Get involved!

There are a number of student organizations and activities for students to participate in at Allen College. Active involvement in a student organization or activity often leads to personal and professional development and may lead to the establishment of long-lasting friendships. Student activities are also a place to have fun.

Get involved and help make one or more of the student organizations the best they can be.

  • Student Professional Organizations: ASRO, ASNA, SOTA, SPTA
  • Other Student Organizations: NCF, Student Ambassadors
  • Honor Society: Pi Kappa Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society
  • Other Opportunities: ROTC Program, Student Representative on College Committees

Student Professional Organizations

Allen Student Radiography Organization

ASRO is a student-led organization that focuses on students’ volunteering and community service activities. 

  • All current ASR students are members of the ASRO. 
  • There are no annual dues.
  • ASRO plans and participates in fundraising and community service activities.
  • ASRO also participates in activities to promote Allen College and the ASR program. 

Officers:
Officers are elected annually to a one-year term beginning summer semester.  

  • President - Schedules and conducts meetings; presents student body concerns to administration, Enrollment Management, and/or program director/dean as appropriate. The president is invited to attend the ASR advisory committee meeting.
  • Vice President - Lends organizational assistance to the president; coordinates all committee work; assumes the duties of the president in his/her absence.
  • Secretary - Records minutes of all student meetings; conducts correspondence; facilitates communication to members via bulletin board or other means.
  • Class Representatives - Each class has representatives who serve on the ASRO. Representatives are responsible for communication between the organization and the student body.

ASRO Faculty Advisor:
Don Bishop (319) 226-2032 | Don.Bishop@us1788.com

Allen Student Nurses Association

The Allen Student Nurses' Association (ASNA) is a local chapter of the Iowa Association of Nursing Students (IANS); IANS is a constituent of the National Student Nurses' Association (NSNA).

  • Annual dues include membership in all three organizations.
  • Business meetings are held monthly.
  • Programs are offered to enhance professional growth and career development.
  • Benefits of ASNA membership include leadership development, career counseling, professional skill enhancement, and the establishment of networking relationships with other student nurses at the local, state, and national levels.

ASNA Faculty Co-Advisors:
Alisha Engel (319) 226-2083 | Alisha.Engel@us1788.com
Ashley Ollendieck (319) 226-2041 | Ashley.Ollendieck@us1788.com

National Student Nurses' Association (NSNA)

NSNA is the only national organization for students of nursing. The purpose of the National Student Nurses' Association is "to aid in the development of the individual student and to urge students of nursing, as future health care professionals, to be aware of and to contribute to improving the health care of all people." Students paying annual dues and who are involved in the Allen Student Nurses' Association (ASNA) are automatically members with rights and responsibilities in the NSNA.

Learn more about NSNA

Student Occupational Therapy Association
Allen College's Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) is a student led organization designed to support the professional growth of Allen College Occupational Therapy students, by enhancing their knowledge and understanding of the profession through engagement in professional, educational, and community activities.
Student Physical Therapy Association

The mission of the Allen College Student of Physical Therapy Association (SPTA) is to engage in diverse learning while fostering leadership within the DPT program, engagement in the community and commitment to lifelong learning.

  • All current PT students are members of the SPTA.
  • SPTA meets annually and as needed.

SPTA Faculty Advisor:
Dawn Osborne (310) 226-2564 | Dawn.Osborne@us1788.com

Other Student Organizations

Nurses' Christian Fellowship

The NCF is an interdenominational organization open to nursing students at Allen College. Members spend time with each other sharing and receiving spiritual encouragement in their life journeys. 

Mission: The mission of NCF is for nursing students and faculty to be encouraged, equipped, empowered:

  • Encouraged to grow in faith in the context of nursing school
  • Equipped to integrate faith with nursing through Bible study and spiritual care resources
  • Empowered to share your faith with other nursing students and faculty

Meeting Schedule: Currently on hold

Student Ambassadors
The Allen College Student Ambassadors are a select group of students dedicated to promoting the College. The Ambassadors represent Allen College to prospective students and their families, as well as alumni, the community, and other audiences. Serving as an essential component of the total marketing and recruiting effort, Student Ambassadors are vital to the success of Allen College.
 
Responsibilities: 
  • Positively represent Allen College
  • Assist the Admissions office in the recruitment process
  • Act as an ambassador to visitors of the College at various events
  • Attend required meetings
  • Complete the required hours of service each semester
  • Foster student engagement through on campus student activities
  • Respond in a timely manner to group emails and requests
  • Be in good academic and financial standing with the College
  • Complete Heart of a Leader training
Eligibility:
  • Enthusiastic and positive attitude
  • Strong work ethic to perform assigned tasks
  • An ability to start conversations with alumni and prospective students
  • A genuine desire to help Allen College remain successful
  • Minimum of 3.0 GPA
  • Completion of at least one semester at Allen College
Why Become an Ambassador?
  • To serve and give back to Allen College
  • Sharpen communication and public speaking skills
  • Meet and network with alumni, current students, and future students
  • Build your resume and gain leadership experience

Ambassador Advisors:
Shanna Pikora
Shanna.Pikora@us1788.com | (319) 226-2007

Monica Berning
Monica.Berning@us1788.com | (319) 226-2008

Applications:
Applications are accepted each fall and spring semester. Contact Shanna Pikora to learn more.

 

Ambassador group picture

Honor Society

Pi Kappa Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau

Sigma Theta Tau International, Honor Society of Nursing, is dedicated to improving the health of people worldwide through increasing the scientific base of nursing practice.

  • More than 405,000 members have been inducted worldwide.
  • The honor society has more than 130,000 active members.
  • Members reside in 86 countries.
  • 46% of active members hold master's and/or doctoral degrees; 26% are staff nurse/clinicians; 21% are nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists or clinical specialists; 18% are administrators or supervisors; and 22% are educators or researchers.
  • There are 469 chapters on college campuses in Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ghana, Hong Kong, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Swaziland, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, Wales, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Chapter Counselor:
Kris Jasper
Kristen.Jasper2@us1788.com | (319) 226-2095

Other Opportunities

ROTC Program

The Department of Military Science at the University of Northern Iowa administers the Army Reserve Officer's Training Corps (ROTC) program. This program is available to Allen College nursing students.

  • ROTC offers classes containing the basic concepts and principles of military science. Classes emphasize individual and small group leadership development, ethics, integrity and responsibility.
  • Nursing students enrolled in the program have the opportunity to gain valuable, hands-on experience with Army Nurses during a six-week leadership camp after their junior year of college.
  • Students may apply for two-, three- and four-year ROTC scholarships which pay full or partial tuition and fees.
  • Additionally, contracted students / cadets receive a yearly tuition stipend and a yearly book stipend. 

Scholarships are based on academic merit and winners incur a military obligation upon graduation from Allen College. The program is normally four years long and a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army usually results. However, students can enter the program as late as the junior year if they qualify. There is no military obligation up to the start of the Junior year of ROTC unless you are a scholarship recipient. 

ROTC Faculty Advisor:
Dr. Kendra Williams-Perez

More Information: Contact Kendra.Williams-Perez@us1788.com or (319) 226-2044

Student Representation on College Committees

Student representatives are on Allen College committees regarding admissions, curriculum, evaluation and study, community service and diversity and inclusion.

  • Students are invited to participate in bringing a student perspective to these important committees as they deal with and discuss various aspects of the Allen College community.
  • This commitment includes attendance at scheduled meetings.

Advisor:
Shanna Pikora
Shanna.Pikora@us1788.com | (319) 226-2007

Interested in being a student representative on a committee? Contact Shanna Pikora. 
Group photo of ambassadors