Participating in a student organization is an important experience at Iowa State, allowing students to build passions, skills and talents beyond the academic classroom. More than 200 of ISU's 850+ student organizations are related to economic, environmental and social sustainability, making it easy for students to enrich their own lives while also bettering their local, national and global communities. With opportunities to build solar-powered cars, volunteer with wildlife or learn a new language, joining a green student organization is fun and rewarding. View our full list of sustainability-related student organizations and learn more via the categories provided below.

Three Facets Diagram

Note: ISU student organizations — like many aspects of our lives — often align with multiple areas of sustainability. However, Live Green! has placed each organization into the category that we believe best represents its mission so students can easily find organizations that align with their own interests. Don't see your organization? E-mail us, and we will add it to the list!

Many Iowa State student organizations work to ensure that economic growth maintains a healthy balance with our ecosystem. To do so, these student organizations focus on enhancing business and entrepreneurship skills; helping disenfranchised people build economic empowerment; and promoting sustainability initiatives in the economic sector.

Do you like riding your bike, planting tomatoes or creating online tools? Student organizations in this category provide an opportunity to interact with the ecological services that are vital to the survival of all species on Earth. In general, these organizations focus on: 

Agriculture

Animals

Environmental Education and Awareness

Outdoor Recreation

Technology

At Iowa State, we want our students to grow into global citizens that value all people. Social sustainability supports initiatives related to adopting healthy lifestyle habits, empowering needy individuals and providing young leaders with the tools needed to succeed. Student organizations involved in social sustainability focus on:

  • Diversity: Celebrating Iowa State's multi-cultural student body.
  • Leadership: Training the next generation of change-makers. 
  • Philanthropy: Raising money and providing services for charitable causes.
  • Public Health: Promoting wellness practices that benefit our local and global communities.

Diversity

Leadership

Philanthropy

Public Health