Vanguard offers its students opportunities to enrich the Christian faith of others through internships, outreach programs, counseling youth and missionary work through the pairing of students with community churches in need of volunteers. Many of the programs teach area youth about faith-based subjects and incorporating their Lord into their decisions on a daily basis and when in crisis. The students may help to plan and organize religious rallies, trainings and Sunday school lessons as well as programs that reach at-risk youth.
Vanguard University's Student Government Association is composed of three separate organizations, including the Activities Board, Student Council and the Executive Board. The Student Council is a group of 16 elected or appointed positions to adequately speak for the student body. The Executive Board is a group of members that acts as a liaison between school administration members and the Vanguard enrollees. Vanguard Activities Board is separated into Blue and Gold divisions and plan activities that are entertaining for the students as well as educational and spiritual.
Vanguard has developed clubs and organizations that base themselves on multicultural diversity, educational advancement and religious-based organizations. They provide the opportunity for students attending Vanguard University to get involved both within and outside the college campus. These clubs include Club Mosaic, El Puente, Invisible Children, Live 2 Free, Student Affiliates in Natural and Technological Sciences, Suma Suma, Sacred Pathways, Students in Free Enterprise, Students for Social Action, Synecdoche and Vanguard Artist Collective.
Gender-specific sports have been organized by Vanguard University to give students a chance to sharpen their athletic skills. Basketball, cross country, track and field, soccer, swimming, tennis and water polo are options for male and female team sports. Baseball is organized for male students while women at Vanguard may choose to play softball and volleyball. A minimum academic grade point average must be maintained and spiritual obligations must be met to participate in Vanguard college sports.