Press release
APUS Student-Run Organizations Flourish with Significant Growth in Engagement and Seven New Groups Being Created in 2025
Nearly One Quarter of All Active Students Participated in Clubs This Year; Roughly 72,000 Students Have Participated in Over 75 Student-Run Groups Since
About this update from American Public Education, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"Nearly One Quarter of All Active Students Participated in Clubs This Year; Roughly 72,000 Students Have Participated in Over 75 Student-Run Groups Since InceptionCHARLES TOWN, W.Va., Jan. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- American Public University System (APUS) is driving connection, leadership, and belonging, with more learners enhancing their educational experiences by participating in many student-run organizations.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \nThe University is proud to report that nearly a quarter of its active students engaged in co-curricular programs in 2025. Since inception, approximately 72,000 students have participated in over 75 student-run organizations.\"I was drawn to the University's Historical Studies Honor Society for its commitment to depth, rigor and curiosity,\" said Lew Taylor, an AMU graduate (2016) who serves as president emeritus of the Society. \"Being surrounded by others who share that commitment is both energizing and grounding. The Historical Studies Honor Society is where scholarship and purpose meet. I am proud to be part of it.\"In 2025, seven new organizations were created, and several others expanded. This includes The Society of Collegiate Leadership and Achievement, which added 850 new members, and the SALUTE Honor Society which added 400 new members.A recent analysis of APUS students who began their studies in 2024 shows that those involved in student clubs and organizations achieved measurable academic and retention benefits: on average, higher GPAs, enrollment in more courses, and retention rates nearly 30 percentage points above their peers. These findings reinforce the University's commitment to fostering engagement and leadership opportunities that extend well beyond the virtual classroom.\"Cultivating community and meaningful engagement is essential to our students' success,\" said Dr. Amanda Wilson-Echeverria, associate vice president of Student and Alumni Affairs, which supports the student organizations. \"Higher education is more than just coursework. By providing opportunities for connection and collaboration, we empower students to thrive academically and personally. Student organizations create experiences and build relationships in line with their personal, professional, and academic goals.\"In 2025, nearly one-quarter of all active students, or 23%, participated in a club. Several clubs now ...