Meet individuals behind CWRU’s student organizations—and discover how to get involved
On any given day at Case Western Reserve University, you might spot a frisbee sailing across the Veale Convocation, Recreation and Athletic Center, hear the Spartan Cheer team rallying fans at a sports game or see students gathering for a meeting, rehearsal or community service project across campus.
Behind these moments are more than 300 student organizations that give CWRU students countless ways to find their people, explore their interests and make an impact beyond the classroom.
From nationally recognized groups like CWRU Motorsports, which recently placed first at the Baja SAE event in New York, to Dhamakapella, which has recorded and produced eight studio albums, EPs and singles, there’s a place for every passion.
Ahead of the fall Student Activities Fair on Sunday, Aug. 23, read on to meet students behind several of CWRU’s organizations and discover what they’ve gained through getting involved. Then, attend the fair in person or browse the full list of student organizations on the CampusGroups website to find your fit.
Answers have been edited for clarity and length.
Yufei Chen
Rising second-year biochemistry student, CWRU College of Arts and Sciences
Yufei Chen is a member of CWRU Club Swim, which welcomes students of all levels and abilities to build their swimming skills. Through friendly competition, members have the opportunity to foster teamwork, sportsmanship and integrity. The club also hosts its annual Swim Across America fundraiser, which raises money for cancer research, prevention and treatment.
Q. What inspired you to join CWRU Club Swim?
Swimming has been a major part of my life since I was 8 years old, and I’ve swam club consistently for 10 years before coming to CWRU. Coming to college and going through such major changes in my life was definitely something that I was a little nervous about at first. However, the ability to keep swimming constant in my life through my involvement with CWRU Club Swim has made all the difference.
Q. What has kept you involved?
I’ve met some of my best friends, one of which has become my roommate this upcoming year. It's the bonds and community this club fosters that keeps me coming back.
Q. What advice would you give to students who are thinking about joining a CWRU student organization?
Go for it! Even though I’ve been swimming my whole life, I was definitely still nervous to join a swim club in college. Being scared is totally normal; however, if you find an organization that fits your passions, you are bound to meet like-minded individuals—you never know who might become one of your closest friends!
Ashley Rosinski (CWR '25, teacher education and history)
Rising second-year Master of Social Work student, Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences
As someone who was involved in theatre throughout high school and her undergraduate journey at CWRU, Ashley Rosinski knew that it was an activity she wanted to continue. Now a graduate student, she participates in Players’ Theatre Group (PTG), a fully-run student theatre group that produces several productions each semester, such as 24-hour play festivals, sketch comedy shows, full-length plays and musicals, among others.
Q. How has being involved in the Players’ Theatre Group shaped your experience at the university?
It has given me many of my best friends at CWRU and helped me get involved in other organizations such as CWRU Footlighters, CWRU's only student-run musical theater club, and STUDIO300, a student-run film production club that operates under the University Media Board.
I’ve also learned how much time, communication and money goes into making a show happen and helping the club run as a whole.
Q. Can you share a memorable experience you’ve had as a member of the Players’ Theatre Group?
In fall 2024, PTG and CWRU Footlighters did a kickball game to figure out who was the “best theatre org at CWRU” and my mama didn’t raise a quitter, so I was playing hard. I was sliding, diving and all of that. I ended up having to be benched because my leg was so bruised and swollen and hurt to walk on, but it was still super fun to run around and play with my friends and with people who enjoy theatre.
Q. What advice would you give to students who are thinking about joining a CWRU student organization?
You don’t know if you don’t like it if you haven’t tried it! With PTG, I tried directing for the first time and found that it is something I really enjoy. Without PTG, I likely would have never tried it. Also, there are a lot of small time commitment opportunities if you’re just looking to try it out and no experience is required for most positions.
Rhyder Swen
A rising fourth-year computer science student with minors in electrical, computer and systems and control engineering, mathematics, Japanese, data science and computer gaming, Case School of Engineering and College of Arts and Sciences
When Rhyder Swen isn’t studying one of his many disciplines, he can be found planning and participating in events for the Big Games Club (BGC). Throughout the academic year, this organization hosts several large-scale campus games and social events—such as Humans vs. Zombies (HvZ), a 10-day game of infection tag with video game-like missions played across campus—to help students de-stress in a non-academic setting. Big Games Club also hosts CWRUQuest, a week-long scavenger hunt, which has been named “Outstanding New Student Event or Program” at CWRU’s 2026 Student Leadership Awards ceremony.
Q. What inspired you to join the Big Games Club?
I actually heard about HvZ while touring CWRU as a prospective student, and it sounded so fun that I knew I had to play as soon as I could. Sure enough, every mission and quest that I went to was an absolute blast with so many amazing people, who I am now incredibly good friends with. After playing that first semester, I decided to join Core, the committee that plans and runs HvZ, fell in love with how fun it was to plan events with a group of awesome people, and now I'm the president! It was the people that made me stay; everyone is so awesome and all of BGC's events are such amazing opportunities to meet new, amazing people.
Q. Are there any skills or lessons you’ve gained from your involvement?
By being a part of BGC's committee's, I've gotten so much better at working with a team. Planning these events takes a lot of teamwork, so I've had to learn how to delegate, resolve conflict and generally know how to make sure everyone feels heard while still contributing my own ideas. All of those skills have proven incredibly valuable in my professional internships, as I recently received the comment that I was "a good moderator" and my boss was really impressed with how I handled a design presentation!
Q. What advice would you give to students who are thinking about joining a CWRU student organization?
My biggest piece of advice is to just go for it! You can always attend a meeting or two and not return if you don't like it. Taking that first step is always the scariest, but can lead to so many amazing things. Especially as a freshman, when you have a lot more time to try things out, you might as well use it!
Britney Nwoko
Rising third-year cognitive science and nutritional biochemistry and metabolism student with a minor in chemistry, CWRU School of Medicine and College of Arts and Sciences
Pre-med student Britney Nwoko is a member of the African Student Association (ASA), which celebrates cultures and heritages from across Africa. The organization hosts events such as its annual Cuisine Expo, featuring a flag parade representing all 54 African countries, and fundraisers supporting causes such as Hero Women Rising, a nonprofit empowering women and adolescent girls in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Q. What inspired you to join the African Student Association?
In high school, I was the co-founder of my school’s African Student Association. Since I loved my experience on the executive team back then, having an active ASA was actually a priority for me when choosing where to go to college. During my first year at CWRU, I applied to be a freshman representative. I knew early on that I wanted to be president one day to help create a welcoming space for others and make ASA feel like a home away from home.
Q. Can you share a memorable experience you’ve had as a member of ASA?
One of my most memorable events is the 2026 AfroGala. Every year, ASA hosts a gala and this year we had the event at the Cleveland Museum of Contemporary Art and did a fashion showcase. This was especially important because we got to partner with a fashion company. Many students volunteered to model and were able to showcase west African apparel. We also had student groups perform cultural dances and even the exec board performed a skit. Overall, this was an enjoyable time and I am excited for the next one.
Q. What advice would you give to students who are thinking about joining a CWRU student organization?
Join an organization you're genuinely passionate about and take your role in it seriously. It is so rewarding to see all the work that you put in come to life at a successful event. Make time for the things you love and look for ways to grow in your organization.
Smera Arkalgud
Rising second-year biomedical engineering and polymer science student on the Biomaterials track, Case School of Engineering
Originally from Orange County, California, Smera Arkalgud came to Cleveland where she joined the CWRU chapter of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). A nonprofit educational and service-oriented professional organization, SWE promotes the development of engineers at the collegiate and professional levels. Members also participate in various outreach opportunities, such as the Engineer Explore Event, which introduces school-aged girls to engineering disciplines—such as environmental, chemical and biomedical engineering—through interactive and collaborative activities.
Q. What inspired you to join?
As a freshman, SWE was a way for me to meet like-minded individuals and essentially make friends—an extremely scary part of the first few weeks. During the S’mores with SWE event, the reality of being in a new state and knowing no one all of a sudden felt trivial.
Q. What has kept you involved?
I met so many lovely women and engaged with upperclassmen who were kind enough to share their own experiences and advice. SWE’s various events, like their career panels and “Cookies and Course Registration,” showed me a beautiful community of young women on this campus, which has kept me so involved throughout my freshman year.
Q. What advice would you give to students who are thinking about joining a CWRU student organization?
Don’t be afraid to be super involved! It takes time to find the “right” organization for you, but once you find a place where you see a clear picture of yourself, stick with it, participate and become friends with those around you! Being part of a student organization is way more fun when you’re close with others, and it can make your college experience that much more memorable.
Grant Williams
Rising fourth-year chemical biology and history student on the pre-med track, College of Arts and Sciences
Encouraged to take up the sport following an injury, Grant Williams joined CWRU Crew, the university’s competitive collegiate club rowing team. Competing against regional and statewide teams, CWRU Crew has won several first-place finishes and other top-ranking individual event medals in various regattas, including Men's Novice 4+ at the fall 2025 Head of the Cuyahoga and Women's Varsity Lightweight 4+ at Head of the Ohio. The team’s Men’s 1st Varsity 4+ also earned a bronze medal at the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, the largest collegiate rowing championship in the United States, bringing home the first large boat medal in CWRU history.
Q. How has being involved in CWRU Crew shaped your experience at the university?
Many of my happiest and most difficult memories have come from CWRU Crew. I have made friendships that I know will last me a lifetime and had practices where I feel like I’m on top of the world. Even the hard moments where I feel a little beaten down do a good job of putting life into perspective. Going to organic chemistry in the morning almost feels easy when your day started off with two hours on a freezing river in March. I have had some excellent coaches and teammates that believed in me and pushed me to be the best version of myself. It is without a doubt because of the CWRU Crew community that I have stayed involved the last three years.
Q. Are there any skills or lessons you gained from your involvement?
I would say time management is one of the most important skills I have developed while on CWRU Crew. A premed schedule is demanding enough, and adding 20 or so hours of Crew a week, plus competitions, does not make it any easier. Over the last three years I have learned how to balance my education and future career without sacrificing things that bring me additional purpose. Whether or not I continue crew after college, I will use this skill to keep pursuing things that bring me joy alongside my career.
Q. What advice would you give to students who are thinking about joining a CWRU student organization?
I would say it is important to pick a student organization that you will look forward to going to, and remember fondly. This will look different for each student, but everyone will go the furthest and have the fondest memories in an activity that they truly enjoy.
