CAMPUS: SOLE inspires growth through educational clubs

By Emily Gonzalez
Bridge contributing writer
Published Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025

Through the Office of Student Orientation, Leadership and Engagement, TAMIU supports students’ social interaction and academic education, forming events to achieve that objective.

Texas A&M International University SOLE Director Nicholas Hudson considers multiple ways to expand and tailor events for student interests.

“We want to cater to their needs versus like, we’re just going to create an event,” Hudson said.

He develops events according to trends or ideas from students and other SOLE staff in order to create the agreed-upon vision.

Hudson said he actively pays attention to student feedback to improve and develop the events, motivating students to join in and create an inviting environment. Event participation can create long-term connections, whether through alumni or by developing different networks, which leads to navigating complicated situations people may be unaware of, and inevitably developing lifelong friendships.

Besides creating long-term connections, clubs and events showcase how an organization prepares students for the real world.

“Student organizations are kind of like a position at a job where you have tasks and things that need to get done, navigating through tasks to create the vision,” Hudson said.

He added that student organizations allow participants to experiment, take risks in college, so when they get into the workforce, they know what works and what doesn’t work.

“[This is an] example of experiential learning in a college setting, in a relatively safe environment,” Hudson said. “You’re even allowed to fail to a greater extent than you would be if you were in the real world.”

He said it’s alright if there are mistakes; it’s part of learning through student organizations to acknowledge the mistakes, which makes it better. Successfully executing the vision is important for a student’s growth.

Because events contribute to a sense of student belonging, Hudson said he tries to create that type of space. Hudson believes events and clubs create spaces of belonging where students feel validated. This can create an affinity for the institution.

“Be willing to try new things and engage with new individuals,” Hudson advises new students. “Step outside of that comfort zone and maybe go talk to one new individual.

“The only way you’re going to be exposed to new ideas, to new viewpoints, to even be able to articulate why you believe in what you believe in, you need to be exposed to different ideas, values, thoughts, perspectives and arguments.”

Campus Activities Board member Leslie Lopez said one of the purposes of creating events and clubs is to create a memorable experience, allowing students to spend time with their close friends and allowing them to expand their social skills with students with different backgrounds.

“Due to the difference of cultures, we try to create an event where—although it may be unfamiliar to some people—it will still create a universal experience, a shared enjoyment instead of creating discomfort; that’s the last thing we want to do,” Lopez said regarding event and club engagement.

“For example, the loteria event. All the students, including those who weren’t sure what it was, still went to play and spent time with other people from the same table; it was a memorable event where everyone cheered for one another.”

Additionally, Lopez said there’s a second purpose. It helps students clear their minds through different activities and creates a fun environment during exams or other stressful situations.

Event participant and student Gloria Mendez said these events are a form of distraction through hard times.

“Although I know I should be studying, there are times when I cannot sit down and continue studying, especially if I have been going at it for hours straight,” Mendez said. “I try to hang out with friends or see if anything is going on [at] TAMIU.”

Mendez initially felt anxiety about ditching when she had the opportunity to study but soon found comfort by attending the event.

“To be honest, I forgot about studying once I was there in the events with my friends,” she said. “Soon after, I thought to myself that I was glad I had the opportunity to destress.”

By promoting these events, TAMIU helps alleviate anxiety as SOLE encourages a community among students, working to overcome challenges and build connections.