SARAH GABRIEL – Multimedia Reporting

HOST INTRO: As a CUNY, Baruch College is known to be a commuter school. However, students can find a deep sense of community and belonging through campus activities such as cultural clubs like the Himalayan Club or business professional clubs like IMG. I spoke with Stephanie Gabriel, Ascend’s President, to discuss how clubs have cultivated community on campus.

Track: I’m here with Stephanie on the third floor of Baruch’s Newman Vertical Campus where the club suites are located. Typically up to four clubs are placed in one suite and share the room throughout the semester.

ACT STEPH: The club suites are the best places to make friends and get involved with campus life. Sharing rooms means a mix of clubs that serve a unique purpose to Baruch’s student life.

Track: She explains that every club does something different

ACT STEPH: Ascend is a business social club meant to serve the pan-Asian community through connections and professional development, however, over time we have expanded to be an all-encompassing club. But we are one of the biggest pan-Asian organizations on campus. So as President, I am responsible for overseeing our 5 committees which include tech, social, fundraising, marketing, and professional. These committees host related workshops, plan events, and so on. Typically each committee has about 10 members. We’re a very big club.

Track: The committees bring together like-minded individuals who can connect socially and learn to network professionally.

ACT STEPH: Our purpose is to create a community, a safe space, with the addition of preparing our members for the professional world. Every club pretty much functions in a similar way but with its own unique goals. We also have a program called the Legacy Leadership Program which helps with career development through workshops and training. There’s just opportunity everywhere at Baruch. Some clubs are more professional and serious, some are more relaxed, and some are both. I think Ascend balances out the best of both worlds.

Track: Ascend is just one of many Baruch clubs that bring together students from all walks of life. There is a wide variety of opportunities for students to find their footing on campus. For Baruch College, I’m Sarah Gabriel.