Over the summer, UHD has added the Sociology Club to its vast collection of student organizations. Previously held by sociology students who eventually graduated, the club's revival became a project that Rita Grove, a Sophomore majoring in Sociology, would unexpectedly take on.
"I was very nervous to join [the Sociology Club at UHD]. When I did, I realized, 'Wait a second, we're on the ground floor here. That's something I can do something with.'" Grove says.
For the past several months, Grove has embarked on singlehandedly reestablishing the Sociology Club at UHD, and it is now at nearly 60 members. Her previous experience has been founding the Christian organization at her middle school and doing outreach work throughout her life. Because of her unique perspective as someone in the older age bracket in higher education, Grove leads the organization as one for all ages and backgrounds.
"I am a 48-year-old college student who is schizophrenic and formerly homeless of over 20 years. I have two children and they're grown and out on their own and doing great," Grove explains. "But I don't want that to define who I am. I think I'm just an individual trying to find my place in this society."
Grove's interest in sociology came about during her experience being unhoused and having to make a living on the street. Making a sign and facing thousands of people a day made her keenly aware of her target audience and further analyze our society's behavior towards the impoverished.
The Sociology Club at UHD is focused on putting action on the discussions held during club meetings. The club's slogan, 'Observe. Understand. Impact.' serves as the model in which the organization will convert conversation into real-world change. Currently the club is planning collaborate with the UHD Gardening Club to repair the rainwater-catching system installed by an earlier class of the club. It will take place on at 9 a.m. - Noon, Saturday, Sept. 19, at Avenue Place Garden.
Grove also emphasizes the inclusive nature of the Sociology Club at UHD. Unlike most student organizations who seek students from a specific major or career path, the club welcomes all students to discuss anything from current issues such as the rise in AI usage in our social lives to what is taught in a social theory class.
"Sometimes the things that people think and hear and say make such an impact, and I think it only proves that sociology is for everybody and not just for someone who is in that field of study or in that major."
Visit the Sociology Club at UHD on CampusGroups