Our purpose is to foster an inclusive community where students feel welcome, find support, and build connections. Through collaborative efforts, our students are committed to fostering engagement, learning about leadership, and promoting guidance on the University of Alabama campus. Our engagement pods strive to establish meaningful connections, offer valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth, and enhance the vibrancy of the campus environment.
Our goal is to empower students to become proactive leaders and engaged members of the UA community. We strive to organize purposeful meetings that encourage open communication, idea exchange, and collaborative initiatives. By focusing on the following pillars, our engagement pods endeavor to make a lasting impact on the student body.
By aligning our efforts with these core principles, our engagement pods aspire to enhance the overall student experience at the University of Alabama and leave a legacy of empowered leaders and engaged individuals. Together, we aim to create a community where every student feels valued, supported, and inspired to make a difference.
These engagement pods can be anything from a book club or running pod to a crafting pod.
We are looking for students to serve as leaders of the Engagement Pods to lead small groups for Fall 2024. University Programs will provide all materials and supplies to the group as well as assist with space reservations.
Leadership ApplicationInterested in joining an Engagement Pod? Check out the Engagement Pods below and fill out the form.
Join an Engagement PodLeader: Ashley Rogers
Meeting: Afternoon, days TBA
Physical and mental well-being through fitness activities, mindfulness sessions, and wellness workshops.
Leader: Heaven Thomas
Meeting: Mondays at 5:45 p.m.
Explore creative arts, attend performances, and organize artistic projects to foster cultural appreciation.
Leader: Bella Richardson and Kara Drummond
Meeting: Fridays at 1 p.m.
Getting people out of their comfort zones by trying new foods or drinks each week. Each session will feature tasting different flavors from a single brand, such as trying various Alani or Lays chips flavor.
Leader: Jackson Pearson
Meeting: Tuesdays 6 – 7 p.m.
Each week, participants will analyze a different true crime case or documentary, ranging from historical unsolved mysteries like Jack the Ripper and JonBenét Ramsey to recent cases like Gabby Petito. The sessions will include deeper discussions on criminal psychology, investigative techniques, and the societal impact of these cases
Leader: Lyndsay McLaughlin
Meeting: Mondays at 6 p.m.
Location: Preferably outside (Riverwalk); will move indoors as weather gets colder.
Focus on physical and mental well-being through a variety of activities, including Pilates, journaling, mindfulness sessions, outdoor walks, and healthy cooking workshops. Each week will feature a different activity aimed at promoting holistic wellness.
Leader: Shaylee Smith
Meeting: Mondays at 4:30 or 5 p.m.
Freshman advice, making friends, networking, and influencing, paired with mental wellness activities such as yoga, art/drawing, and mental workshops. Each session will include conversation, wellness checks, and mindfulness activities aimed at fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for new students.
Leader: Mollie Malone
Meeting: Wednesdays at 6 p.m.
Location: Recreation Center Courts
Planning outdoor activities, exploring new places, and promoting teamwork through adventurous challenges. The POD will feature one hour of pickleball playing each week, typically in doubles format, depending on the number of participants.
Leader: Aruzhan Shynarbek
Meeting: Thursdays 5 – 7 p.m.
Location: Local park and rec-center
Weekly outdoor activities like hiking, rock climbing, and nature walks, combining fitness with exploration. There will be a special focus on wellness, incorporating activities like yoga.
Leader: Daniel Oyeniran
Meeting: TBA
Supporting international students to help them stabilize and integrate within the university community. This will focus on helping international students cope with their new environment through various strategies.
Leader: Eddie Coats
Meeting: Wednesdays 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Exploring creative arts, attending performances, and organizing artistic projects to foster cultural appreciation. The focus will be on building a personal brand by finding popular content and aesthetics, and implementing them in our unique way. Each week will focus on how individuals can increase engagement across platforms.
Leaders: Owen Marrd and Henry Danaher
Meeting: Tuesdays at 4 p.m.
Outdoor enthusiasts will be hiking around the scenic trails of Tuscaloosa, exploring the area’s natural beauty and rolling landscapes.
Leaders: Bryce Bartle and John Brucker
Meeting: Thursdays at 6 p.m.
Location: Bruno Library
A dedicated group focused on analyzing football tactics, player performances, and match statistics to provide in-depth insights and strategic recommendations.
Leader: William Poarch
Meeting: Fridays at 5 p.m.
Nick Saban’s leadership philosophy and way of life in a series of 15–30-minute discussions followed by activities like an NCAA 24 tournament, leadership exercises, and related discussions.
