The Robotic Club welcomes students from all majors and experience levels, offering a collaborative space to build, design, and compete in robotics competitions. Students can dive right into hands-on engineering, innovation, and teamwork with this student-run organization.
Shane Fusco, a senior physics major and president of the Robotics Club, said that the club is dedicated to expanding STEM opportunities at Seton Hall.
“Our purpose is to build a greater STEM community at Seton Hall and provide students from all majors and walks of life with the opportunity to participate in collaborative robotic projects for fun and competitions against other universities,” Fusco said.
The club primarily competes in VEX U, a collegiate-level robotics competition where teams design and build robots to complete specific tasks. Last year, the team made it to the world championship in Texas, and they are hoping to qualify again this year.
Jocelyn Makenna Buendia, a sophomore physics and engineering major and vice president of the club, said she encourages all students to join, regardless of experience.
“Students are often hesitant to join because they think they need prior robotics knowledge, but we teach everything from the ground up,” Buendia said. “Whether it’s design, coding, mechanics or strategy, we have a place for everyone.”
Interested students can attend the club’s build meetings, which take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. in Duffy Hall, room 73. The club operates on a seasonal schedule, starting in June and running through March or May, so early involvement is encouraged.
Meetings are structured to maximize collaboration and progress, according to Alexandra Carroll, a sophomore diplomacy and international relations major and public relations chair.
“We split into sub-teams focusing on tasks like building, 3D modeling, and programming,” Carroll said. “Halfway through, we check in, document our progress, and troubleshoot any issues before continuing work.”
The club also participates in campus events and collaborations with organizations like the Society of Physics Students (SPS) and PRIDE Club. One of their standout events is the hydro-powered car race, where participants design and test water-propelled vehicles.
Beyond the technical skills, the Robotics Club fosters a strong sense of community.
“We’re more than just a club—we’re a team,” said Justine Fallurin, a sophomore secondary special education and mathematics major and event coordinator. “Whether it’s late-night build sessions, brainstorming crazy new designs, or celebrating our wins and learning from our losses, we create a space where everyone can share their passion for robotics and support each other.”
Fallurin added that students of any background are welcomed the join the club and “explore STEM.”
“Robotics is for everyone,” Fallurin said. “We want more students, regardless of background, to feel welcomed and empowered to explore STEM with us.”
This sense of camaraderie extends beyond Seton Hall’s campus. The club volunteers at high school robotics competitions, helping younger students engage with STEM in meaningful ways.
One student especially inspired by Seton Hall’s Robotics Club is Isabella Gulyas, an eighth-grade student at Timothy Christian School and a prospective Seton Hall student. She is an active member of her school’s robotics team and serves as a driver for their competitions. She said that watching Seton Hall’s team compete has only fueled her passion for robotics.
“I love watching Seton Hall's Robotics Club compete, as it inspires me to continue doing what I love at the middle and high school level,” Gulyas said.
For students looking to get involved, the Robotics Club is open to new members. To learn more, stop by a meeting, connect with the executive board via email, or follow them on Instagram, @setonhallrobotics.
Italia Wiley is a writer for The Setonian’s Campus Life section. She can be reached at italia.wiley@student.shu.edu.
