Carolina registers 1,000th student organization

With the registration of Black Girls Code, a student organization devoted to empowering young women of color in the tech world, Carolina reached a substantial milestone at the end of 2025: its 1,000th student organization.

The milestone shows the University’s continued support for the student experience dating back to 1795, when DiPhi, the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies, became Carolina’s first student organization.

“When we provide students with the opportunity to explore passions, find community and discover who they are, we empower them to put classroom learning into action,” said James Orr, senior vice provost for student success. “Student organizations foster collaboration and leadership, creating a holistic experience that prepares students to lead with confidence long after they leave Carolina.”

Darrius Barrow ’10, director of student life and leadership for UNC Student Affairs, feels an immense sense of pride in the accomplishment. As a student, he was involved with organizations like the Carolina Athletics Association and the campus ministry God First. In his current role, Barrow is fostering the next generation of students.

“A lot of what our team does is to help create a sense of belonging for students, and the student organizations are a big part of that,” Barrow said. “They provide a pathway for people to find each other through shared interests and ambitions and build community, making a big place like Carolina feel more like home.”

With so many groups to choose from, there’s something for students regardless of interest. For dancers, there’s the Carolina Dance Vibe Team. For lovers of film, there’s the Carolina Film Association. For skilled swimmers, there’s Dive-In: Chapel Hill. There’s even Chapel Hill Players for those interested in getting into improv comedy.

For these organizations and many others, Carolina has continued to provide support through access to spaces to meet and engage in activities.

“I think supporting these organizations is just part of Carolina’s history,” Barrow said. “I think that support is how we’ve gotten to 1,000 student groups. The institution has always valued the fact that students can take what they’re acquiring from the University and put their own spin on it.”

That 1,000th student organization, Black Girls Code, was co-founded by sophomore computer science major Naomi Smith.

“My friend and I code together, but there was never anybody we knew who did it other than the two of us. I wanted to build that community on campus because we would see each other around,” Smith said. “I think Carolina has a big culture of working with other organizations. Groups are eager to partner with one another, so you get help from groups with more knowledge and resources who you want to learn from.”

Carolina’s support for student organizations has allowed organizations like the competitive Club Pickleball to thrive. (Johnny Andrews/UNC-Chapel Hill)

Carolina’s student support will be on full display at the new Student Organization Leadership Experience Center, opening Jan. 28 in the Frank Porter Graham Student Union.

SOLE is the Carolina Union’s developmental program for student groups that offers events like SOLE Fest to provide information for incoming students interested in joining an organization. Now the program will have a physical space on campus.

“It’s going to be a resource hub, a meeting space, a workshop area and a place to learn all about University resources,” Barrow said. “It’s a way for us to better enhance our support for organizations and be sustainable along the way.”

Carolina students can start 2026 with certainty that there is always a place for them, no matter what their passions might be.

“There’s something for everyone on campus at Carolina,” Smith said. “And if you want to see something on campus that doesn’t already exist, then don’t be afraid to start your own student organization.”