Student Activities
Find your people — from day one.
College is about more than earning a degree. It's about finding your community, exploring your interests, developing leadership skills, and creating memories that last a lifetime.
Where every interest finds a home.
College is about more than earning a degree. It's about finding your community, exploring your interests, and creating memories that last a lifetime. At Buena Vista University, three out of four students are involved in at least one campus organization, with 30+ clubs, leadership opportunities, athletics, and campus traditions that make it easy to find your place from day one. And if your passion doesn't exist yet, you can create it.
More Than 50 Ways to Get Involved
Your interests don't have to fit into one category. From academic and professional organizations to leadership, service, music, recreation, and special interests, you'll find opportunities to connect, grow, and make an impact from your first semester.
Explore a few of the many ways to get involved:
BV Buddies
Mentor local middle school students and make a difference through a partnership with the Storm Lake Community School District.
ServiceStudent MOVE
Make an impact through community engagement, volunteer projects, and service alongside fellow BVU students.
Community EngagementStudent Activities Board (SAB)
Help bring campus to life by planning events, entertainment, and activities that bring Beavers together.
LeadershipInternational Club
Celebrate cultures and build connections through taste nights, events, and shared experiences among international and domestic students.
CulturePre-Vet Club
Explore veterinary careers through educational activities, volunteering, and connections with students who share your interests.
Pre-ProfessionalStudent Association of Social Workers (SASW)
Explore social work and social justice through community service, conferences, professional development, and Jane’s Closet.
Academic & ProfessionalOrganization Categories
Whatever you're into, there's a group for you. Explore organizations by category and find where you belong.
Note: BVU does not have Greek life. Instead, students build lifelong bonds through the 30+ student-led organizations on campus.
Where Beaver Pride Comes to Life
Whether you're competing as an NCAA Division III student-athlete, performing with the band, or cheering from the stands, Beaver Athletics brings the campus together. From rivalry games to tailgates, game days are a tradition built on teamwork, school pride, and unforgettable moments.
Explore Beaver Athletics →Learn Beyond the Classroom
Some of the most valuable learning happens outside the classroom. Through leadership experiences, community service, campus employment, research, internships, and professional development opportunities, you'll build the confidence and skills that prepare you for life after graduation.
Explore Co-Curricular Opportunities
Community Service
Service is woven into BVU's identity. From campus-wide traditions to national programs, Beavers give back — not because they have to, but because it's who they are.
Give Back
These signature programs connect students to the community and to each other through meaningful volunteer experiences.
Buenafication Day
A beloved BVU tradition since 1980, Buenafication Day brings students, faculty, and staff together as classes pause for a day of service throughout Storm Lake and surrounding communities. It’s a celebration of service, connection, and Beaver spirit.
Peer Mentorship Program
Through a partnership with AmeriCorps and the Seed Coalition, BVU’s Peer Mentorship Program connects new students with trained peer mentors who help them build connections, navigate campus, and feel at home from day one.
Spring Break Service Trips
Many Beavers spend spring break giving back through Alternative Spring Break, traveling to communities to take part in meaningful service projects, bringing BVU’s Education for Service motto to life while building connections and making an impact beyond campus.