Student Organization Spotlight: Campus Activities Board Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Members of the Campus Activities Board welcome students to their cookie decorating event. Photos by Dakota Nicholson '26.
"CAB plays such an important role on campus because it gives students the chance to step away from academics and simply enjoy themselves. It’s a space where people can relax, have fun and connect with others outside of their majors."
Bingo. Dances. Festivals. Coffeehouses. Point Park students aren't lacking for fun things to do on campus, and much of that is thanks to a particular organization: the Campus Activities Board (CAB). CAB is responsible for planning activities throughout the academic year that create a sense of community and tradition on campus.
Thea Smith '26, an animation major, is the executive director and answered some questions for us about CAB.
Tell us about your role as executive director.
I get to guide the big picture of everything we do, making sure our events are creative, inclusive and unforgettable!
I work closely with our coordinators and committees to keep ideas flowing, traditions alive and new projects thriving. From supporting our seven committees to being the go-to connector between CAB and campus, my role is all about helping our team shine and making student life at Point Park as exciting as possible.
Describe the structure of CAB and what the different committees do.
CAB’s success comes from many different areas, but our committees and coordinators are truly the driving force behind what we do! Anyone can join one of our seven committees — four focused on programming and three on marketing.
Programming Committees
- Pioneer Series runs monthly coffeehouses, Point Park After Dark (PPAD) and our fan-favorite, bingos.
- Special Events is our wild card committee; they can bring any creative idea to life! Last year, they put together a campus-wide Where’s Waldo? event that was a huge hit.
- Spirits & Traditions keeps our campus traditions alive while adding fresh twists. Signature events include the Halloween Bash and the Condom Carnival.
- Outings & Adventures takes students beyond campus to explore Pittsburgh. With so many international students at Point Park, this committee helps showcase the best our city has to offer.
Marketing Committees
- Advertising designs all the amazing CAB merch that students love.
- Graphic Design creates the eye-catching graphics you see around campus, promoting our events.
- Social Media keeps CAB on-trend, running our TikTok and Instagram to connect with students in fun and creative ways.
Why is CAB an important organization to have on campus?
I believe CAB plays such an important role on campus because it gives students the chance to step away from academics and simply enjoy themselves. It’s a space where people can relax, have fun and connect with others outside of their majors. When I was a freshman, I always looked forward to the monthly bingos because I knew it meant two hours where I could put school aside, unwind, and just have a great time.
What does a meeting look like, and what kind of activities do you plan?
When it comes to committee meetings, it is essentially one big brainstorm from start to finish! It could be anything from "What event do we want to do?" or "We have the event, but how will we execute it?" for the programming committees, and "What would the students wear?" or "What are the big trends we should jump on right now?" for the marketing committees.
We don't plan one specific kind of event; we just consistently try to cater towards the students, which is why it is so important that we are student-run! We are willing to do any kind of event, so that's why when we collaborate with other clubs, we make sure to fully hear every side of an idea to see if it's possible.
What has been a highlight of your time in CAB?
One of my favorite highlights from my time in CAB is definitely monthly bingo! I’ve been a runner since my sophomore year, so by now, a lot of students recognize me. During bingo week, people are always telling me how excited they are to chase me down, and some even try to get me to reveal my hiding spots — which, of course, I’ll never share!
How have you personally benefited from participating in CAB?
Being part of CAB has helped me grow tremendously as a leader. I’ve gained the confidence to trust my own abilities, not only as a student leader but also as a friend and colleague. Many students now come to me for guidance and advice, and knowing that I can support them is one of the most rewarding outcomes of my CAB experience.
Why should students join a CAB committee?
Students should join CAB because it’s an amazing opportunity to step out of your comfort zone, try new things, and really put yourself out there. Beyond planning fun events and building leadership skills, CAB is also a fantastic way to connect with people you may have never met otherwise.
It looks great on a résumé, but more importantly, it gives you hands-on experience in teamwork, communication and creativity that you’ll carry with you long after college. Personally, I’ve met some of my closest friends through CAB, and those relationships have been one of the best parts of my college experience. I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
How can a student get involved?
The best way to start is to just contact us! There are so many ways to reach us, such as sending a message through The Herd, emailing cab@pointpark.edu, sending us a DM on Instagram, or just talking to a "CABbie" in a purple shirt at an event. We will help you figure out the best committee that fits your interests and then help you take the next steps in joining that committee.