Are you looking to make connections with new people at UA? Join Ignite UA to meet other students through weekly small group meetings focused on a common interest!
Ignite UA is a community-building program specifically designed for first-year students as they continue to transition to life at The University of Alabama. Ignite UA empowers you to maximize your UA experience through igniting your passions while building community on campus. No previous experience or involvement is required! We’d love to have you join us as we work collaboratively to ignite the crimson flame that will blaze a path for you and the success you will experience at The Capstone.
For Spring 2024, Ignite UA Small Groups are available for a variety of topics and interests. Small group spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Sign Ups closed on Sunday, February 11, 2024. Please check back in September for Fall 2024 Small Groups.
Ignite UA meets as small groups at a variety of weekdays and times. You will select your group based on your interests and availability. Ignite UA occurs each semester. Spring Ignite UA groups meet February 5, 2024 – April 5, 2024.
University Page Turners – Book Club
Day/Time: Mondays from 1 – 2 PM
Leaders: Ja’Kara Taylor and Mia Daniels
Description: Join our vibrant collegiate book club where intellect meets imagination! Immerse yourself in the captivating tales that bridge reality and imagination as we share laughter, insights, and the thrill of unraveling the extraordinary within the ordinary. Submerge yourself in thought-provoking discussions, diverse literary journeys, and a dynamic community of fellow students who share a passion for the written word. Expand your mind, explore new worlds, and forge lasting connections in our collegiate book club—where every page turns into a new adventure!
Self-Care
Day/Time: Mondays from 4 – 5 PM
Leader: Janiya Patrick
Description: Have you been having stressful days or having struggles with managing classes? It’s not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself, and to make your happiness a priority. It’s necessary. There is enough time for self-care. Come join Ignite UA for weekly sessions about doing self-care in your daily routine.
Boards and Bites
Day/Time: Mondays from 5 – 6 PM
Leader: Haley Walker
Description: Join Boards and Bites for the ultimate Ignite UA group experience! Unleash your strategic genius in a fun-filled setting that combines board games and delightful snacks. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a beginner, this is the perfect opportunity to unwind, make new friends, and engage in friendly competition. Discover a world where every move counts and every bite brings joy. From classic board games to modern favorites, Boards and Bites is where strategy meets enjoyment. Grab a seat at the table, roll the dice, and savor the flavor of snacks! Join us and let the games begin!
Star Wars
Day/Time: Tuesdays from 9:30 – 10:30 AM
Leaders: Sterling Scott and Caleb Nielsen
Description: Join our group to share, explore, and learn more about the Star Wars universe. We will be talking about the Star Wars movies, television shows, your favorite characters, and more! Students with any interest or knowledge in the Star Wars universe are welcome to join in on the fun.
Black Student Affinity Space
Day/Time: Tuesdays from 4 – 5 PM
Leader: Adria Hosey
Description: As a black student attending a PWI, you may struggle to find where you fit in. If you are looking to build community and connect with others, the Black Student Affinity Space is just the place for you! Join us every Tuesday from 4-5 PM where we will play games, have meaningful discussions, and bond with other black students over shared experiences. Everyone is welcome!
Crafting with Kiyah
Day/Time: Tuesdays from 4 – 5 PM
Leader: Kiyah Smith
Description: Join Kiyah for a different craft each week. Let your creative side have some time to showcase its talents alongside others who enjoy a craft. We will talk about how crafting is therapeutic to break up the business of life at college and enjoy seeing the craft come to light in each person’s individual perspective.
Fun and Games
Day/Time: Tuesdays from 4:30 – 5:30 PM
Leader: Josiah Feldhausen
Description: Come join for some fun and make new friends! Each week we will play some party classics as well as some board games like Charades, SuperFight, SkipBo, Exploding Kittens, Battleship, Cribbage, card games, and more! Join us for snacks and an hour of fun and games!
Taylor Swift
Day/Time: Tuesdays from 5 – 6 PM
Leaders: Grace Tebbe and Lilly Allen
Description: Do you love Taylor Swift?? You are not alone. Sign up for the Taylor Swift group to make friendship bracelets, enjoy snacks, and listen to Taylor Swift music as new friends are made and Leaders give first-year advice!
Study and Chill
Day/Time: Wednesdays from 2 – 3 PM
Leader: Makayla Brewer
Description: Join the Study and Chill group to focus on developing important study skills, fostering community with other first-year students, and finding creative yet relaxing ways to destress between classes during the spring semester. We’ll work together to prevent burnout and anxiety.
Get Involved on Campus
Day/Time: Wednesdays from 4 – 5 PM
Leader: Jada Seymore
Description: Join the involvement group for the next 8 weeks learning how to get involved on campus while still balancing other parts of life. We will take involvement quizzes, explore the SOURCE together, and talk about our overlapping interests of involvement. This will be a time for you to shine and let your voice be heard as you navigate a new journey through spring to get further connected at UA. You will also have the opportunity to meet new people to create new connections to support you throughout your first spring semester at UA.
Adulting 101
Day/Time: Wednesdays from 6 – 7 PM
Leader: Talecia Clark
Description: College can be time consuming and a big transition. From being in high school and living with your parents to living on your own with having to buy your groceries and having to take care of yourself when you are sick; it can be a lot. Join Adulting 101 and learn some tips and tricks from your Ignite UA Leader who has been in your first-year shoes before and is dedicated to making your college transition as smooth as possible with all college’s newfound adult responsibilities.
Exploring Education
Day/Time: Wednesdays from 6 – 7 PM
Leaders: Marissa Richards and Natalie Richards
Description: Calling all first-year education majors! Ignite UA has a small group dedicated to you! Our weekly small group on Wednesdays from 6-7 PM will give you an opportunity to learn more about your future career while meeting other people in your major. Our small group will be filled with teacher crafts, career tips, preparation for internships, and a time to relax while chatting with new people in education! Come hangout every week. All are welcome!
Professional Development
Day/Time: Thursdays from 11 AM – 12 PM
Leader: Alaijah Williams
Description: Sign up for Professional Development to help you along the way as coming into college can be a little nerve racking or confusing sometimes. Thinking about what you want from this experience to build your future upon success while balancing life and having fun to make memories is a lot. Sign up for Professional Development to be in a group that comes together and breaks down those barriers and learn together on who and what we want to be, how to become it, and gain connections to lean on in your journey.
Book Club
Day/Time: Thursdays from 1:30 – 2:30 PM
Leader: Maddie Waldrop
Description: Do you have a passion for reading and want to build community with other readers on campus? If so, join Book Club to dive into different genres and discuss your favorite reads over snacks or coffee. We will either collectively decide on a book to read together at the beginning of the semester or read something from the same genre and then talk about it! Open to all, it will be held on Thursdays from 1:30-2:30 PM.
Ignite UA Leaders serve individually or in pairs as small group leaders to freshman participants. Ignite UA Leaders will create a weekly meeting schedule for members of the small group to connect through a common interest. Ignite UA Leaders serve as peer leaders and are looked to as the key individuals creating a positive role model relationship with the Ignite UA participants.
Mandatory Leader Dates:
Requirements/Expectations of all Ignite UA Leaders: