When touring Tufts, prospective students often hear that the university is home to over 300 student organizations and that students are welcome to create their own if they do not see their interests represented. Last semester, several student groups did exactly that. From circus performance to origami to biotechnology, a new wave of student organizations is making its official debut this semester.
In order to create a recognized organization, students must compile a list of 15 members, create a constitution and budget and host at least three events open to the entire Tufts community in the preceding spring semester. After that, groups can make their case to the Tufts Community Union Judiciary to earn recognition and funding. While the process can be lengthy, Alexa Erb, the associate director of campus life, explained that the Office for Campus Life works to support students throughout it.
“The bulk of my role is supporting our student organizations on campus, whether that is providing training [or] event and programming support. I work to advise the TCUJ as they are going through the recognition and re-recognition process,” she said.
Among the newly recognized organizations are several cultural clubs, including the Central Asian Student Union, Tufts Hawai‘i Club and the Armenian Student Association. These groups aim to foster cultural connection through community-centered programming and events. CASU promotes Central Asian culture through baursak cooking demonstrations and collaborations with Suffolk and MIT student groups, while the Tufts Hawai‘i Club brings students together through lū‘aus, spam musubi making and lei workshops.
Similarly, ASA encourages students to explore Armenian culture and history through visits to the Armenian Museum of America, dance lessons and arts projects, such as writing their names in traditional Armenian script.
“There’s a very long and deep history between Armenians and Tufts University,” ASA President Kyle Pidejian said. “So it makes sense for us to have a club for … students to come together and meet and have a good time.”
Beyond cultural connection, several newly recognized clubs reflect students’ academic and professional interests. For instance, the Sub-Saharan African Research Group is dedicated to promoting discourse on cultural, political, historical and economic issues in sub-Saharan Africa. This is achieved through discussion sessions, conferences, guest lecturers, collaborations with other clubs, symposiums and an annual research trip to the region — this year to South Africa.
SSARG Co-President Makda Baraki emphasized how student-founded research organizations give students the opportunity to be “hands-on and be able to speak with people on the ground about a topic that [they are] interested in.”
Several newly-recognized preprofessional clubs also aim to support students’ career development. These include Alpha Kappa Psi, Tufts’ first co-ed professional fraternity focused on building students’ professional networks and business skills; Tufts Architecture and Design Society, which seeks to fosters interest in architecture through site visits — such as the Gropius House — and seminars with professors; and the Tufts Black Pre-Health Society, which cultivates a space for Black pre-health students through professional panels, study sessions and simulation labs.
The Tufts Biotech Club connects students with the biotechnology community in Boston to bridge the gap between academia and industry. They do this through company tours of biotechnology companies, fireside chats and a new industry mentorship program. Likewise, the Tufts Pre-Physician Assistant Society provides advice and resources for students interested in the physician assistant profession, including tours of Tufts University School of Medicine in Chinatown and panels with Tufts alumni in the field.
“There’s not as much widespread knowledge about this profession compared to, let’s say, doctors or physical therapists,” Pre-PA President Sofia Valencia said. “We’re hoping through this club to raise more awareness about it.”
In addition, the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers at Tufts is part of a national organization dedicated to advancing Asian heritage scientists and engineers in education and employment. Similarly, Tufts Women in Cybersecurity is part of a global organization that brings together women in the field through knowledge-sharing, networking and mentoring.
Women in Animation at Tufts represents the intersection of arts and career development. Whether through movie trips to see “Hoppers” (2026), guest speakers in the animation industry or flipbook-making sessions, the club organizes professional and social events for those interested in animation as a career or hobby.
“Preprofessional clubs in general help you understand the range of potential opportunities that exist that you otherwise would not know of,” Tufts Biotech Club Co-President Adhvith Reddy, said.
Newly recognized arts and performance clubs also reflect students’ growing interest in creative expression. Jumbo’s Revenge aims to make circus performance more accessible through workshops in tumbling, contortion and juggling, as well as classes at Esh Circus Arts, culminating in an end-of-semester showcase.
“Art and expression, such as performance, is something that is so inherently human, … and it should be accessible,” Sam Pepper, social media chair of Jumbo’s Revenge, said.
Other newly recognized performance groups include Tufts Corps de Ballet and Tufts Rangeela. Corps de Ballet is a classical ballet group that hosts weekly classes, variation workshops, trips to live performances and beginner classes. Tufts Rangeela is a Bollywood-focused dance group that incorporates a variety of Indian music styles and occasionally experiments with others, such as Afrobeats and Spanish music.
“Something that differentiates us from other dance clubs on campus is that you just need to give one hour a week, and you can learn. I had never danced before,” Tufts Rangeela Co-President Anika Agarwal said. “It’s just a space for me where I just come, dance, have some fun [and] make some new friends.”
Beyond performance, the newly-recognized clubs also foster visual art and creative writing. The Origami Club provides a space for students to practice folding structures and create their own paper through an SMFA partnership.
“It’s good to pivot away from academics and go more into things like the arts … that allow us to express ourselves more,” Origami Club founder JonJon Yang said.
New volunteer-focused clubs are also creating opportunities for community engagement. The Fluora Initiative provides support and resources for women in underrepresented and underserved communities, particularly unhoused and immigrant populations, through partnerships with Women’s Lunch Place in Newbury and trainings with organizations such as the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center and the Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence.
Tufts Hooked blends art and volunteerism, with members creating fiber art projects to donate to communities in need. The Tufts Pen Pal Club writes handwritten letters to non-native English-speaking students in Somerville public schools to support English writing skills. Together, these newly recognized clubs reflect Tufts students’ initiative to build community and explore their interests.
“Something that I think is really incredible about these new student organizations is this desire for continuing to build community and open up space where folks feel welcome,” Erb said.
Feeling inspired to start your own club? Here’s some advice from student leaders of these newly-recognized organizations:
“Trust the people that you’re working with and find the people that [are] worthy to work with. You guys are in this together,” Fluora Initiative co-founder Chloe Yi said.
“Don’t despair. You’re gonna feel like you’re not a real club for a hot minute … but you really just have to push through it,” Pepper said.
“Think more about the need you’re trying to fill [at Tufts] … I don’t think any interest is too niche,” Jonathan Chung, co-founder of the Tufts Biotech Club, said.
“Have fun with what you’re doing in your club. … Make stuff, organize events and do things that you find enjoyment in,” WIA co-lead Hannah Fiarman said.
