Current Clubs

Note that this list is updated each academic semester (fall and spring) after the conclusion of the club fair.

Clubs are organized by the following themes:

Academic

Awareness and Issue-Based

Culture and Language

International and National Organizations

Sports and Recreation

Academic

Cybersecurity Student Working Group

The Cybersecurity Student Working Group is a student-led organization that strives to build cyber capabilities among the next generation of international policy professionals by enhancing understanding of issues related to cyberspace and technology in the public and private sectors and exploring how cybersecurity intersects with security, peace, and communications.

Club President: Jakob Lengacher

Club VP: Laura Peyton

Emerging Technologies

The Emerging Technologies Club provides an opportunity to explore new and emerging technologies in the fields of rocketry, nanotechnology, biotechnology, cognitive science, robotics, and artificial intelligence. A focus will be placed on the practical application and potential ethical implications of these technologies in the aerospace and defense industries. All students are welcome to participate in club events.

Club President: Jonah Muresan

Club VP: Riley Willis

Financial Crime Management Club

The purpose of the Financial Crimes Management Club is to offer extracurricular and continuing education, to create networking opportunities, and to facilitate professional development and growth among those in and around the financial crimes sector.

Club President: Paulo Magalhaes de Paula

Club VP: Mika Dahiya

MIIS International Trade Association

The Middlebury Institute Trade Association is intended to engage graduate students on international trade affairs, networking opportunities and launching the annual Fall Bi-Coastal Trade Conference.

Club President: Angelo Gonzalez

Club VP: Ashraf Hammad

MIIS Mastermind

MIIS Mastermind is a place where MIIS students and others can share ideas and gain insight and skills in the areas of business, marketing, and consulting. Do you have an idea for a project or business that you’re passionate about, but aren’t sure how to validate it in the market? Are you a new or aspiring business owner looking for ways to build your brand, grow your client base, and increase profitability? Are you a consultant or coach looking to hone your process, clarify your value proposition, and conduct conversations that convert qualified prospects into paying clients? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then MIIS Mastermind may be for you. We help each other by workshopping key strategies and skills in the areas of business, marketing, and consulting. In our meetings we share insights and knowledge that will help us brand ourselves and our businesses so we can make the greatest impact in our area of focus. 

Club President: Carrie Robson

Club VP: Shannon Casey

Nuclear Policy

The Nuclear Policy club aims to bring together students and professionals in the fields of nonproliferation and disarmament, providing valuable networking and educational opportunities. We will be hosting guest lectures on contemporary nuclear issues, collaborating with MIIS faculty and researchers. In addition, we will be hosting Nuclear Wargaming simulations, social activities and trips in collaboration with other MIIS nuclear-related.

Club President: Rayna Celeste Rogers

Club VP: Virginia Marie Kerr

Terrorism Studies Club

The Terrorism Studies Club (TSC) seeks to enrich its members through a series of educational, professional, and social events. By providing a positive and multifaceted support environment, the Terrorism Studies Club aims to assist students in fulfilling their highest academic potential and embarking on successful careers as security and counterterrorism professionals.

Club President: Brittany Stallings

Club VP: Michael Donnelly

Awareness and Issue-Based

Fair Trade Club

The Fair Trade Club aims to highlight the value of ethical business practices, by making students aware of standards such as ‘Fair Trade’. Fair Trade certification helps to make consumers responsible choices about food consumption and serves as a form of regulating labor practices in a globalized economy.

Club President: Jeremy Ginsberg

Club Vice President: Michael Acid

Faith & Fellowship at MIIS

The mission of Faith and Fellowship at MIIS (FFAM) is to create a safe space to share and practice our faith in relationship with Jesus and each other. Our club has a weekly one hour rotating bible study component that is led by one or two members voluntarily. The philosophy behind the rotating bible study series is for us to broaden our understanding of our faith and learn from others’ backgrounds and experiences. Among our group’s core shared values are love, community, service, purpose and inclusion.

Club President: Natalie Fallert

Club Vice President: Lincoln Ngaboyisonga

MIIS Immigrant Rights Alliance (MIRA)

MIRA members volunteer with local organizations, engage in discussions amongst club members, and hold local events in order to foster dialogue, raise awareness, and advocate for immigrant rights. Members are also passionate about engaging the local community and inspiring dynamic learning about immigration between local residents of Monterey County and students at MIIS.

Club President: Ashraf Hammad

Club Vice President: Seth Small

Queers and Allies at MIIS

Queers and Allies at MIIS, is a group open to all students who share a common interest in cultivating, nurturing, and enriching the Queer experience at MIIS. Queers and Allies at MIIS exists to promote the inclusion of all aspects of the Queer identity, through awareness and education in the MIIS and greater Monterey community. Also, through its semester events, QAAAM aims to create a safe space for all attendees.

Club President: Sarah Fulton

Club Vice President: Lawrence Garber

MIIS Radio Podcast

MIIS Radio Podcast Club is a space for students to come together to share their passion for the multifaceted world of podcasting. Members come together twice a month to share ideas for episode content, brainstorm with fellow members, and create organic teams to take on the production of our episodes. People can contribute on any level they wish, and in any capacity. Our goal is to leave room for students to curate their passion for podcasting in organic and unique ways. 

Club President: Angelo Gonzalez

Club VP: Madeleine Smith

Sustainable Agriculture Club

The Sustainable Agriculture and Gardening Club aims to explore the variety of approaches to sustainable agriculture seen in California and around the world.

Club President: Jeremy Ginsberg

Club Vice President:  Zoe Gapayao

Veg Club

The purpose of our club is to bring awareness and provide as many resources as possible about how a plant based diet can benefit our health, the environment and animal rights. The club will provide continuous, non-judgmental support to anyone wishing to make the transition to a vegan lifestyle.

Club President: Hinda Majri

Club VP: Ali Seidel

Veterans Organization

The MIIS Veterans Organization is represented by student service members from the U.S. Military Services and others that are interested in supporting student veterans in their time at MIIS getting their degrees and assimilating themselves back into life after their time in service of their country.

Club President: Melissa Palmer

Club Vice President: Jasmine Sturdifen

Wetlands Club

The Wetlands Club is the local chapter of the Society of Wetland Scientists. The purpose of the club is to educate students about local wetland ecosystems, support community efforts to restore, preserve, and/or study local wetlands, and for wetland related recreation. All students are welcome to participate in club events.

Club President: Sydney Samples

Club Vice President: Ellie Oliver

Culture and Language

African Nations Club

The African Nations Club is an organization that seeks to promote academic and professional excellence among students of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, through meaningful collaboration and networking. The club is intended to serve as a hub of interaction for MIIS students of African and non-African descent.

Club President: Albert Christopher Akpan

Club Vice President: Tiffany Harvey

B.U.I.L.D.: Beyond yoUrself in Language Development

Beyond yoUrself In Language Development (BUILD) is a student-run organization that provides language classes to the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey (MIIS) and the Monterey community. All of our classes are completely free, informal, and fun! They are taught by students of all programs at MIIS and members of the Monterey community with the support of students from the Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Teaching Foreign Languages (TFL) and International Education Management (IEM) programs.

Club President: Sara Caplan

Club Vice President: Ghio Anton

International Cultural Gathering

The MIIS International Cultural Gatherings Club exists to bring together the MIIS community - faculty, students, and staff - with the Monterey community to engage in art, food, music and expressions of culture from around the world.

Club President: Megan Magleby

Club VP: Rachel Lott

International Students @ MIIS

International students @ MIIS club is a hub for all students on campus to engage in different cultures, share our home country’s foods, arts and music. We do this through events, potlucks and happy hours. The club is also a space for international students to feel comfortable sharing their daily life experiences as students at Middlebury and asking questions they might have about being an international student. While the club doesn’t provide legal advice or replace the role of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) in providing advising and guidance, we plan to host speakers and/or events to help support international students’ experiences in the U.S.. 

Club President: Maria Lopez Godoy

Club VP: Richard Castillo Rodriguez

International Tea Club

To provide a forum to discuss different types if tea from around the world, explore cultural practices around tea ceremonies and enjoy camaraderie over shared interests in teas and infusions.

Club President: Benjamin Henry

Club Vice President: Anna Phillips

Tomodachis of Monterey Organization (formerly Japan Forum)

We are a club that focuses on spreading and sharing Japanese culture with the MIIS community. You don’t have to speak Japanese to participate and if you do speak Japanese, we have some events that will let you use your Japanese outside of the classroom! Among the events we have plan are a Trivia Night, Karaoke Night, and Fall Festival!

Club President: Lena Wakayama

Club Vice President: Geirrlon Dun

International and National Organizations

American Red Cross Club

The Red Cross Club is the MIIS chapter of the Red Cross, which is a humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and disaster preparedness education. We aim to get the MIIS community involved in supporting the activities of the Red Cross by organizing events on campus, volunteering with the local Red Cross chapter, and raising awareness of related causes.

Club President: Isabella Lloyd-Damnjanovic

Club Vice President: Yikai Wang

CTBTO Youth Group

The MIIS chapter of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) Youth Group supports the work of the CTBTO in raising awareness and promoting grassroots activism to ensure that the CTBT enters into force, banning all nuclear weapons testing. We host speakers, organize trips to nuclear sites, and hold regular social events, which are open to everyone in the MIIS community. Follow us on Facebook and subscribe to our mailing list to keep up to date with all the latest activities and news.

Club President: Jasmine Owens

Club Vice President: Eleanor Krabill

Peace Corps Club

The Peace Corps Club at MIIS is dedicated to connecting RPCVs with other RPCVs on campus and in the greater Bay Area community as well as promoting Peace Crops through Third Goal activities to spread awareness about Peace Corps and other countries where volunteers live and serve. We also aim to offer Coverdel Fellows with opportunities to fulfill their fellowship hours requirements.

Club President: Ellie Oliver

Club Vice President: Lawrence Garber

Toastmasters

The mission of a Toastmasters club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every individual member has the opportunity to develop oral communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth. Through this mission, each Toastmaster gains a clear understanding of the club’s purpose, and the organization as a whole benefits from a shared set of values and goals.

Club President: Thomas Apostle

Club Vice President: Ben Mattern

Women In International Security

The purpose of the Women in International Security club is to advance the leadership and professional development of women in the field of international security. WIIS globally sponsors leadership, training and capacity building programs as well as substantive events focused on current policy problems, and our MIIS chapter aims to uphold the same goals and values. Students can attend social events such as our wine mixers or an array of guest lectures/speaker series featuring women in the field of international security and a movie screening. We also intend on collaborating with other clubs on campus to co-host events. 

Club President: Kelsey Keehfus

Club VP: Anna Phillips

Sports and Recreation

Cool Kitsch Theater Club

Cool Kitsch aims to bring fun to MIIS students through the form of acting. We will host acting related workshops to help members release their stress and build confidence on stage, which will benefit them when they face a larger audience in the future. There will be regular meetings and activities, and members can have a chance to perform if interested. Also, theater events or shows will be updated and shared should there be any.

Club President: Ren Yi

Club VP: Yijun Wu

Dinner with Friends

Dinner with Friends is a unique opportunity for our MIIS Student community to network in a professional yet collegial setting whilst participating in team building exercises, meals and benefiting from the expertise and experience of others. The goal is for students to leave MIIS not only prepared for the tangible challenges of their future employment but for the social and emotional rigors of the modern day world of work too.

Club President:  Jasmine Sturdifen

Club Vice President: Nomsa Ndongwe

Kickboxing, Self-Defense & Wellness

Need an outlet for that grad school stress? Punch and kick it out of your system. Join our club to learn the basics of kickboxing, judo and self-defense! Having these skills builds confidence in any situation, and learning is great mental and physical exercise. No experience necessary. Our practice will start from a foundation of respect and having fun, so don’t be scared! Combat sports are great for making friends, thanks to trust and mutual respect in the practice. 

Club President: Corbin Panturad

Club Vice President: Trang Trinh

Latin Dance Club

The Latin Dance Club provides a safe and relaxing space to unwind and learn about culture and dancing at the same time! We wish to provide education, elegance, experience, and exercise all in one bowl!

Club President: Jeremy Frye

Club Vice President: Louisa Otey

MIIS Climbing Club

The Climbing Club is an all inclusive opportunity to meet other MIIS climbers and even non-climbers. Climbing is really whatever you want it to be, some people are in it for the challenge and others for the fun. Climbing club is the same way. 

Club President: Rafal Wilson

Club Vice President: Josh Bryan

MIISFits Softball Team

The MIIS softball team is an official team of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies that will be playing in the Monterey Recreation League. Our team consists of current students as well as MIIS alumni who have graduated within the year. All experience levels with the sport and all levels of physical fitness are welcome and encouraged to come and tryout for the team. Students can get involved by coming to tryouts, playing in games, or watching in the stands.

Club President: Ian Petersen

Club VP: Joey Hayashi

Music Society

The Music Society is a coalition of music enthusiasts, practitioners, and performers alike! We host social events and concert trips, coordinate performances, and provide opportunities for musicians to connect and play together casually as well.

Club President: Aislyn Nishii

Club Vice President: Susan Stalter

Outdoor Recreation Club (ODRC)

The ODRC provides a community for students that wish to take advantage of the area’s natural beauty via organized hikes and other excursions. The ODRC also rents camping equipment such as tents, sleeping pads, etc. Students joining the ODRC will be invited to the club’s Facebook page, which serves as a forum for students looking for ideas and locations regarding outdoor activities.

Club President: Alexis Wilkman

Club Vice President: Elizabeth Francis

Tabletop Gaming Club

The MIIS Tabletop Games Club aims to offer the MIIS student population two main ways to escape from the stresses of Graduate-level learning. With the Board Game subgroup of the club, students are welcome to drop by at their leisure during the weekly meeting time to participate in group games, be they board games, card games, or any other type of group-participation game. The Tabletop RPG subgroup hopes to offer players of all tabletop backgrounds and skill-levels a chance to team up with fellow students to take a breather from student life and explore fantasies of all kinds.

Club President: Rebecca Guttentag

Club Vice President: Daniel Birriel