BY NAOMI MATHEW, MEMBER OF ALPHA CHI OMEGA AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT
Going into college, I wasn’t familiar with Greek life. I am from an immigrant household, so almost nothing about the words “Greek” or “sorority” was ever mentioned. I had heard of sororities from my older friends and was eager to see what the buzz was about. However, I had my doubts. Who would want to pay for their friends? How much time will this take from classes? Will this even help me in my future career?
On the day of my school’s Greek exposition, I still hadn’t signed up for primary recruitment, but I decided to stop at some of the tables. The conversations I had changed my mind in a heartbeat. I shared all my concerns and doubts, and the girls told me that a sorority helped make the campus community so much smaller and feel like home everywhere. As someone from out of state, that was something I really was excited by. I realized that I can’t assume anything if I don’t just try it out. College is meant for new experiences, and I was ready. That night I filled out the application.
Formal recruitment was better than I expected. As I went through the rounds, Alpha Chi Omega stayed so genuine and easygoing for me. The conversations were real, and the philanthropy was something I had a pure passion for as a women, gender and sexuality studies minor.
During sisterhood round, I met my now-big sister, Jay, who had a similar family life and future career path as me. She made me feel understood, and I knew from then that Alpha Chi Omega was the place that I would thrive. On Bid Day when I opened up my card and saw the green and red, I screamed; I knew exactly where I was meant to be, and I was ecstatic that the girls in Alpha Chi Omega had felt that connection.
My new member experience was amazing. I met more than 100 girls who are all so genuine and want to see me succeed. I never knew what that felt like before. To feel loved and appreciated by them showed me that there are people who care for you and are willing to help you reach your potential.
As I look ahead, I am confident that the lessons learned and the relationships built within the Greek community will continue to guide me in making a positive impact and leading with integrity in all aspects of my life.
I was interested in giving back to the chapter that had given me everything, and I was elected to my chapter’s executive board in 2023 as Panhellenic delegate. This role helped me grow my confidence, something I have struggled with and still do to this day. During my role, a fellow sister, Emily, was serving as Panhellenic president. She made a big impact on not only the Panhellenic community but Greek life as a whole; it inspired me, and I was ready for a more involved position to make an impact on the community that has shown me that growth in college is not only about your academics but also your personal endeavors. I was nervous about such a big goal and was ecstatic to be selected as executive vice president of Panhellenic. The Panhellenic board saw my strengths and the vision that I wanted to create for the community.
Being on the executive board at Alpha Chi taught me how to work as a team and grow together for a shared goal, and being on Panhellenic exec taught me even more. I had to learn how to work with girls I didn’t know.
I was unsure if I could plan initiatives by myself. I had to learn how to work with girls I didn’t know. I was unsure if I could plan initiatives by myself. Imposter syndrome was approaching quickly. However, I stuck to it, and after the first few weeks I was comfortable with not only my position but also the amazing girls I was working with. Although all of us are in different sororities, we have the common goal of giving back to the community and supporting an amazing council that helps girls grow.
In February I attended the Northeast Greek Leadership Association conference. The many educational blocks helped me become a better leader not only for my own council but also for myself. I was able to talk to fellow executive vice presidents from different councils and schools as well as interact with the other councils in my own sorority and fraternity community. I reflected on my leadership and learned how to support my peers and take my experiences in Greek life past my college years, like developing so many transferable skills and forming connections that you could not get elsewhere.
Executive Board
The Order of Omega Honors Society presented a case study competition that weekend as well. I decided to enter with our VP community development to explore our skills. Our prompt was about a fake university that had a fraternity incident regarding alcohol consumption and hazing that caused the whole Greek community to be placed on suspension. We were tasked with developing a risk mitigation plan and implementing a culture change program. Our proposed plan of action was to address the concerning issues of alcoholism and hazing within the fraternity, emphasizing education, accountability and collaboration. By involving national advisors, campus resources and professional staff, our proposal aimed to implement long-term solutions and prevent recurrence of similar incidents. Proactive intervention and support strategies as well as a culture of inclusivity are essential for promoting positive change.
Participating in this case study – and winning first place in our division – gave me confidence as a leader for my community and prepared me for any future scenarios. The leadership skills I have gained from serving on the Panhellenic Council have equipped me for the challenges and opportunities that await beyond college. These experiences have taught me the importance of strategic thinking, collaboration and ethical decision-making – qualities that are invaluable in any future endeavor.
As I look ahead, I am confident that the lessons learned and the relationships built within the Greek community will continue to guide me in making a positive impact and leading with integrity in all aspects of my life. I am excited about the opportunities ahead and am committed to leveraging my experiences to contribute meaningfully to the world beyond college.
