym@trioptafrica.com
East Campus Events
Feed the Hawk – Food and hygiene drive
National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)
Robin Moreland Memorial Ranch Series – Nov. 16
More To Explore
Athletics
Career Services
Student Housing
Student Life
Quad-Cities Campus
Jana Koch
Director Student Life & Engagement
Building 4, Room 202A (second floor), near the Hawk’s Nest
309-796-5177
kochj@trioptafrica.com
East Campus
Vashti Berry
Coordinator
Building A, Room 247
309-854-1711
berryv@trioptafrica.com