University of Virginia students have varied interests and ideas, many of which are realized through involvement in student organizations and activities. As a unit of the Office of the Dean of Students, Student Engagement is here to provide resources which help you turn your ideas into reality. Our mission is to engage students and the University community in self-governance and promote citizen leadership.Located on the first floor and lower level of Newcomb Hall in the PAC (suite 164), you will find a team of student staff, student volunteers, and professional staff who can help you find your place at UVA through involvement in a student organization, participating in an event, involving yourself in student legislation, or creating something new. 

The purpose of the Student Planners Association at UVA (“SPA”) is to promote the general understanding of urban planning practice at the University of Virginia (“UVA”) and UVA School of Architecture (“A-School”) and to support the professional and academic development of our members. SPA is a Planning Student Organization (PSO) as defined by the American Planning Association (APA).SPA performs the following services, but is not limited to:Assisting members with conference funding;Serving as a liaison between the student body, department faculty, and the A-School;Organizing events for students, the department, and the A-School;Assisting students with professional development through training and networking opportunities with the APA and other professional organizations;Equally incorporate graduate and undergraduate students; Helping to orient incoming students.

Our generation has grown up in the midst of a gun violence crisis that worsened even through the COVID-19 pandemic. We should not have to fear for our lives at school, at sporting events, or at concerts. That’s why we’re rising up and organizing at UVA.Students Demand Action advocates for gun safety legislation locally and nationwide as well as proven community intervention solutions to gun violence in Charlottesville, Virginia. We focus on mitigating the causes and effects of all forms of gun violence that plague our country by organizing in communities to educate students, register voters, and demand common-sense solutions to this national public health crisis. We work to prevent gun violence because it is the leading cause of death for children and teens in the United States. Every day, more than 100 people are shot and killed and over 200 more are wounded. The daily toll of gun violence in our country doesn’t always make headlines, but this violence affects everyone, everywhere.After the tragedy we experienced in our community on November 13th, 2022, we realized enough is enough. We have restarted the University of Virginia's chapter of Students Demand Action and we are ready to fight for a cause that will not only better our community of Charlottesville, but save lives.1 | 15 | 41

SERV is a student activist organization that works towards legislative solutions in Virginia state politics. Members research policy, network in the Virginia chambers, and lobby to propose and pass legislation that works toward equitable reform in Virginia.

S.I.L. is an active, student-run organization devoted to the principles of classical liberalism/libertarianism. S.I.L. is an educational, non-political organization; our purpose is to disseminate information and encourage debate on public policy issues from a free-market, individual rights perspective. Each year, we sponsor several events, including speakers, forums, debates, and information tables.

SEEDS for Change (Students of Education Engaged in Diversity Scholarship) is a student organization committed to challenging dominant narratives, disrupting systems of oppression and inequity, empowering students to recognize and activate their agency, and creating sustainable changes within the School of Education and Human Development’s community.Mission & VisionTo create a supportive environment for courageous conversations and productive struggle surrounding issues of race, religion, gender, abilities, socio-economic status, and sexual orientationTo continuously reflect on our own biases, cultural assumptions, and dimensions of privilege while demanding the same of the School of Education and Human Development communityTo critically audit for, and uncover, normative power dynamics and advocate for equity and social justiceTo provide opportunities for networking and interdisciplinary action with the goal of creating critically-engaged change agentsCore ValuesCommunityAdvocacyEducationSocial Justice

Sunrise UVA is a hub of the national Sunrise Movement, which is a movement of young people fighting to stop the climate crisis and win a Green New Deal. We are fighting to end the reign of fossil fuel elites, invest in Black, brown and working class communities, and create millions of good union jobs. We’re on a mission to put everyday people back in charge and build a world that works for all of us, now and for generations to come. The Sunrise UVA hub is committed to empower and educate students, alumni, and faculty through environmental justice advocacy.

SOCKS! We aim to Support Oncologic Communities, Kids, and Students. Our goal is to provide aid to Charlottesville's Children's Hospital and UVA Cancer Center through care packages. We will be hosting fundraising events that will directly impact the children and staff in both organizations. We’re called SOCKS because many chemotherapy treatments can cause numbness and tingling in the extremities, and all of our care packages include a pair of comfy socks because we want our gifts to be uplifting and supporting in such a challenging time. 

Surfrider at UVA is a student club of the Surfrider Foundation. We are a dedicated community of students who seek to protect the coasts and oceans that we love. Surfrider at UVA provides a welcoming and inclusive environment for anyone who wants to engage in environmental service and learn more about sustainability advocacy. We organize 2-3 trips to Virginia Beach and the Outer Banks a semester to perform beach clean-ups with the VA and OBX Surfrider Chapters, design curriculums for local schools about the importance of protecting the environment, and travel to DC to learn about the policy process. Most importantly, we foster an environment where Hoos can share their love of the ocean (whether you can surf or not!) by cultivating leaders amongst our members who can organize effectively and think critically. At its core, Surfrider is a culture in which anyone is welcome to come and explore the East Coast while learning how to work collaboratively to achieve the Surfrider Foundation's mission.