Student Organizations

Valpo’s chapter of Alpha Kappa Delta (AKD), the international honor society in sociology, recognizes academic excellence and fosters a global network for students. 

Founded in 1920, the organization’s purpose is to publicly acknowledge, honor, and encourage excellence in the study of sociology. By promoting academic research, social, and intellectual activities that will ultimately benefit society, AKD supports students through a far-reaching social network

Eligible juniors and seniors majoring in sociology can join and enjoy lifetime membership. Benefits include journal access, national conference opportunities, and student competitions. 

Eligibility Requirements:

• Be a junior or senior in good standing
• Be a major in sociology
• Have completed a minimum of four regular sociology courses at Valpo
• Possess at least a 3.3 overall GPA, and
• Possess at least a 3.5 GPA in sociology and criminology courses taken at Valpo.

Valpo’s SCRIM Club is a student-led organization that hosts game nights and other social events, provides networking opportunities, and offers career exploration for aspiring sociologists and criminologists.

All students, regardless of major or interest area, are welcome to attend meetings and participate in club activities.

SCRIM Club activities vary from year to year, as officers solicit student input in designing programs and activities. Past activities have included a variety of professional speakers, film nights, a murder mystery night, field trips to a crime lab, informal social events, and more.

If you are interested in joining, please email and request that your name be included in the email distribution list.

Valpo students can get involved with the University’s chapter of Enactus, the largest global business and higher education network in the world. Enactus connects students who are committed to making a positive impact on the world through business, with competitions, networking, and access to business leaders. The organization spans 33 countries and supports student entrepreneurship and innovation that supports a better world.

For more information, email Professor Sedefka Beck at sedefka.beck@valpo.edu.

Omicron Delta Epsilon is one of the world’s largest academic honor societies in economics.Omicron Delta Epsilon recognizes scholastic attainment and the honoring of outstanding achievements in economics.

Omicron Delta Epsilon has nearly 700 chapters located in the United States, Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Mexico, South Africa, Egypt, France, Kazakhstan, and the United Arab Emirates.

The requirements for admission for undergraduates are:

• Completion of at least 12 credit hours of economics courses with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in all economics classes
• Attainment of an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
• A student does not need to be an economics major to apply, but the student must have a genuine interest in economics in addition to meeting the above requirements.

Pi Gamma Mu‘s mission is to encourage and recognize superior scholarship in social science disciplines and to foster cooperation and social service among its members. Pi Gamma Mu serves the various social science disciplines which seek to understand and explain human behavior and social relationships as well as their related problems and issues. Currently, there are around 150 active chapters in the United States and overseas.

Pi Gamma Mu’s constitution defines the social sciences to include the disciplines of history, political science, sociology, anthropology, economics, psychology, international relations, criminal justice, social work, social philosophy, history of education, and cultural/human geography. Membership is also extended to interdisciplinary social science areas that build on the core social science disciplines, such as business and society, education, minority studies, public administration, international studies, public finance, leadership studies, consumer behavior, public policy, and organizational behavior.

The requirements for admission for undergraduates are:  

• Completion of at least twenty semester hours/credits in the Social Sciences;
• having an average grade of “B” or better in all Social Sciences courses;
• Students need not have a major or minor in the Social Sciences to qualify for membership.

Valpo’s Pi Sigma Alpha chapter recognizes outstanding political science students through academic distinction, civic engagement, and networking opportunities. Members attend events, contribute to discussions on campus and beyond, and are honored at an annual banquet. Eligibility includes a GPA of 3.25+, with 10 hours of political science coursework completed.

To learn more, contact the advisor, Professor Jennifer Hora, at or visit the national website.