AFA Perspectives Issue 3 2019: Building a Successful Workplace & Employee Experience

Who’s Got DR. ARTHUR E. DOCTOR, JR. Hazing investigations. Budgets and finances. Recruitment.

Advisors. Alumni. Senior administration. Membership intake.

Parents. Risk management. Human Resources and staff management.

These are concepts professionals working in coordinator or assistant/associate director roles frequently see in action, encounter, and may be solely responsible for when working with fraternities and sororities. None of those experiences, however, can fully prepare someone for the role of director. Many — if not all — directors say their first years were spent learning “on the fly” while adapting to different situations, managing personalities, and navigating constituent expectations to ensure fraternity/sorority members have a safe and positive experience.

As such, the following advice is essential for building a strong foundation during the first year of one’s transition to a director role at a new institution.