Student Activities
Getting Involved
Student Activities is committed to the development of our student's collegiate experience by supporting their educational, personal, and career goals. Student Activities fosters an environment that provides growth through the implementation of educational events, industry speakers, civic awareness, and extra-curricular activities.
Benefits to Involvement in Student Activities
- To promote and develop leadership skills
- To participate in community awareness activities
- To enhance opportunities and awareness in all industry professions
- To develop relationships with peers
- To develop an interest in current issues
- To network with industry professionals
- To enhance awareness of various customs and cultures
Student Organizations
Alumni Association
The Alumni Association provides graduates with access to a valuable personal network that includes nearly 40,000 members worldwide. The opportunities are endless: entrée into exclusive industry organizations and guidance and support from some of the most talented and connected people in key industries. The Alumni Association conducts seminars, plans networking events, and facilitates the exchange of ideas on a global scale via the Association website.
California Alumni Chapters are located in Los Angeles, Orange County, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Luis Obispo. Across the United States, the Association maintains chapters in the West (Las Vegas, Phoenix, Portland, and Seattle), the Midwest (Boise, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, and Houston), the South (Atlanta, Miami, and Minneapolis), and the East (New York, and the Pittsburgh Tri-State Area). International Chapters are located in Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Mexico, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United Kingdom. Contact the Alumni Relations office at the Los Angeles campus for more information about the Association.
American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) Student Chapter
ASID is a professional organization which establishes standards and guidelines for the interior design industry. Students at schools where an ASID student chapter exists may participate in civic, educational and professional activities that are appropriate to the region. In addition, ASID, International Interior Design Association (IIDA), other professional groups, design firms, and manufacturers sponsor programs for student participation.
The Cosmopolitan Student Alliance (CSA)
The CSA is a student organization that encourages participation by both international and domestic students. Students engage in a variety of cross-cultural activities, and provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment.
The Fashion Group International of Los Angeles, Inc., (FGILA) Student Membership
The Fashion Group International of Los Angeles, Inc. is a nonprofit organization for professionals in the fashion and related industries. The organization provides students with a mentor program and the opportunity to network with top-level members. Students seeking membership must meet eligibility requirements and submit an application to the Student Activities Office during the Fall quarter. Membership is offered once a year. See the Newsletter for specific information.
Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society
The mission of the honor society is to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service, and fellowship programming. Currently enrolled students who have completed 12 units with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 are eligible to apply for membership. Interested students should come to a scheduled meeting. All meetings are advertised in the campus Newsletter. Formal induction is offered bi-quarterly at all campuses.
Set Decoraters Society of America (SDSA)
The Set Decorators Society of America is the only national nonprofit professional organization dedicated to the support of the past, present, and future of set decorators in motion pictures, television, commercials, and music videos. Students at the Los Angeles campus may join the student chapter as a non-voting member. Students will be mentored by professionals, attend discussions by set decorator/industry partners, tour film/TV sets, prop houses, and participate in networking opportunities.
Student Council
The Student Council promotes student rights and provides effective representation of student interests and concerns. The Student Council also strives to keep students informed of available resources/services and promotes the development of student leadership, service, and school spirit. All current students are eligible to join. Students simply need to come to a scheduled meeting. All meetings are advertised in the campus Newsletter.
Volunteer Community Service
Volunteer community service is any activity or job performed without pay that goes to benefit a nonprofit organization and/or community. Volunteer community service provides a critical component to the educational experience and future employability by giving students the opportunity to strengthen their resume while making an important difference in the world. FIDM highly encourage students to take full advantage of their time here and participate in volunteer community service, either through our student organizations or on their own. There are volunteer community service opportunities in just about any area. Read the Newsletter or see the campus Student Activities Coordinator for upcoming volunteer community service events and outside volunteer community service opportunities. Examples of volunteer community service are:
- Beach clean-ups
- Fundraisers
- Tutoring young children or spending time with the elderly
- Food/clothing drives
- Working at a soup kitchen
- Donating blood or organizing a blood drive
- Working at a pet shelter
Additional Student Activities
Debut Show
Students from all FIDM campuses are encouraged to attend the Debut Show, which is held in Los Angeles each winter quarter. Debut showcases graduates' work from FIDM's Advanced Study Fashion Design, Theatre Costume Design, Interior Design, and Graphic Design programs.
Developmental Workshops
Each quarter, Student Activities offers a variety of leadership, personal, professional and career development workshops that help to enhance the students experience and growth outside the classroom. Dining Etiquette, Wellness Week, Civic Awareness, Stress Management, Cultural celebrations, and Fashion District Tours, are just a few of the many workshops offered.
Industry Events & Speakers
Industry related events give students an opportunity to become familiar with a variety of positions and how their classroom knowledge relates to the real world. These events are a platform for students to network with industry professionals and to obtain first-hand knowledge of their professional experience.
The MODE
The MODE is a publication written by students interested in promoting awareness in the design industries, student life, and current events. Students from all majors are requested to submit articles of interest. The Mode is published bi-quarterly and submissions are accepted from students at all FIDM campuses. See your campus Student Activities Coordinator for more information.
Textile Design Exhibit
Fashion Knitwear Design and Textile Design students exhibit their portfolios and design collections in the third floor Museum windows of the Los Angeles campus each year. The exhibit focuses on the creative aspects of printed fabric and knitwear design.
