Alpha Phi Reflection

Membership in Alpha Lambda Delta was the catalyst for a new chapter of my life. It completely changed the shape of my undergraduate career and I could not be more grateful. Upon entering ALD in my second semester as a Freshman I was given my first chance at a leadership role. This would be first time that I was offered a role in which I would have the chance to lead others, to serve on an executive board, and to coordinate chapter events. When ALD offered it to me, I grabbed the chance. I had always been involved while in high school and for the past semester I had entered student organizations where my voice was not heard. ALD gave me my voice back. My position as chapter Historian taught me the necessary skills for me to achieve in the following

I learned so much about the things I was capable and not capable to do and about the foundation of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc. The lovely ladies of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc. always made me feel very comfortable to the point that I was able to be myself around them. However, when I tried that with the other sorority members it did not felt the same way. The other sorority made me feel left out and uncomfortable when being around them and that’s something that Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Inc. did not. Being able to talk one on one, ask for help and talk to the ladies like a regular friend was one of the reason why I chose Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority

When one first thinks of Greek life or a sorority the only thing that comes to mind is the social aspect. Most people don’t think of sororities as social institutions that envelop their own culture, with mannerisms, languages and customs that are unique to each individual organization. However, these institutions promote a common set of values that enable members to become connected in a way that has a more profound meaning than just social interaction. Greek organizations are good examples of how institutions can affect and be affected by social status and roles within the collegiate community. They are also a prime example of how race, class and gender can affect a social setting in both positive and negative manners.

Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Incorporated purpose is to be of service to all mankind dealing with critical issues in communities domestically and internationally. What I have grown to understand an envision a woman of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated to be, I accredit largely to the ladies of the Gamma Theta chapter. This has the result of attending many of the chapter’s events during my time at Hampton thus far. One of my favorite events was a screening of a documentary Girls Rising. I learned to appreciate every opportunity to learn and gain knowledge because in some parts of the world girls are restricted from receiving an education. A

I have participated in many clubs where group work and leadership is a necessity: Model United Nations, First Class Leaders, Mu Alpha Theta, and National Honor Society. In these clubs, as well as in everyday life, I have been afforded the opportunity to share my values, listen to other’s opinions, and come together to find how we can share our values and ideas. However, my outreach and voice has been far more impactful in Mu Alpha Theta, a Math National Honor Society, and First Class Leaders where I gratefully serve on the Executive boards. I have organized many opportunities that have inspired members to commit philanthropic acts for tremendous charities, and in accordance there are numerous people that have received items that bring security

The institution I have attended for the last two years is a very focused yet disconnected box. This is understandable as lot of the students are older, more experienced, and already involved their field of choice moving towards a known objective with little time to focus elsewhere. However, as a younger student, this institution is a dead end. I have almost completed my associates degree and can not continue my education at Wayne County; at least not in an academic path that is desirable to me. I have participated in both social and academic programs such as the college's bowling team and SSS (Student Support Services). As well as becoming a member of my community college's chapter of Phi Theta Kapp.

My passion for my sorority grew exponentially during the fall of my sophomore year. Recruitment season had started and I was meeting loads of sweet, freshman girls. I loved getting to know the new faces, showing them the ropes and making them feel at home. In high school, I had never been close friends with underclassmen, so the experience of being an older “guide” was new for me. I loved it and I loved my freshmen friends.

Day in and day out we hear about high school and college students wanting to pursue a sorority and/or a fraternity based on the stereotypes these organizations uphold, well I chose to differ. I told myself if I ever decided to become a member of a sorority it would be based solely on their ethical standards, history, and values they are founded upon. Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated consists of ladies of distinction and exemplary character who excel in scholarship, leadership, and service, which are qualities I have chosen to uphold. From my perspective, I encourage myself to maintain a respectable appearance and reputation which doing so inspires me to embrace my self-concept; which helps me confidently excel academically and

Often, I found myself yelling at the TV screen in disbelief and anger. The story that spoke to me the loudest, although not as similar to my own story, was that of Erica Kinsman. She was sexual assaulted by the quarter back of FSU, Jameis Winston. Because of the sports frenzy in the south, people around the Florida State University campus shamed HER for coming out about her sexual assault, because it was ruining his future. WHAT?! This hit close to home for me because she was a sister of the Florida State Delta Zeta sorority chapter, which is the same house that I am affiliated with at a different university. One of the best things about a sorority is having a connection with other women from across the nation that share the same sisterhood as you, and to know a sister that has gone through a similar circumstance as me, made me feel more connected to her situation, and therefore, made me even more angry about the whole situation. It amazed me when they showed interviews of the Florida state fans talking about Erica, because more of the people they interviewed were females, and they all condemned her for potentially ruining an athlete’s future, as opposed to worrying about the fact that the face of their school athletic department was a serial

As a freshman at OU, I also wrote a research paper just last year over this same subject, Sigma Alpha Epsilon known as SAE, at the University of Oklahoma and their racial chant that rocked the nation. I come from a small town in Texas that many of the high school graduates attend OU, and some have become the devastated members of SAE. My sister, Tara, also attends OU and is a senior, many of these “brothers” she knew dearly. When I first found out about this horrible act I was logged onto Facebook in my 9:30am class and saw many people “sharing” articles with the headlines, "Not On OUr Campus", and “Oklahoma Frat Boys Caught Singing 'There Will Never Be A N***** In SAE '.” As I began to read the heart wrenching articles, heartbroken, not focused on what was going on during class, but what was being said about the university I was about to attend in a few short months, a university that has been the topic of my conversations for so long. I began to get questions later on in the week, after the video went viral, if I was still going to attend “the racist school” and not one time that I was questioned did I regret my decision. The more the media dragged it out, the more information came to the surface. My parents were devastated and were worried for my sister, who is also a member of the Greek community. Then we began to worry as a family about all of the members we knew and began to question if they had anything to do with this downward spiral that has affected the nation.

Greek life plays a major role in colleges and universities all across the United States. Greek life allows men and women to join an organization and create a long lasting bond, as brothers or sisters, which they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. College campuses explore and boast about the positive impacts that Greek life has on students as well as the community around them. However, even with fraternities and sororities being on college campuses for decades, few people outside the Greek life community have discovered the real, enduring process that it takes to become a "brother" or "sister". Throughout my research, I will be focusing on the negative effects that fraternities and sororities pose upon pledges. This includes hazing

Another is higher standards within the school. I noticed that students at Cerritos were given a lot more works at a higher level compared to my peers at the time at other schools. Math at one or two levels higher at other schools was normal in Cerritos, and students were expected to take at least three to four minimum AP’s before graduation. That definitely triggered competition between us and stimulated growth at a different level.

As most of you may know, I am a freshman at Pierpont Community & Technical College and majoring in Baking and Pastry Arts. At the beginning of the semester I was invited to Chi Alpha, an on campus ministry, and immediately I could tell that it was where I wanted, and needed, to be. I was already familiar with what Chi Alpha was but I had no idea how much fun and life changing that it actually could be. My first semester of college would have been completely different if I had not gotten involved with my Lifegroup and growing my relationship with God and my Chi Alpha family.

It is no secret that Greek life has earned USC the reputation of being one of the nations top party schools. Time after time, it gets ranked in the top ten party schools by various websites, magazines, and journals. Gaining these notorious titles came at a great price, as these many Greek scandals have filled national headlines. USC Greek organizations have had a long history of getting in trouble. In 2011, Kappa Sigma was involved in an e-mail scandal. One of the fraternity members sent out an email explaining to his fellow brothers “how to hook up with girls.” The e-mail was filled with many racist and explicit terms and when referring to females, he labeled them as “targets.” He continued on and told the fraternity members to not think of them as “people like us” (Shaw, 2013). As a result, the row was placed on social probation and Tuesday and Thursday night gatherings were banned. Pre-rush parties were banned during Fall 2011 due to such a high number of student transports, that the situation could not be ignored. In the Spring of 2013, pre-rush parties were subjected to the same cancelation as those in 2011 for the same reasons (Shaw, 2013). There were such a high number of student transportations to the hospital that the university has been forced to intervene. According to university history, intervention becomes necessary when situations reach an extreme and not a moment sooner.

Being involved in Phi Theta Kappa and working as a supervisor has allowed me to further my leadership skills. I have developed immensely as a leader thanks to these experiences and am thankful for the opportunities to do so. During my time as yearbook and hallmark awards leader for Phi Theta Kappa, I learned how to work better within a team, and how to be conductive as a leader. There, I became more vocal and was no longer afraid of speak up on different issues or making suggestions. As the simulation lab manager where I supervise 8 employees, I have continued to develop as a leader. Here I have increased my team’s productivity and helped them achieve different goals in our workplace. I have also become somewhat of a peer mentor who helps