Club Awareness 2026 introduces SMC’s student organizations

Santa Monica College (SMC) Pico Animal Club (PAC) Secretary Joseph Hwang (Left) poses with SMC student Jeryko Niba (Right) during Club Awareness Day on the SMC Main Campus Quad on Tuesday, Sept. 29th, 2026, in Santa Monica, Calif. Hwang is one of the founding members of PAC, a new club that started this semester to support local animal shelters. Niba is a freshman majoring in Communications. (Guillermo De La Barreda | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College (SMC) Adelante Club Secretary Vanessa Gutierrez, a Child Education major, serves candy to Cheer Club members during Club Awareness Day on the SMC Main Campus Quad on Tuesday, Sept. 29th, 2026, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Silke Eichholz | The Corsair)

Interior Architectural Design Club president Clara De Donno, left, and Inter-Club Council representative Yishak Yetemgeta pose at the club's table during Club Awareness on the Main Quad at Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. The club is a sister organization of SMC's NOMAS Architecture Club. (Jiayi Jiang | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College (SMC) Cheer Club members cheer during Club Awareness Day on the SMC Main Campus Quad on Tuesday, Sept. 29th, 2026, in Santa Monica, Calif. The Cheer Club meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:15 am to 12:45 pm in the Cheer Room at Drescher Hall and welcomes members of all genders and skill levels. (Silke Eichholz | The Corsair)

Thrifted Treasures Club president Justin Goldstein on the left, and vice president Grayson David holding the club's sign during Club Awareness on the Main Quad at Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. The club encourages students to shop secondhand to save money and reduce waste. (Jiayi Jiang | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College (SMC) Women in Business Club President Vee Lee arranges a display of free samples at their booth during Club Awareness Day on the SMC Main Campus Quad on Tuesday, Sept. 29th, 2026, in Santa Monica, Calif. The purpose of their club is to create a supportive and inclusive space for women at SMC who are interested in all facets of business. (Guillermo De La Barreda | The Corsair)

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — The Santa Monica College Corsairs Black Collegians Club. Club Awareness event on main campus, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Jason Purisima | The Corsair)

An architectural model sits on display at the NOMAS Architecture Club's table during Club Awareness on the Main Quad at Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026.The club holds weekly meetings at SMC's Center for Media and Design campus and is open to all students. (Jiayi Jiang | The Corsair)

Pico Animal Club members, from left, secretary Joseph Huang, Inter-Club Council representative Colin Romana, publisher Sakura Koreeda and president Yuuka Yamagishi pose at the club's table during Club Awareness on the Main Quad at Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. The club volunteers at local animal shelters and plans fundraisers and social events to support them. Handed out flyers to recruit students to volunteer at local animal shelters. (Jiayi Jiang | The Corsair)

A poster for the Pico Animal Club is displayed at the club's table during Club Awareness on the Main Quad at Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, Calif., on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. The club volunteers at local animal shelters and plans fundraisers and social events to support them. (Jiayi Jiang | The Corsair)

Engineering Club president and mechanical engineering major Thomas Yamaba (second from left, in white shirt) stands with fellow members at their display table during a club awareness event at Santa Monica College on Friday, June 5, 2026. The student organization engages members with interactive STEM activities, activities like a paper bridges challenges. (Azael Rios Ramos | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College (SMC) Women in Business Club President Vee Lee (Right) arranges a display of free samples at their booth during Club Awareness Day on the SMC Main Campus Quad on Tuesday, Sept. 29th, 2026, in Santa Monica, Calif. The purpose of their club is to create a supportive and inclusive space for women at SMC who are interested in all facets of business. (Guillermo De La Barreda | The Corsair)

Middle Eastern and North African Club president and business major Mehei Hidouche (left) poses inside a custom photo frame booth alongside a fellow student during a club awareness event at Santa Monica college on Friday, June 5, 2026. The 20 member organization provides a welcoming space for all cultures to connect, celebrating their heritage through music, traditional food, and interactive meetings that include activities like flag drawing. (Azael Rios Ramos | The Corsair)

Santa Monica College (SMC) Chess Club Secretary (Right) Gary Quiros plays a match of speed chess with an SMC student during Club Awareness Day on the SMC Main Campus Quad on Tuesday, Sept. 29th, 2026, in Santa Monica, Calif. Quiros, a Business & Administration major at SMC, has been in the club for 1 year. (Guillermo De La Barreda | The Corsair)

On Tuesday, Sept. 29, students filled the main campus quad, learning about different campus organizations, signing up for student-run clubs offered during Santa Monica College’s annual Club Awareness. Clubs hosted activities and handed out items such as candy, bags and makeup. Some clubs also offered interactive photo opportunities and even on-site cosmetology services.

The Thrifted Treasures Club, led by president Justin Goldstein and vice president Grayson Davey, focuses on fashion, environmentalism and sustainability and is for those interested in thrifting with groups and bonding over fashion. The club meets Tuesdays in MSB Room 310 from 3:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Activities include creating mood boards, making Halloween costumes using items from local shops and markets, and learning about negotiating prices through a “low-balling 101” course. 

Founded at SMC in 2022, Thrifted Treasures has grown its membership and activities. Goldstein said that joining the club is a way to indulge in a love of fashion and creativity while addressing “one of the biggest crises that we are living through. … Climate change and rising prices of basic necessities.” 

One of the many other clubs offered by students here at SMC is the Japanese Language and Culture Club Association, or JLCA. According to club president Tama Ko Sekine, JLCA has been at SMC for around 80 years. JLCA offers activities and events for students interested in learning about Japanese culture and the language.

A newer addition to the clubs at SMC is the Pico Animal Club also known as PAC, run by President Yuuka Yamagisha. The club organizes fundraisers to provide supplies, including food, treats and toys, to the same animal shelters members volunteer at. 

Yamagisha wants curious students and members to know that although the club is new, its advisers have completed the training required for members. Members will receive guidance during club meetings as they complete their own training. According to Yamagisha, the club's volunteer work is flexible, allowing members who miss a scheduled volunteer opportunity to visit shelters on another day. PAC meets Tuesdays at HSS Room 150 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

Black Collegians, led by president Zyla McDowell, offers academic support, workshops, discussions, and a relaxed environment to students looking for a club targeting allyship, socializing and community. The club offers tutoring help with statistics homework, and hosts student-led discussions on topics submitted by members.

At a recent meeting, members submitted topics for group discussions. McDowell said she wants all students to feel welcome. The Black Collegians club is run “by students for students,” McDowell said, emphasizing the club’s focus on student needs.

Black Collegians meets Tuesdays in HSS Room 103 from 11:15 a.m to 12:35 p.m. 

SMC students will have another opportunity to explore campus organizations at Club Row on Thursday, Oct. 29, beginning at 11 a.m. The Halloween-themed event will also include a costume contest held by the Associated Students.