& MGC NPHC See Growth Across UT’s Campus

The Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) at UT is comprised of six culturally diverse sororities and fraternities. The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) consists of the Divine Nine, which are historically African American greek life organizations. At UT, there are currently eight of those nine organizations active on campus.

Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Incorporated became the first MGC on campus in 2001 and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated became the first NPHC organization in 1970. Stephen J. Black, the MGC and NPHC coordinator for the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life, said there are many reasons these organizations are important.

The organizations “have similar core values of service, advocacy and scholarship. The members create community through programming and community engagement that helps all students develop a sense of identity, mattering and of belonging,” Black said.

These organizations allow members of diverse backgrounds and cultures to come together with other similar students to create friendships and produce change. Another key element of these organizations’ values is community service and outreach.

Children’s education, mentoring and domestic violence awareness are a few ways the MGC gives back through its philanthropy.

The NPHC organizations are involved with the Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Over the last several years, membership in the university’s MGC and NPHC has increased. From the 2020-2021 academic year to the 2021-2022 academic year, membership rose by 14%.

Students join these organizations to find comfort by surrounding themselves with others who have had similar experiences as minorities at a Primarily White Institution (PWI) such as UT. The members come together to use their voices, support one another and raise awareness for their cultures.

ReKiyah Owens, a junior and member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, is the Vice President of Administration for the 2023 NPHC Executive Board.

Both of Owens’ parents are members of the NPHC so she wanted to continue that legacy and in doing so she found a sense of belonging at a PWI.

She believes membership has increased because NPHC brand is becoming more well-known.

“We are putting on more events to appeal to the eyes of the students we are trying to recruit and make sure that we are being seen and heard. Not just to the students but to the school as well,” Owens said.

Sophomore Ann Howard became a member of Delta Phi Lambda Sorority, Incorporated this year. The diverse backgrounds of each person provide a shared sense of comfort which is Howard’s favorite aspect of being an MGC member.

“I am part Filipina and white, so I have always had a hard time finding a place where I feel connected to my heritage without judgment. These girls have experienced similar tribulations as I have growing up … we are a close family that will continue to empower the next generation of women and spread Asian awareness,” Howard said.

The MGC and NPHC both hope to continue their growth across campus and welcome anyone interested in joining to reach out to learn more.

According to Howard, these organizations provide a safe space for all and “has become a tight-knit community that is always open for anyone to join.”