Theta Found Me a Mentor

April is NPC’s Advisor Appreciation Month. Share your advisor appreciation stories with us on social media using the hashtags #TYAdvisors and #ThetaThanks.

When I was a collegian at Butler University in the mid 2000s, I remember it being difficult to find a mentor (studies show that women have a harder time finding a mentor than their male counterparts). I looked to professors and managers at my internship positions, which were useful, but these relationships seemed one-sided at times. I ended up finding a mentor in a place I didn’t expect: Theta.

As vice president of external relations (now chief marketing officer), my advisor was Lisa Thibault. Lisa was always there to answer questions and support as I navigated my earliest years in a leadership position. She was eager to write me letters of recommendation when I needed them, even helping me land a Theta Foundation scholarship, which assisted me in paying for my education. This relationship did not seem one sided at all, because we were—and are—sisters.

According to Tiffany Dufu at Levo, “Successful mentorship relationships are reciprocal and involve elements like sharing common interests, staying in touch, enhancing networks, and learning more about yourself.” Could fellow Thetas fit that description any more?

Fast-forward 10 years, and Lisa is now my co-worker at Fraternity headquarters. In my early years, she helped me navigate the intricacies of a new workplace. She supported my ideas when I was not confident in them. She’s encouraged my personal and professional growth. She’s told me things that she knew might be difficult for me to hear. She celebrated my successes.

During this Advisor Appreciation Month, I wanted to say thank you, Lisa, for being a supportive advisor (even after all these years!), a great mentor, and most importantly, a trusted friend and sister.

How about you? Does our relationship sound familiar? Do you have a current or former Theta advisor who serves as a mentor in your life?