When I chose to register for recruitment as a freshman in college, I couldn’t imagine what an impactful decision that would be, let alone that I would be working at Kappa Alpha Theta four years later. Like many students, I was searching for a community and a place where I belonged. Moving to a new state for college (from Georgia to Tennessee) was extremely hard, but I finally found a place at Belmont that felt like home: Eta Phi Chapter.
I loved seeing Theta members who were so involved across campus, and the older members encouraged me to go after leadership positions in the chapter and in other campus organizations. I joined several different Theta committees and eventually served as the recruitment director during my senior year. Being on the recruitment team allowed me to see in myself what older members had seen in me years prior. The support I received gave me newfound confidence and I hoped to give that same support to each new member.
I was able to continue my passion for leadership and for Theta when I became an educational leadership consultant (ELC) earlier this year. In this role, I travel to chapters across the United States and Canada to facilitate workshops on leadership; wellness; diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); and professional development. The topics of these workshops extend beyond a member’s experience in Theta and can be applied in many different environments. Whether we’re talking about delegation, building inclusive communities, or setting boundaries, I love watching members connect our conversations to their lives and gain a better understanding of their individual strengths.
The ELC role also allows me to combine two of my favorite activities: traveling and meeting new people. The consistent travel schedule has taught me how to adapt to any situation and has helped me develop a greater sense of independence. As a very social person, traveling alone was difficult at first, but I have learned to appreciate being by myself. Now I love to get lunch alone and read my book or go for a solo walk around the campus I’m visiting. With each new chapter I visit, I also meet lots of new people. Getting to know the chapter members is so fun and I love to see how each member can be so unique, yet still connected by Theta.
Kappa Alpha Theta has played a pivotal role in my life since I joined in 2021. My best friends, roommates, and now coworkers are people I met through Theta. I joined Theta searching for a community, and along the way I grew into the person and leader that I am today. In my time as an ELC, I’ve continued to learn more about myself and the Fraternity. Each chapter I visit provides a new perspective and teaches me more about what it means to be a Theta.
The application for the 2025-2026 ELC program is now open through Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. Learn more on the ELC Program web page.