Student perspective: Why I got involved on campus

By: Lidaou Edjeou, BS’21

Hello everyone!

My name is Lidaou Edjeou, and I am currently a junior majoring in marketing and international studies with a minor in French. On campus I am involved in numerous organizations, like the Student African American Sisterhood, African Student Association, Black Student Union and the Women in Business club.

I joined several multicultural clubs on campus to be more connected with my roots and who I am. One of the top reasons I decided to go to IUPUI was because diversity and inclusion are a big part of campus leadership’s goals on campus. There are so many student organizations created to help everyone find their safe space. It doesn’t actually matter who you are, or what you look like, you can always find a tribe within any of the organizations.

I’ve been involved with the African Student Association (ASA) and the Black Student Union (BSU) since my freshman year. I joined to meet new people and complete service projects, and it was a really good way to get out of my dorm room! At the time, I spent a lot of time with ASA: I would volunteer for service days, cleanups and I attended their meetings and social events. I even joined their dance team, which I still think is hilarious because I do not know how to dance at all. I was quickly able to make new friendships. Since most campuses have similar organizations, it’s a good way to network with students or staff from other schools. Organizational leadership and involvement on my resume also helped me gain several internships just because of that differentiation from other students who may not have that experience. Being able to balance academics, work and organizations has truly made me a well-rounded student.

Last year, I joined the Student African American Sisterhood (SAAS), Women in Business and the Kelley Enthusiasts. Since I am a business major, it was one of my goals to join a Kelley School of Business student organization. The Women in Business club was the right fit for me because of the panels the organization hosts for networking opportunities with women all over the globe. I applied to be a Kelley Enthusiast because I do have a ton of school spirit, and it’s just like being a brand ambassador! It’s perfect for students who enjoy social media, networking and being creative daily.

As for SAAS, it has quickly grown to be one of my favorite organizations. It’s all about personal growth and understanding your values as an individual. There’s no judgment over what you like or who you are; the organization is really there to help support you in any way they can. In celebration of Black History Month, SAAS hosted “Sunday Dinner,” which was an event to eat and play games. It was a lot of fun seeing everyone, and I really enjoyed the atmosphere.

It’s simple to commit to going to meetings or events, because all of these organization give you bits and pieces of what helps you grow as a successful college student.

I encourage IUPUI students to check out The Spot website and find the right organization for their wants and needs: There are over 500 to choose from!