BEYOND THE BADGE

This or That:

EXTROVERT OR INTROVERT

ART MUSEUM OR HISTORY MUSEUM

PLANE OR BOAT

MORNING OR NIGHT

COFFEE OR TEA

Meet: Lisa Phelan Confer

BETA XI 1984/MICHIGAN TECH

A proud alumna of the Beta Xi Chapter, Lisa Phelan Confer joined Alpha Sigma Tau at Michigan Technological University. While at Michigan Tech, she met her husband, Scott; they have been married for 36 years. After graduating with a degree in Environmental Engineering, Lisa worked for the Ford Motor Company for 16 years. She retired when her son, Matthew, was in elementary school. Lisa said, “I don’t regret it one bit.” After Scott retired, the two moved to Celebration, Florida, where they are currently remodeling their home and enjoying the sunshine. In Lisa’s free time, she enjoys entertaining, cooking, baking, traveling, and spending time with her family, including her granddaughter Ella.

I am most proud of…

My family! Scott and I have a true, lasting relationship that has been forged from love, honesty, and a lot of laughter! Matthew was a joy to watch grow up, and we are so proud of him, [his wife] Sierra, and little Ella.

The best piece of advice I’ve ever received…

Just keep showing up. Showing up is half the battle. No matter what the environment, just show up and make the best of every situation.

The advice I’d give to younger Sisters…

Be your genuine self. This can be very difficult and stressful at a young age with the pressures of society, but with age comes wisdom. Also, listen, listen, listen! You don’t always have to speak to enjoy someone’s company, and you can learn so much from others when you just take the time to listen.

Alpha Sigma Tau helped me get where I am today because…

I was the person who was overly involved on campus. Being part of Alpha Sigma Tau helped me to understand prioritization and multi-tasking. It also gave me an extended Sisterhood of lifelong friends that I am proud to call part of my family. Defining Excellence means…

Be the best person you can be and make the most of every situation in which you find yourself. This includes using your time, talents, or treasures to place others in a better position so they can be the best they can be.

FIND YOUR WAY HOME:

SORORITY MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS MENTAL HEALTH

Beta Rho/Arkansas Tech shows off how they support and empower women

We hear about mental health all the time – it’s practically the newest buzzword, and as popular items often are, it’s frequently looked upon with suspicion: Can you really not do this because you have anxiety? Are you actually experiencing a depressive episode? Or are you just a worn-down, tired college student? Why can’t you recover and move on? The answer from college students is a resounding yes. Yes, I have anxiety. Yes, I am experiencing depressive tendencies. Yes, I am a worn-down and tired college student. And no, I cannot recover on my own – not without help. Dyad Strategies, a higher-ed consulting service, provides an annual assessment of the state of sorority and fraternity life. In their most recent assessment, a college student's mental health is their number one issue. Students will prioritize their mental safety and well-being over almost anything else, including their education. The study found that: • 30% of sorority women reported feeling depressed. • 82% said that they struggled with anxiety. • Of the women who develop substance dependencies in college, two out of three struggle with mental health issues – and women are more likely to depend on alcohol and binge drinking overall. • Suicide is the #3 cause of death for this generation, with 1 in 5 women reporting suicidal thoughts over the past year. • 1 in 5 women will experience sexual assault on some scale.

The study also found that this generation – comprising the very tail end of millennials and primarily Gen Z – is the most likely to be plugged into technology but also the most likely to report being lonely, with a whopping 60%. Additionally, 50% of sorority women said they felt isolated and stressed during the pandemic, despite all the technological access. This is where sororities step in. We provide the social, face-

50% turn to a friend or Sister when they are struggling, and 84% report feeling more connected to their peers due to their membership. 80% of sorority women find their chapters supportive when they need something, and 74% feel genuinely cared about by their chapter Sisters.

to-face interaction that these women have been craving as well as help them find a support system in each other.

“I struggle with social anxiety, like so many others, and I never once felt an ounce of that at Convention. I felt like I could walk up to any Sister and have a conversation with them about anything. I never met a person who was unwilling to help, talk, give advice, laugh, or recount old stories with me. I was met with warmth and love from everyone. The Sisters I met and the conversations I had have changed my outlook on life and the Sorority.”

By creating those caring connections and friendships on campus, sorority involvement improves the college

experience and Sisters’ lives after college. Sorority women are three times more likely than the average college student to graduate, two times more likely to have internships during their college career, and three times more likely to have a full-time job within months of graduation. Alumnae are five times more likely to be satisfied with all five areas of wellbeing: physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual. Sororities also allow women to explore complex topics, develop new opinions, and learn more about themselves in a safe environment. 63% of sorority women say their chapter respects and honors their differences, and nearly half of the sorority members surveyed say they feel comfortable discussing difficult topics with their Sisters.

“Everyone has a voice and wants to feel like it is being heard. It is so important that we make sure their voices are being heard, and they feel like they have a platform where they are comfortable enough to share their opinions.”

These feelings of acceptance are especially important as we consider that demographically, 33% of incoming college students are first-generation, 45% identify as non-white, and 12% identify as LGBTQ+ or non-straight. These students are also searching for a place to belong, and only 5% of them believe they will join Greek life.

Of the sorority women surveyed, 83% reported that their confidence and leadership skills improved due to their sorority membership. 76% said they experience joy daily, and almost 80% felt positive and excited about what the sorority experience offered them.

Beta Epsilon/Shippensburg’s annual MeToo event informs their community about sexual assault

“Everyone is struggling right now. We need to work together to create an Alpha Sigma Tau that is welcoming to everyone.” “After a tough past year losing my dad and struggling in school, the burnout I experienced really impacted my outlook [on life]. Convention reminded me of why I joined Alpha Sigma Tau. I wanted a like-minded, supportive, and hilarious group of women who will always be there for me.”

Most importantly, 80% of alumnae would relive their sorority experience, reporting that they found their time in a collegiate chapter meaningful and that being a member gave them a sense of direction in college. Maybe that’s why sorority members are five times more likely to give financially to their alma mater and two times more likely to encourage others to attend than an average student. As we embrace another recruitment season in the spring semester and welcome new women to Alpha Sigma Tau, let’s keep these statistics in mind. Just as in 1899, women want a place to belong and bring meaning to their lives. Sororities, like Alpha Sigma Tau, help them do so and allow them to build Connections throughout their lives.

“The bond of sisterhood is stronger than I ever could have imagined.”

Let’s help each other find the women looking for a home and welcome them in – after all, most women hear about sororities from friends!

A key takeaway I found is that imposter syndrome can happen to anybody and that I am every bit as capable to represent my chapter as everyone else. I feel more confident and encouraged to keep learning how to be a leader for my chapter.

Through Alpha Sigma Tau, I’ve learned about setting healthy boundaries and how to bring positivity back into my life.

It was so inspiring to see all of our Sisters working together to make a great experience and lifting each other up.

I wasn’t alone in the feelings I have had over the past few years. It made me feel a lot better to know that I wasn’t

alone in these experiences.

I am currently battling depression. [Convention] made me take a step back and realize that I need to be

more positive but also love myself for who I am.

HOW ALPHA SIGMA TAU SUPPORTS MEMBERS' MENTAL HEALTH

Health and Safety Resources

Alpha Sigma Tau has worked to keep up with the demand for mental health resources. Thanks to the Alpha Sigma Tau Foundation, which funds our Health and Safety courses, we address everything from mental health to prescription drug abuse, providing information and resources for the challenges facing current college students across the country.

We also offer free mental health screenings to all collegians and alumnae, which can give them basic information and get them in contact with a mental health care provider. In this way, our resources support our chapter members by encouraging them to touch base with each other about their mental health and care for each other to the best of their abilities, but also to reach out to professionals when circumstances are beyond their control.

“The power we have to help each other with the smallest of actions is incredible.”

Chapter Accountability Task Force

Starting in 2021, based on feedback received from collegians, the National Council prioritized reworking the Tau Honor Council process, Alpha Sigma Tau’s current peer accountability and judicial standards system. Although currently in a test stage with select pilot chapters, the new Chapter Accountability Task Force is focused on establishing a process that centers on care and concern rather than punitive measures.

Without Alpha Sigma Tau, I never would have realized my full potential or had the courage to make big life changes.

Epsilon Chi/Minnesota-Duluth lean on each other during the 44th National Convention

National Opportunities for Connection

One of the best ways to further connection amongst our collegians is through national events that allow them to meet other collegians and alumnae. Our Conventions and Officer Academies are consistent ways for many collegians to establish stronger bonds, see long-lasting relationships in action, and make new friendships. In fact, 63% of Convention attendees made new friendships and connections, while 54% could reconnect with old friends and contacts.

“[My favorite part of Convention was] reconnecting with women I met during Officer Academy!” “It’s astounding how many similarities I found myself having with Sisters from across the country.”

Additionally, these events include opportunities to hear from professionals and leaders in mental health and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion fields. Hearing others’ stories and sharing their own allows collegians and alumnae to find safety in their Sisters and feel the ultimate truth of our Sisterhood: you are not alone

“I shared my struggles with mental health and how I wanted to help those who are feeling similar. This opened up a welcoming door of arms from people all across Convention. It truly touched my heart and made me even more grateful I was not successful in my attempt to take my life.” “I am sitting at a table with people I met less than 30 minutes ago feeling more connected with these Sisters than I had in a long time. I was surprised at how similar our difficulties could be, and was thankful for the thoughts, ideas, and advice they shared.”