Student Life

Student Activities and Involvement

Get involved!

students celebrating

Your Campus. Your Life. Get Involved!

Saying that there is a lot going on at DeSales would be an understatement. We have tons of clubs and organizations, events, and activities around campus throughout the year.

From concerts and standup comedy to lectures, athletic events, festivals and dances, and trips to major East Coast cities and abroad, there is always something happening at DeSales. Whether you get involved in intramural sports, a club, or a cause, you won’t have any problems keeping life interesting at DeSales.

student leaders during move-in

Student Engagement and Leadership

The Office of Student Engagement and Leadership (SEAL) at DeSales is dedicated to helping students get involved on campus and develop their leadership skills. SEAL offers a wide range of programs and services designed to enhance the student experience, including the Character U and Orientation programs and DeSales Student Organizations (DSOs). The office plans and implements a variety of campus-wide events throughout the year, including welcome week activities, involvement fairs, and annual traditions like the Octoberfest, DeSales Got Talent and the Tree Lighting.

Leadership Opportunities

students at an information table

National Society of Leadership and Success

The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) is the largest leadership honor society in the United States. The DeSales NSLS chapter was created in 2017 and continues to grow larger every year. The organization is dedicated to providing students with the tools and resources they need to succeed and positively impact their communities. NSLS offers a comprehensive leadership program with workshops, guest speakers, and networking opportunities to help students develop leadership skills.   

Membership in NSLS is based on academic achievement and exemplary leadership potential. By joining NSLS, students can become part of a nationwide community of leaders. NSLS equips students with the transferable skills they need to achieve their goals, even after graduation.

Visit NSLS on BARK

students gathering at a table

First-Year Leadership Summit 

The First-Year Leadership Summit (FLS) at DeSales is an exciting opportunity for incoming first-year students to develop leadership skills and get involved on campus. The summit offers a variety of workshops and activities designed to help students identify and develop their unique leadership styles. Students will connect with other first-years and learn about character and leadership from current student leaders. Students will develop communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills through engaging discussions and team-building exercises. FLS is an excellent way for students to jump-start their college experience and set themselves up for success as leaders on campus and beyond.   

Email seal@desales.edu for more information. 

students making posters and flags

Student Government Association

The Student Government Association (SGA) at DeSales University is a student-led organization that serves as a voice for the student body. SGA promotes student interests, addresses concerns, and fosters a strong sense of community on campus. The organization also plans and implements a wide range of events, including campus-wide social events and leadership development opportunities. SGA oversees many DeSales traditions such as senior events, the Fall Ball, Tree Lighting, and Formal.

SGA members are elected by their peers and advocate for the student body. Members regularly meet with the university staff and administration to address important issues. By getting involved with SGA, students can make a long-lasting, meaningful impact on their college experience. SGA leaders gain valuable skills and knowledge that will serve them well even after graduation. 

Visit SGA on BARK

What's Happening on Campus?

students playing spikeball on campus

Campus Activities Board (CAB)

This student-run organization is dedicated to enhancing the college experience through various events and activities. Students can join CAB to help plan and execute events or just participate in all the organization has to offer.

Visit CAB on BARK
creative writing club

Clubs and Organizations

DeSales offers a wide variety of student organizations that cater to a diverse range of interests. With over 40 active organizations, there is something for everyone!

Find Clubs on BARK
students in Paris France

International Experiences

Every spring break, SEAL sponsors a trip to an international country. he trip is open to all students in good academic and disciplinary standing. Recent trips have included England, France, Italy, and Scotland.

Email SEAL for More Information
rosary beads on a statue

Spiritual Life

Campus Ministry warmly welcomes all students to grow in their baptismal commitment and to live their daily lives passionately well.

Campus Ministry

Salesian Solidarity

DeSales strives to provide an atmosphere that promotes the academic, social, and personal development of students from a variety of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. In that endeavor, the University operates a Solidarity Office to ensure and protect these practices.

DeSales:

  • recognizes and respects cultural differences among the student body;
  • provides a comfortable environment where differences are met with love;
  • highlights those who have paved the path to equality;
  • educates students on how to accept and love themselves while continuing their journey to holistic growth.

Solidarity at DeSales

Solidarity is an action on behalf of the one human family, calling all of us to help overcome the divisions in our world. The DeSales Solidarity Initiative is to provide students, faculty, and staff with a new understanding of this human family while encouraging them to “be who they are and be that well.” We inspire mutual respect, the development of friendships, and learning about the realities of each other’s lives through compassion and patience. We commit to fostering the holistic growth of the DeSales community by opening a dialogue and investing in the good of one’s neighbor.

Service & Volunteer Work

It's said that charity begins at home. That's especially true here at our DeSales home, where our students participate in 24,000+ hours of service.

Through the Center for Service and Social Justice (CSSJ), students serve the local, national, and international communities via service projects. It’s here that the mission of DeSales and the philosophy of Christian humanism come alive. Projects can take a few minutes or a few weeks. Giving blood. Tutoring kids or visiting the elderly. Building homes stateside for a families in need. Heading out with Feed the Children to develop sustainable food security in Central and South America to working with the Sisters of Charity in Kolkata, India. There are lots and lots of opportunities to explore for these wonderfully rewarding and educational experiences.

students planting a tree
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