Get Involved at CAS

For a full list of clubs across the university, please visit Engage.

Dean's Student Advisory Council

We in the Dean’s Office are always seeking to improve how we implement American University’s educational and social mission. With that in mind, we want to make sure we have a mechanism in the College of Arts and Sciences to address issues that are relevant to undergraduate students, whether issues are of an academic, social, community, or ethical nature. More specifically, the purpose of the Dean’s Student Advisory Council is to

  • Identify issues of concern by reaching out to a wide range of undergraduate students and bringing those concerns to our meetings
  • Keep the Dean's Office in touch with student concerns and needs
  • Provide critical feedback on CAS plans
  • Be a communication liaison between CAS and the student body

Apply here  Current Members


Clubs and Organizations

For a full list of clubs across the university, please visit Engage.

Academic/Professional Clubs

  • Public Health Association at AU
    Our mission is to connect American University students who share an interest in public health, raise awareness of health issues, and serve for the better health of AU and the Washington D.C. community. We will support future public health professionals and their peers, encourage growth and development in all fields of public health, and contribute time and effort towards a healthier community. We will develop well-rounded public health professionals through diverse and engaging meetings, speakers, and events in all aspects of the public health sphere and create a community through social events and panels with current professors and alumni. 
  • Philosophy Club
    The Philosophy Club at American University is a discussion based club. We meet weekly to talk about different topics in the field and explore the diverse thought of philosophers throughout the centuries. The club also plans to host philosopher speakers.
  • Psychology Club
    Unlock minds, explore behavior, and join the AU Psychology Club! Discover the fascinating world of psychology with like-minded students.
  • Association for Computing Machinery: The purpose of American University Chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) is to engage Computer Science students in technology related activities and enrich their knowledge through field trips and speaker sessions.
  • Audio Engineering Society
    The Audio Engineering Society brings students and professionals together to improve their craft. We have student-run events on and off campus, including guest speakers and more!
  • Bailemos AU
    Bailemos AU's vision is to bring AU’s community together through Latin dancing. Our mission is to use dance as an avenue for intercultural and non-verbal exchange between American University students.
  • Bio Club @ AU
    Welcome to BioClub @ AU! We are a group of STEM students at American University that focus on bringing together students from every scientific discipline, hosting game nights, guest speakers, and many other kinds of events throughout the year.
  • BRAIN (Bringing Research And Interest in Neuroscience) at American University The purpose of this organization is to foster interest in Neuroscience in the AU community. We exist as an interdisciplinary club, open to individuals of all majors and degrees.
  • Creative Writing Club
    The creative writing club is an organization dedicated to providing a safe, open, collaborative space for students to create together. Through activities and readings, we foster a community of creative writers at AU that is dedicated to supporting and encouraging one another, whether someone is a long-time writer, or is just beginning to explore the craft. This club offers students a chance to produce their own work and appreciate the work of others in a space that prides itself as being generative and accepting.
  • Design Club at AU
    Design Club at AU provides undergraduate students a way to get critique, share resources, and become more involved in both AU's and DC's design communities. We aim to supplement the technical skills that design students learn in the classroom with opportunities to practice them in the real world, whether through freelance, internships, or passion projects.
  • Girls Who Code College Loop at American University
    Empower individuals to pursue careers in tech and provide a community for like-minded individuals who are excited to explore where coding skills can be used in their desired fields
  • HOSA: Future Health Professionals at AU
    An organization for any person interested in the health care field. Come join us as we help serve the community through volunteer service, and compete around the country in events like biomedical debate, CPR/First AID skills, and more!
  • MAKERS @ AU The purpose of MAKERS @ AU is to empower students to create! We want to form a community of creative people, hobbyists, entrepreneurs, tinkerers and those alike. MAKERS believes that all students should have a place where they can showcase their work, build comradery, and learn new ways to think. Utilizing the Design and Build Lab, MAKERS @ AU will provide a space where people can make!
  • Student Historical Society
    Founded in 2011, the SHS volunteers around the DC community, advocates for historic preservation, and works to promote the study of history here at AU.
  • Plant Futures at American University
    Plant Futures at AU focuses on education and multi-disciplinary learning around building sustainable, just, and plant-centric food systems while serving as a space and catalyst for professional development with careers in plant-centric food sectors.
  • Revolution: The AU Fashion Society
    Revolution: The AU Fashion Society is an organization for anyone interested in fashion on AU's campus. We hold events, discussions, and create a space for those who enjoy fashion, while exposing students to career realities and the fashion industry.
  • Robotics Club @ AU
    Working to further promote and engage more students in STEM related projects.

CAS-related Affinity Groups

  • AU Women in STEM
    Our purpose is to build a supportive community for women and non-binary identifying individuals in science at AU.
  • Black Arts Collective
    to give a space for members of the African Diaspora the ability to produce art and explore creativity in a way that is not surrounded by academia
  • Underrepresented Students in STEM
    A club aimed to support underrepresented students in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and provide them with the tools they need to succeed which they may have otherwise never received. We aim to not only help student maximize individual potential and give mentorship, guidance, and financial support in furthering education to fuel the next generation of STEM leaders.
  • SACNAS
    The Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) is a national STEM organization that fosters a community of students who are dedicated to studying and pursuing careers in the STEM field. Despite the focus of its name, SACNAS represents all populations of underrepresented students in the STEM field. Being an underrepresented student at a PWI can make it challenging to find a place where you feel comfortable and being in STEM specifically amplifies these feelings of not belonging. Here, at American University, we want every student to feel seen, know their opportunities, and get connected with other students and professionals from similar backgrounds.

Performance Groups

  • AU in Motion
    AU's largest student-led dance club.
  • Treble in Paradise
    Treble in Paradise is American University's first all-women and non-binary a cappella group. Since 2004, Treble has worked to create fun, beautiful music and life-long friendships.
  • Gospel Choir at American University
    American University Gospel Choir is a welcoming group full of people enthusiastic for gospel music. Everyone is welcome, regardless of religious affiliation. We rehearse once a week on Wednesdays from 8:20pm-10:50pm in Kay Spiritual Life Center.
  • On A Sensual Note
    On a Sensual Note (OASN) is the premier collegiate a cappella singing ensemble of American University. Founded in the fall of 1996, OASN is the University's oldest a cappella ensemble. The group is considered a low-voice group meaning anyone who sings tenor, baritone, or bass can audition. The ensemble performs regularly at campus events, tours and visits other schools, and participates in regional festivals. OASN's most popular events include its biannual end-of-semester concerts in the Kay Spiritual Life Center, a tradition which has been mirrored by newer performing ensembles.
  • Dime a Dozen

    Founded in 2000, Dime a Dozen is AU's premier gender inclusive a cappella group! Dime loves to have fun but also works passionately to always perform our best! Covering various artists and genres, we present a diverse repertoire which all can enjoy.

  • Pitches Be Trippin' A Cappella
    Pitches Be Trippin' is AU's newest upper voice a cappella group at American University. Pitches has been making music and memories of all upper voice musical styles in support of women-aligned causes since 2013.
  • Quills and Capes
    Quills and Capes (Q&C) is the home for the creation and production of new student-written theatrical works at American University. We aim to generate stories that embody the empathy, inclusivity, passion, and power of our generation. We are, at heart, a community of playwrights, performers, directors, dramaturges and designers who come together to dive into one another's work and help each other reach our full potential as storytellers.
  • Rude Mechanicals of The American University
    The Rude Mechanicals are American University's premiere classical theatre troupe, committed to making Shakespeare and classic theatre more accessible to everyone. Our mission is to provide a creative outlet for AU students with a passion for theatre and a love for Shakespeare, to produce quality shows for the AU community, and to reinterpret classical works within a modern context.

Student Media

American University Television
ATV is the only video-based media organization on campus, focusing on broadcast television and creative projects. All of our programs are hosted, produced, edited, and managed by students. We have three branches, news, sports, and creative, where we strive to produce professional journalism and film. ATV’s studio is located on the second floor of the Mary Graydon Center in MGC 256, which we also share with WVAU, the campus radio station.

  • AWOL (American Way of Life)

    AWOL pushes ourselves and American University to be more critical of issues that deserve to be understood with nuance; to work subversively when dismantling barriers that suppress certain voices; and to love irrepressibly when it comes to serving our community. We ignite campus discussions on social, cultural and political issues. We want to make our campus more inquiring, egalitarian and socially engaged. Our reporting is impartial and fair, but our analysis is critical and argumentative.

  • EGO
    The virtual fashion magazine of AU. Ego's purpose is to create fashion-oriented content for AU students by AU students. From writing journalistic pieces about the fashion industry's happenings to photographing the various styles of our fellow AU classmates, we at Ego strive to create community over clothing and build connections with all interested in fashion, no matter your major or field of interest.
  • Her Campus American

    Her Campus is a women and non-binary run media organization with an active online publication presence. Her Campus American is a part of the larger Her Campus organization and publishes unique articles on a wide range of topics including politics and pop-culture. HCAU publishes its own magazine each semester under the title "Collegiette" which is compiled of longform articles, photographs and designs from the HCAU writing and design teams.

  • Patch Notes
    Patch Notes is a student-run print and online magazine dedicated to publishing informative and educational content about board and video games, the people who engage with them, and the industry as a whole; while providing a welcoming space for American University students to produce content about the games they love while developing their journalism skills. Articles will be written with a focus on how board and video games affect the people who play, create, and engage with them; the industry that produces them; and their impact on pop culture, politics and the world.
  • Photo Collective
    Photo Collective is a community of student photographers, filmmakers and visual artists.
  • Second District Records
    American University's Independent Student-Run Record Label. The DMV is known for its 'First District' – the domination of politics and international relations. But there is, however, a 'Second District,' one that people fail to recognize – the heavy, vibrant music scene that has come to represent the area in various ways. We at SDR want to embrace the music, talent, and diversity of the DMV – we believe in the power of being different.
  • Spoon University
    Spoon University is a food site for the next generation. We cover everything from new menu items and dining hall reviews, to tips on hosting a dinner party and the latest food trends and pop culture moments. Spoon is powered by student contributors across the country, who make up a network of over 3,000 students at over 100 campuses nationwide.
  • The American Agora
    The American Agora is American University's student media center for substantive commentary on politics, public policy, foreign affairs, and campus issues. Our writers are analytically-minded student columnists writing hard-hitting articles.
  • The Blackprint
    The Blackprint is an online and print publication at American University. We serve as a platform for raising minority issues and an amplifier of marginalized voices. As a part of student media board, our primary goal is to inform people of what’s going on in their school community, keep them up to date with the latest cultural happenings, cover local events, and highlight the work of student leaders. We invite all minds and majors on this endless journey to stay honest, stay brilliant and #staywoke.
  • The Eagle
    The Eagle is AU's award-winning student-run newspaper that publishes daily content online and prints two special editions per semester.The Eagle publishes content daily across multiple platforms and prints two special editions per semester. It has a staff of 115 and a number of leadership roles and different sections.
  • WVAU
    With a staff of over 120 student DJs, WVAU offers unique musical programming and a perspective that you won’t find anywhere else. Our staff brings you daily articles and music reviews that you can find on WVAU.org and our DJs offer shows streamed online all day long. Outside of the studio, WVAU brings in local and touring artists every semester for interviews, in-studio performances, and our Capitol Boogie free concert series. All of our events are free and open to the public.