Caring for the Pi Phi Experience

The Pi Beta Phi member experience is ever-expanding and provides something unique to each of our sisters. For some, Pi Phi provides a support system of like-minded women. For others, Pi Phi provides opportunities to serve their community and the world at large. Still others look to Pi Phi for support and encouragement at a time when it’s needed most. For Virginia Zeta RACHAEL TULLY, Pi Phi allowed her to become the woman and leader she is today.

“Pi Phi was the place where I became a version of myself I always knew was there but didn’t feel comfortable sharing,” Rachael says. “It’s a place that allowed me to figure out who I wanted to be.” As Rachael experienced, Pi Phi’s sisterhood provides support to collegiate members at a critical point in their life — building leadership skills and Sincere Friendships that extend well beyond their collegiate experience.

Rachael’s sisters encouraged and empowered her to lead within her chapter as Vice President Communications and, later, Chapter President. During her time as a chapter officer, the relationships Rachael built both within and outside the chapter introduced her to a world of opportunity. She credits the Fraternity with helping to establish her professional identity.

Rachael was first introduced to working in higher education by her Alumnae Advisory Committee (AAC) Advisor NANNETTE JIMENEZ GORDON, Virginia Zeta, who, at the time, worked in student conduct at Virginia Tech. Rachael followed in Nanette’s footsteps, now working as the Assistant Director for Student Conduct at Virginia Tech and serving as the Member Experience Advisor for the Virginia Zeta Chapter.

“Without Pi Phi, I wouldn’t have met my professional mentors and the past eight years of my life wouldn’t have happened the way they did,” Rachael says. “I really do have everything to thank Pi Phi for — friends, professional life, family — and what better way to give back to something that has given me everything than to support our sisterhood as an alumna.”

In addition to serving on Virginia Zeta’s AAC, Rachael has prioritized giving to Pi Beta Phi Foundation during the past several years. “Giving back has always been important to me,” Rachael says. “You never know the effect of one conversation, one action or one donation; every gift impacts our current and future sisters.”

Rachael witnessed this impact as a collegian when several of her closest sisters received scholarships from our Foundation. Coupled with the leadership development she received as a chapter officer, she knows her gifts to our Foundation are significant to ensuring future generations of Pi Phis have the inspiration to achieve their goals and the support of Sincere Friends.

Although the Pi Phi member experience might look different after graduating college, there are still many ways alumnae members can care for our sisterhood. Rachael hopes her gifts to our Foundation demonstrate her loyalty and care for the Pi Phi sisterhood. “I hope my financial support helps members see that alumnae care about the Pi Phi experience well beyond their time in the chapter,” she says. “Donating to our Foundation shows I care in a way that words can’t express.”

Virginia Zeta RACHAEL TULLY (center) organizes a group at an event at Virginia Tech University.

Pi Beta Phi Foundation is uniquely focused on helping the Fraternity fulfill its mission — promoting friendship, developing women of intellect and integrity, cultivating leadership potential and enriching lives through community service. Foundation support ensures this work continues. “Our Foundation is the core of what Pi Phi espouses itself to be and do,” Rachael says. “My gifts allow our Foundation to continue its purpose.”

Gifts to our Foundation provide critical resources which support leadership development, scholarships, reading initiatives, housing, heritage and grants for sisters in need. Because of gifts like Rachael’s, our Foundation is able to continue to offer care and support to every sister, every year.

To those considering making a gift Rachael says, “Don’t underestimate the impact you have — whether it be one donation or a recurring gift. Oftentimes, we underestimate our impact and our ability to improve someone else’s experience. Each of us have the opportunity to make change for our sisters — some of us don’t even know it yet.”

From left, Virginia Zetas CARA STOMBOCK and RACHAELTULLY stand in front of their chapter house.