Themis—Spring 2021 by Zeta Tau Alpha

NATIONAL COUNCIL National President Alicia Patten Williams, Theta Psi Vice President Collegiate I Jess Adams Meyers, Eta Beta Vice President Collegiate II Laura Moak Redman, Delta Lambda Vice President Collegiate III Kimberly Jones Ivester, Gamma Pi Vice President Alumnae I Kery Reinkemyer Webb, Eta Iota Vice President Alumnae II Cheri White Armstrong, Theta Gamma Secretary-Treasurer Shannon Ferguson, Alpha Psi National Panhellenic Conference Delegate Katie Peoples Zamulinsky, Theta Xi Extension Director Raechel Bennett Biggs, Delta Gamma ZTA FRATERNITY HOUSING CORPORATION President Dinah Jackson Laughery, Beta Gamma Vice President Housing Area I Natalie Yingling Lisko, Delta Omega Vice President Housing Area II Julie Ward Moxley, Theta Sigma Vice President Housing Area III Marnie Marlar Frazier, Eta Omega Vice President Construction Kris Fleming, Eta Theta Vice President Design Julia Marthaler Hill, Eta Rho Vice President Operations Casey Guimbellot Pash, Iota Chi Secretary-Treasurer Stephanie Arnette Powell, Gamma Pi Directors Alicia Patten Williams, Theta Psi Carolyn Hof Carpenter, Theta Tau Shannon Ferguson, Alpha Psi ZTA FOUNDATION President Carolyn Hof Carpenter, Theta Tau Vice President of Alumnae Development Cynthia Byars Courtney, Gamma Tau Vice President of Collegiate Development Marlene Dunbar Conrad, Eta Iota

From Where I Sit “Hi neighbor,” was Mr. Rogers’ standard greeting. Mr. Rogers has always inspired me, especially as someone who grew up in his hometown, where he hosted his iconic television show for more than 30 years. As an adult, the wisdom of Mr. Rogers is just as important—if not more important—to me as it was in my childhood. He used his platform to inspire, nurture and educate. As a member of National Council, I see it as my responsibility to do the same to be a good steward of Zeta Tau Alpha’s legacy. Some of what I appreciate most about Mr. Rogers is the way he used stories to inspire change. Throughout my Zeta Tau Alpha journey, a lot of stories have inspired me along the way—funny stories that created memorable moments with my sisters, stories that motivated me to be a leader and others that encouraged me to continue to serve the Fraternity. One thing I learned from years of watching Mr. Rogers is that listening is more important than talking. It is not always easy to do—it’s more of a delicate artform than a quickly mastered skill—but in challenging or confusing situations, if I remind myself to listen carefully, I can learn and grow. Part of my responsibility as Vice President Collegiate I is to listen to our collegians’ hopes, challenges and successes and use those stories to guide the Fraternity forward. Mr. Rogers created a neighborhood that was inclusive, curious, positive and intentional. As members of Zeta Tau Alpha, we must do the same by cultivating environments where all members feel welcome and encouraged to grow. That growth comes from speaking your truth while listening to others’ truths, being mindful of your words and tone, and embracing the awkwardness of silence. Don’t shy away from those difficult learning moments; lean in with empathy and grace. Listening to others doesn’t mean you have to give up your own beliefs; it simply makes your world more diverse. What does it mean to be a good neighbor in the ZTA “neighborhood”? To me, it means building trust through listening, ensuring others feel loved and heard, and cultivating a space in which all members feel a sense of belonging. Each of us must live in our neighborhood, engage with its residents, and contribute to something greater than ourselves, ultimately building a world where we reaffirm to our neighbors daily that we “like you just as you are.”

Vice President of Philanthropy Sherry Server Tilley, Zeta Alpha Vice President of Scholarship Catherine G. Slaughter, Alpha Eta Secretary-Treasurer Kay Dill Kreutzer, Eta Rho Directors Nora Nell Hardy Jackson, Beta Gamma Becky Hainsworth Kirwan, Gamma Beta Alicia Patten Williams, Theta Psi Shannon Ferguson, Alpha Psi Dinah Jackson Laughery, Beta Gamma Stephanie Arnette Powell, Gamma Pi

JESS ADAMS MEYERS Vice President Collegiate I

SPRING 2021

Contents 02

THINGS WE ZETA LOVE

IN MEMORIAM

FRATERNITY NEWS

OFFICER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

ON THE COVER:

Careers don’t come with clear directional signs, and sometimes the road leads to unexpected destinations. “What’s next” is up to the Zetas in the driver’s seats.

ARCHIVES

page 11

VOLUME 119 NUMBER 3

SPRING 2021

1036 S. Rangeline Road Carmel, IN 46032 (317) 872–0540 zetataualpha@zetataualpha.org

ZTA FOUNDATION NEWS

PURPOSE, PARTNERSHIP, PANHELLENIC Learn about the important role Alumnae Panhellenic Associations play in promoting the sorority experience.

IT’S ALL “GREEK” TO ME Find out how to make the most of on-campus partnerships by collaborating with groups outside of National Panhellenic Council (picture above).

WHAT’S NEXT? CAREER PLANNING FOR THE ROAD AHEAD Read about eight Zetas’ professional journeys and how they’ve handled career moves— expected and unexpected.

THEMIS

SEEKING UNDERSTANDING

NOBLE ACHIEVEMENTS

POINTS OF PRIDE

STAFF Editor Ensley Caldwell, Omicron Graphic Designer Kahlie Cannon Senior Director of Communication Ashley Sherman Contributors Kristel Aranas, Delta Alpha Christy Marx Barber, Alpha Psi Susan L. Beard, Delta Psi Hannah Keith Patti Cords Levitte, Beta Phi Hailey Mangrum Madeline Smith, Zeta Alpha Cassie Hughes Thomas, Eta Tau Tish Torres Wright, Theta Eta Learn more about the contributing writers on the ZTA website at: bit.ly/Themis-writers

#BadgeDay21 FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA @ztafraternity |

Georgia Southern University @sydney_sed

Steadfast & Strong Sara Kopunova

Upsilon Chapter University of California, Berkeley Like a true engineer, VP III/Membership Chair Sara Kopunova created a detailed plan to tackle the complex scenario before her. While the chapter knew in summer 2020 that fall Recruitment would be entirely virtual, it was one thing to know it and another to execute it. Through it all, Upsilon kept its longheld goal of meeting Quota in mind.

Beth Brown

Found my badge and took a moment to stroll down memory lane with my ZTA scrapbook starting as a pledge in 1970. Hope my Kappa girls and other ZTA’s I have met will join me in the fun of sharing a post.

@sydney_sed So thankful for ZTA everyday but especially today on international badge day! Our badge reminds me of true sisterhood, lifelong friendships and love, the greatest of all things. #badgeday21

Susquehanna University @cmkleman

The university implemented an audioonly round for all Panhellenic chapters, which helped eliminate superficial bias. “We focused on conversations and how we felt about each PNM as a friend,” Sara said. “We’re proud to say we recruited our most diverse class ever.” Showing the close-knit relationships and true ZTA experience through videos and photos was key to Upsilon’s success in meeting Quota. Sara delegated those responsibilities to women in the chapter to encourage even more overall buy-in. “Such an essential part of the process is the people around you,” Sara said. “The fact that I had so much help from my advisors, the Executive Committee and the chapter was a major factor in our success.”

Written by Madeline Smith, Contributing Writer

WINTER 2021 UPDATE The Dayton, OH Alumnae Recognition Scholarship was awarded to Emma Tobin (Iota Pi Chapter, University of Dayton). 2

Themis Spring 2021 | Things We Zeta Love

Sam Houston State University @shsuzeta

@cmkleman Badges are a Panhellenic Girl’s Best Friend • #badgeday21 #panhelroomielove #zetaloveandmasks #weareZTA #supanhellenic #lastbadgeday

@shsuzeta yesterday we celebrated international badge day!! this badge bonds and connects every sister together comment below why you are proud to wear our badge!!! #BadgeDay21 #WeAreZTA #shsuzeta #shsu25

WV Wesleyan College @wvwczta Happy Badge Day! ••• The badge of Zeta Tau Alpha is symbolic to our fraternity and connects our chapter’s sisterhood to its deep history. Wearing our badge connects Delta Upsilon to our sisters across all of Zeta Tau Alpha #WEareZTA #ZLAM #BadgeDay21

REMEMBERING

Mary “Bunky” Womble Manley By Christy Marx Barber, Staff Writer Mary “Bunky” Womble Manley was always proud of the fact that she was the loudest cheerleader at Elon University. She lived life at full volume and with a full heart that inspired her Zeta Tau Alpha sisters and her beloved third grade students. Mrs. Manley passed away Jan. 18, 2021, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, at age 64. As a collegian in 1988, former National President Keeley McDonald met Mrs. Manley as the Membership Advisor for newly installed Iota Sigma Chapter (Old Dominion University). “She was a young alumna who was involved and fun and who balanced work, home and ZTA,” Ms. McDonald said. “What we saw in her was everything we wanted to be.” When Mrs. Manley was elected to National Council as Vice President Collegiate I, she created chants and songs for the Area I chapters, which were generally smaller than chapters in Areas II and III. “She was such a motivator,” said Ms. McDonald, who later served as Vice President Collegiate I as well. “She was proud of Area I and called it ‘Area I Awesome.’ She believed the size of your chapter didn’t determine what you could do for ZTA.”

Mrs. Manley was in her 25th year at Linkhorn Park Elementary School in Virginia Beach at the time of her passing. She was especially passionate about helping her students love and understand science, technology, engineering and math. Former Province President Janet Thompson, who also taught at Linkhorn, said, “Bunky was always building the children’s self-esteem. She was energetic and ready to help anyone—a fabulous teacher who was so well respected.” Mrs. Manley loved to see her former students become ZTA sisters when they got to college. She also enjoyed lunch dates with “The Nines,” a group of Tidewater-area ZTA alumnae that included Janet, former National Council members Linda

Bowers Deviney and Peggy Hannon Thornton, and alumnae of Alpha Chapter. “Sometimes there were nine of us and sometimes just six or seven,” Janet said. “We will all miss Bunky terribly.” Mrs. Manley was preceded in death by her father, Worth M. Womble Jr. She is survived by her sister, Barbara Womble Kahle (also an alumna of Eta Zeta Chapter), and her husband Douglas; her brother Bill Womble; and her sons, Worth Tanner Manley and Alexander Monroe Manley. She would often tell the chapters she visited, “I love Z, T and A—Zeta, Tanner and Alex.” Her mother, Rosalie T. Womble, who had lived with Mrs. Manley in recent years, passed away Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021.

ZTA MILESTONES INITIATED AT ETA ZETA CHAPTER Elon University 1975 FIELD CONSULTANT (now known as Leadership Consultant)

1978-1979 PROVINCE PRESIDENT III-B 1989-1992 VICE PRESIDENT COLLEGIATE I 1992-1995 MENTOR 1999-2001

AWARDS CERTIFICATE OF MERIT 1987 HONOR RING 1992

LEFT: 1992 National Council BACK ROW: Nan Barkley Boettcher, VPA II; Susie Werner Schneider, VPC III; Roxanne Trovato Wood, VPA I; Mary “Bunky” Womble Manley, VPC I; Kay McCoy McKelvey, Secretary-Treasurer FRONT ROW: Susan Brown Bone, VPC II; Mary Margaret Compton McDonald, National President; Sherry Server Tilley, NPC Delegate; Cynthia Byars Courtney, Extension Director

In Memoriam | Themis Spring 2021

MEET SPECIAL INITIATE DR. MOLLY DOWNING By Christy Marx Barber, Staff Writer

As a freshman at Purdue University, Molly Downing gave only a brief moment of thought to joining a sorority before deciding it wasn’t for her.

lecturer in the College of Pharmacy and associate director of the Higher Education Center for Alcohol Misuse and Prevention and Recovery at The Ohio State University.

“I’m so introverted. Coming out of high school, I was intimidated by the social aspect of joining a sorority,” she said. “As a pharmaceutical studies major, the thought of anything taking away from my studies was not appealing.”

Now, 20 years and a Ph.D. later, Molly’s love for Purdue and passion for pharmaceutical education led her to fraternity/sorority life after all. On Jan. 26, 2021, she became the newest—and first virtual—Special Initiate of Zeta Tau Alpha.

After graduating from Purdue, Dr. Downing earned her Ph.D. in pharmacology at Vanderbilt University in 2010. Molly cofounded the Generation Rx prescription drug abuse prevention program and introduced it to ZTA chapters at National Leadership Conference in 2017. She is currently a senior

Almost a year earlier, in February 2020, Executive Director Meghan Vicinus Parker and Senior Director of Harm Reduction and University Relations Kyle Pendleton took Molly out to lunch, where Meghan invited her to become the Convention Special Initiate. When Convention became a virtual Sisterhood Celebration, ZTA postponed Molly’s Initiation in hopes of having an opportunity to conduct the service in person at a later date. In October, ZTA’s Ritual Committee and officers of Alpha Theta Chapter at Purdue University produced a reverent virtual version of the Initiation Service. Last fall, ZTA used that virtual version of the service to initiate more than 2,500 members; Molly was the first ZTA initiate of 2021.

LEFT: Molly conducting a science experiment at the Generation Rx Lab in Columbus, Ohio RIGHT: Molly with her husband, Eric, and children, Corbin and Emma 4

Themis Spring 2021 | Fraternity News

Molly’s virtual Initiation Service took place one week before Generation Rx introduced its fourth educational module. As a graduate of Purdue, she chose to become

an initiate of Alpha Theta Chapter and was thrilled that Purdue Zetas conducted the virtual service. “I was so taken aback by that opportunity,” she said. “My heart is with Purdue, and it was so special.” Joining her online for the service were members of National Council and the ZTA Foundation and Fraternity Housing Corporation boards, two former National Presidents, and several ZTA staff members. Kyle joined the Zoom celebration after the service. The number of Zetas who joined her for the service and celebration surprised Molly. “I saw all these incredibly busy people who had carved out several hours of their time to attend,” she said. “I was honored by how special they made it for me.” “Your initiation represents our appreciation for helping us teach safe medication practices for life,” National President Alicia Patten Williams told Molly. “We believe you exemplify ‘Humble Heart’ leadership, which we describe as being gracious and kind while being motivated by knowing your hard work will impact individuals in a positive way. Welcome to our sisterhood.”

BY TISH TORRES WRIGHT Contributing Writer

THEMIS |

SPRING 2021

As an alumna, finding a purpose within ZTA is very easy. Many choose to join alumnae chapters and serve as National Officers, advisors or alumnae chapter officers. But the alumnae experience is bigger than just ZTA; there are also opportunities to serve the larger sorority experience after college through local Alumnae Panhellenic Associations. Just as College Panhellenics advocate on campus for the sorority experience, Alumnae Panhellenic Associations advocate in their communities for the sorority experience. In the U.S. and Canada, there are 171 Alumnae Panhellenic Associations made up of sorority alumnae from all 26 National Panhellenic Conference member organizations. Although each organization has a different creed, badge and crest, members of Alumnae Panhellenic Associations share a common goal of promoting sisterhood. These women are dedicated to continuing the sorority experience through exemplifying both the values of the organizations they belong to as well as NPC’s values of friendship, leadership, service, knowledge, integrity and community.

MEANINGFUL MEETINGS Alumnae Panhellenic Associations continuously look for local sorority women to join their associations. Much like ZTA, they hold alumnae

recruitment events, such as kickoff activities at large venues and small intimate gatherings at members’ homes. Beyond recruiting for just numbers, the associations strive to include women from all 26 NPC groups. Each woman brings her different experiences and background to the table, which enables the associations to plan programming that supports membership retention and educates potential future sorority women in the community. Together, members discuss current topics, trends and challenges as well as new initiatives, policies and best practices from NPC. They use their different perspectives to promote information from NPC and develop problem-solving strategies to overcome adversity at the local level. Diversity in membership also creates a wider network for women in every organization represented. Additionally, having more advocates for the sorority experience translates to more opportunities to reach and impact future sorority women.

PURPOSEFUL PROGRAMMING As with ZTA alumnae chapters, there is more to Alumnae Panhellenic Associations than just meetings. Local Alumnae Panhellenic Associations also establish goals and plan programming to help them meet those goals.

Programming rooted in service and sisterhood is what brings the sorority life experience to fruition both for members and the community. Alumnae Panhellenic Association events usually incorporate the community in some way, like through participating in service projects, hosting socials with other nearby Alumnae Panhellenic Associations, raising money for scholarships to award to high school graduates or holding informational sessions to educate the community about the process of sorority recruitment. SERVICE Service projects can be fun and meaningful, especially when they advocate for and empower women. The projects could include hosting a guest speaker to discuss topics that address women’s health and wellness or financial advice; more hands-on experiences, such as a life skills workshop for young women; or volunteering to help others in need. SISTERHOOD Sisterhood socials with Alumnae Panhellenic Associations could look like a game day with your Panhellenic sisters, a friendly fundraising competition or an event with other associations in the area. This is especially true for larger cities that have multiple Alumnae Panhellenic Associations. These associations will typically share ideas, hold discussions on pressing topics or invite the greater area associations to a meeting to learn from an NPC board member or representative. SCHOL ARSHIPS

K ANSAS CIT Y, MISSOURI 6

Themis Spring 2021 | Feature

Each chapter raises money for the NPC Foundation, but most fundraising efforts support scholarships for local women to help alleviate the rising cost of college education. Fundraisers can be as exciting as they are creative. Examples include auctions, raffles, mother/daughter teas, “friends and family” dinners and themed fashion shows that showcase the members’ high school daughters as models.

Most associations will award scholarship money to recent high school graduates in their area, but undergraduate or graduate students can benefit as well. If the association plans to award it to a high school graduate, the recipient does not have to participate in Primary Recruitment or pledge an NPC group. The most important decision associations make about a scholarship is if it is merit-based or need-based. While the most common practice is providing merit-based scholarships, there are also some need-based scholarships, which typically require an essay response rather than a release of private information. Each association decides on a monetary amount and how many young women will benefit. SHARING INFORMATION Some of the most important events Alumnae Panhellenic Associations host are informational sessions to educate potential new members and parents about sorority recruitment. These events are vital in sharing with all incoming college students exactly what recruitment is like; they are especially important for first-generation college students and their families, since they have never experienced fraternity/sorority life. The sessions should cover valuesbased recruitment, examples of the Primary Recruitment process and how to contact a College Panhellenic for university-specific recruitment questions. Most importantly, attendees should leave the session with suggestions on how to connect with collegiate members by formulating good questions, being authentic and self-assessing values in order to find the right fit in a sorority.

POWERFUL PARTNERSHIP Being part of the local Alumnae Panhellenic Association is crucial to ensure Zetas’ voices are heard, network with NPC sisters through shared challenges and triumphs, have

NE W YORK CIT Y, NE W YORK

vulnerable conversations and make changes where they are needed.

IMPORTANT IMPACTS

Recruitment is a perfect example of why it is important for ZTA and local associations to work together. In early 2020, Alumnae Panhellenic Associations were preparing for and conducting recruitment information events. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, NPC quickly shifted priorities to protect the health of incoming and current college students as well as Alumnae Panhellenic Association members and address necessary changes in sorority recruitment.

The “why” behind joining an Alumnae Panhellenic Association is the opportunity to enrich others’ lives. Now more than ever, collegians are looking for their home and their people in the college landscape, whether it’s in person or virtual. By choosing to promote these spaces dedicated to women’s leadership, empowerment and friendship, members of Alumnae Panhellenic Associations help ensure sororities’ continuation for years to come.

In May, NPC published the “Recruitment Contingencies Task Force Report for College Panhellenics.” It detailed the important changes that needed to happen in order to remove barriers to recruitment and to promote why sororities are important. The report enabled College Panhellenics to plan for fall Primary Recruitment and Alumnae Panhellenic Associations to continue promoting the sorority experience. A change in NPC’s recruitment rules allowed chapters to recruit women as soon as they matriculated, as opposed to having to wait until PNMs arrived on campus. This change also helped Alumnae Panhellenic Associations promote the fraternity/sorority life experience to recently graduated seniors before they left for college.

While sororities continue to work to prove their worth in their communities, members of Alumnae Panhellenic Associations serve as representatives of the sorority experience. As women who have benefited and continue to benefit from the sorority experience, alumnae are responsible for keeping it alive for future generations, passing on the skills, community and leadership opportunities earlier sorority women handed down. To find and join a local Alumnae Panhellenic Association, search online for association websites, contact an area coordinator using the list on the NPC website or go to thesororitylife.com/panhellenic-map.

Feature | Themis Spring 2021

OLA 2020 TRANSITIONS TO VIRTUAL PLATFORM By Hannah Keith, Director of Education & Engagement

Keeping “the welfare and harmony of the Fraternity at heart,” National Council made the decision in August 2020 to transition Officer Leadership Academy to a virtual platform to keep members healthy and safe while still providing the training officers needed. On Nov. 13-14, 2020, at ZTA’s largest leadership event to date, 1,449 newly elected officers and advisors from all 174 chapters learned skills and information they needed to know to take on their role. Staff members worked closely with the ZTA Training Committee and National Council to provide the best experience, from facilitator selection to the overall agenda. They also made the sessions virtual-friendly by inserting facilitator instructions to use features of the online platform, Hubb (OLA “lobby” pictured below). The platform allowed ZTA to host everyone in one space. One easy login gave each attendee access to

all of the General Sessions, Officer Tracks, wellness breaks and facilitator contact information. Hubb also offered space for attendees to share contact details and a fun selfie station to snap and share pictures of what their OLA learning spaces looked like. This year’s OLA included three new Officer Tracks for Ritual Chairs, House Managers, and Program Council Advisors and new wellness breaks. In August, ZTA emailed potential facilitators asking which of their talents they would be willing to share with ZTA, and they delivered instructional videos on yoga, dancing and calligraphy (Check them out on Z-Learning!). ZTA also increased emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion throughout OLA. Through the lens of the Seeking Understanding that We Might Gain True Wisdom Key Value, each officer reflected on how to use her role to make chapter events

from meetings to recruitment to new member education more inclusive and create positive change. GENERAL SESSIONS To kick off the weekend, National President Alicia Patten Williams gave a charge focused on learning, sisterhood and hope for these newly elected officers and advisors. All three Vice Presidents Collegiate and the Extension Director made appearances in the prerecorded General Sessions as well. These sessions emphasized skills applicable to leading on the chapter level and supporting their fellow officers with all of their responsibilities. New to OLA this year, the Seeking Understanding General Session allowed officers to work through a new My Sister, My Responsibility®

THINKING ABOUT VOLUNTEERING FOR ZTA? Fill out a Volunteer Interest Form at bit.ly/ZTA_VolunteerInterest

Themis Spring 2021 | Officer Leadership Academy

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THE OLA EXPERIENCE “Every time I facilitate, I leave stronger and more excited to work with our women.” “While I was nervous about OLA being virtual, it exceeded my expectations beyond belief! This platform was so organized and well thought out.” “The platform was very professional, and I enjoyed the mental health breaks throughout the weekend. ZTA has done an AMAZING job providing resources to chapter members this year.” program. National Secretary-Treasurer Shannon Ferguson and Inclusion Committee Member and Province President VIII-B Suzanna Johnson helped officers learn how to build belonging within their chapters through genuine conversations. The Sisterhood and Belonging session took on an even more important meaning in light of COVID-19. The session focused on how officers can build and create more belonging, even when chapter operations are not business as usual. Officers also had plenty of time to talk with the rest of their Executive Committee teams. ZTA intentionally built in time to include officers not attending OLA and connect attending officers from their homes. Before the start of OLA, ZTA asked Presidents to create team Zoom rooms to utilize at specific points to discuss how they could apply General Session topics to their chapters.

THE SISTERHOOD CONNECTION OFFICER TRACKS Outside of the General Sessions, officers and advisors received four hours of training specific to their roles, covering topics like meeting management, balancing a budget, reporting duties and more. During prerecorded sessions, attendees had the opportunity to learn from ZTA experts in each officer role, including former National Presidents and current board members, giving all attendees access to the same knowledge base. Peer interaction in live small groups led by facilitators was still a vital educational component of OLA; but instead of face-to-face conversations, officers shared ideas and leadership experiences through the chat feature. The virtual format allowed attendees to connect with other officers from across the country rather than only those in their geographic area.

Trivia was extra exciting this year, as it offered attendees a chance to tour parts of the Historical and Educational Center from their own homes. ZTA Archivist Patti Cords Levitte and Archives Committee Chair Susan L. Beard brought the trivia session (complete with prizes) to members live from the HEC. Overall, these sessions made for another impactful, empowering weekend. While not physically together, Zetas were able to come together in a different way to learn how to better serve their chapters and the Fraternity. OLA proved once again that Zetas can adapt in amazing ways to keep sisterhood “Steadfast & Strong.” top left: Zeta Nu Chapter (Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania) social post about OLA; bottom left: member of Theta Nu Chapter (Auburn University at Montgomery); top right: behind the scenes of ZTA trivia in the HEC; bottom right: OLA attendees from Iota Psi Chapter (Rochester Institute of Technology)

Officer Leadership Academy | Themis Spring 2021

A. ZTA BEADED BRACELETS Set of two elastic band, matte beaded ZTA bracelets $12 | B. ZETA LOVE JEAN JACKET STICKER 2.5” x 3” die cut sticker $2 C. ZTA EMPOWERED WOMEN STICKER 3” die cut sticker $2 | D. ZTA OMBRE TASSEL KEYCHAIN Pink ombre tassel; copper hand-stamped disc engraved with “Zeta Tau Alpha” $15 | E. ZTA DEB ENSOR QUOTE MUG Hand-wash only; microwave safe; 12 oz; bronze imprint $16

STORE.ZE TATAUALPHA.ORG | (317) 872–0540

BY C ASSIE HUGHES THOMAS Contributing Writer

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Feature | Themis Spring 2021

s a first-generation college student entering The University of North Carolina at Charlotte (Eta Tau Chapter) at the ripe age of 17, the only thing I knew about sorority life came from movies like “Old School” and “Legally Blonde” and the TV show “GREEK.” The majority of folks playing these roles portrayed people in historically white fraternities and sororities, so that is what I thought fraternity and sorority life was—pretty, white people who all happened to enjoy having fun together. As the saying goes, “it was all Greek to me.” If I am being truly transparent, I’m not sure I ever fully appreciated how diverse the university’s fraternity/ sorority life community was until long after graduation. I lived in my bubble and was never forced to step out of my comfort zone to educate and immerse myself in tough conversations. We were one community made up of individuals of diverse thoughts, backgrounds and experiences, but I only took advantage of a small slice of that community. Now, in my role as a fraternity and sorority advisor at a different campus, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I get to interact fully with the campus community in a different way and help collegians make the most of their fraternity/sorority experience. The first step in maximizing on-campus partnerships is to find out what groups are in the campus community and learn what they value.

Umbrella Organizations An umbrella organization is an association of related groups—in this case, fraternities and sororities. ZTA and 25 other women’s groups are member organizations of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC). Several other umbrella organizations unite other groups of fraternities 12 Themis Spring 2021 | Feature

and sororities outside of NPC. It is important to understand the history of these organizations and why they exist. NATIONAL PAN-HELLENIC COUNCIL, INCORPORATED (NPHC) The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Incorporated is the umbrella organization for the nine historically Black fraternities and sororities often referred to as the “Divine Nine.” The National Pan-Hellenic Council was founded on May 10, 1930, at Howard University in Washington, D.C. The council incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois in early 1937 and officially became “The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Incorporated.” NPHC takes a lot of pride in being incorporated because its inception occurred during a time when it was nearly impossible for African Americans to form legal corporations and businesses. Racial isolation and social barriers, specifically at predominately white institutions (PWIs), created a need for spaces where African Americans could connect with like-minded individuals. These organizations helped create those spaces. NPHC provided and continues to provide its members opportunities to foster a sense of brotherhood/sisterhood while also creating and implementing programs to bring about social justice and positive change for Black people and the country. NATIONAL ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER DESI AMERICAN PANHELLENIC ASSOCIATION (NAPA) The National APIDA Panhellenic Association comprises 20 member fraternities and sororities. APIDA organizations originated in the early 20th century as supportive spaces for minority students at PWIs. However, the number of Greek-letter Asian interest groups was much lower than the historically white and

Black organizations on campuses at that time due to the many tight immigration laws in place. These laws made it difficult for individuals of Asian descent to come to the United States and attend higher education institutions. From the 1940s through the 1970s, multiple Asian-American interest organizations formed, specifically in southern California. Starting in the late 1980s, the number of Asian American students increased at college campuses across the country, resulting in a large increase of Greekletter organizations for South Asian Americans in the 1990s. In the summer of 2004, 14 APIDA fraternities and sororities came together to form the APIA Greek Alliance (AGA), through which they worked together for various projects, including voter registration and tsunami relief. A year later, AGA hosted its inaugural leadership summit, where these organizations came together and engaged in conversations around their challenges and their futures as APIDA fraternities and sororities. When the summit ended, they realized the need for an umbrella organization and created the National Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Panhellenic Association. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LATINO FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS (NALFO) Sixteen fraternities and sororities, including one coed organization, make up the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations. NALFO was formed on June 27, 1998, “to unite and empower Latino organizations and their communities through advocacy, cultural awareness, and organizational development while fostering positive interfraternal relationships and collaborating on issues of mutual interest.” Oliver Fajardo’s research in “History of Latino Fraternal Movement and Why it Matters on

Resources The historical information in this piece came from other organizations’ websites. They’re a great resource for learning more about the groups on your campus. Campus Today” says Latin American fraternities date back to 1889, but the “Latino Greek Movement” began in 1975 with the founding of Lambda Theta Phi Fraternity, Inc. at Kean College in Union, New Jersey. NALFO fraternities and sororities work to empower and advocate for the Latinx community, especially in higher education. NATIONAL MULTICULTURAL GREEK COUNCIL (NMGC) As the number of students with bicultural or multicultural identities entering college increased in the 1980s and 1990s, so did multicultural fraternities and sororities on college campuses. The need for a sense of belonging and space on campus that celebrated and appreciated a variety of different cultures and identities led to the founding of the 10 organizations that make up the National Multicultural Greek Council. In contrast to Latino, historically Black and Asian organizations, which center on and highlight their culture as a main principle, multicultural fraternal organizations celebrate all cultures. The first multicultural sorority was Mu

nphchq.com napahq.org

Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc., founded in November 1981, and by the mid-1990s there were many more multicultural fraternal organizations on college campuses. The formation of NALFO in 1998 prompted multicultural fraternal organizations’ realization of the need for a similar support network. In October 1998, 13 organizations came together for a leadership summit and formed the National Multicultural Greek Council, Inc. NMGC provides a space for its member organizations to collaborate with and support one another and increase awareness of multicultural diversity on college campuses.

Traditions Like NPC groups, different organizations have different traditions. It’s important to note that non-members should not repeat or mimic calls, chants, stepping, strolling or any other traditions that originate in other groups unless invited to participate in an event or competition. It is a sign of disrespect.

nalfo.org nationalmgc.org

CALLS AND CHANTS It’s common to hear words, sounds or chants at gatherings these organizations host and attend. They are unique to each organization and let members know they are present or used to greet one another through a call-and-response style widely used in African American churches. STEPPING Stepping is a form of dance without music where members move their bodies in a syncopated way that can include stomping, clapping, jumping and chanting. The art form helps maintain social unity and togetherness among members. STROLLING Strolling is a tradition in which members move in a line, either performing the same move or alternating dance moves. Strolls are passed down to new members and are often unique to each chapter.

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LINE JACKETS Members wear line jackets to show pride in their organizations. The jackets typically display organizations’ letters and crests as well as member-specific information, such as the member’s initiation semester and year. The jackets also often feature the chapter name and the name of the school or city in which the member was initiated. They can also include the member’s line name and/or number in their initiation line. MEMBER PRESENTATIONS Some organizations hold special events during which chapters present or reveal new members to the entire community. During this presentation, chapters typically share organizational history, greet other organizations within the same or other councils, and end with a step or stroll.

Building Partnerships While every organization is unique, there’s always common ground to find. Collectively, the fraternity/ sorority community experiences comparable challenges and works to better its members and communities. When reaching out to other groups, start with the commonalities, like women’s health, women’s rights, philanthropy efforts or educational initiatives. Here are a few examples of how groups have partnered at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT CONFERENCE Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. planned and hosted a women’s empowerment conference in the spring 2018 semester. For this event, Chi Omega, the Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/Lambda Pi Chi Sorority, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. helped sponsor the event. The conference covered a variety of topics, including 14 Themis Spring 2021 | Feature

international women’s reproductive health, mental health, body image and sexual harassment. The event also featured a “Bossed and Unbothered” panel on how to stand up and stand out and a reception at the conclusion of the day. CAROLINA WOMXN’S MARCH The College Panhellenic partnered with multiple organizations, including the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc., the Multicultural Greek Council (then known as the Greek Alliance Council), and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., to co-sponsor a womxn’s* march on campus to show their support for all women and all women’s rights. Holding an event like this in January to coincide with the Women’s March on Washington or in March as part of Women’s History Month activities could make it even more poignant and meaningful. *Sometimes organizations use “womxn” with the intent of being more inclusive of the trans and nonbinary communities. CASINO NIGHT FOR A CAUSE Phi Mu partnered with Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. in spring 2019 for its largest philanthropy event, Casino

Night. This event benefits the local branch of Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. “The guys were so much fun to work with, and it was awesome to see Phi Mu form connections past what we had gotten accustomed to,” said Phi Mu chapter President Spencer Washofsky. “Before the actual event, we invited members from Kappa Alpha Psi to our house for lunch so we could meet them and get to know them better. Our members still acknowledge how much they enjoyed lunch with them! The brothers helped sell tickets prior to the event and came to participate.” FINDING FOUNDATIONS IN PHILANTHROPY Alpha Chi Omega and Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., share similar national philanthropies, Domestic Violence Awareness/Raising Awareness of Violence Against Women. The chapters at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill work together every October for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, educating the community and giving out purple ribbons to students, faculty and staff.

Quick tips for establishing on-campus relationships Start with a mixer of just executive board members. The Phi Mu chapter at UNC-Chapel Hill is currently planning Zoom mixers with NPHC and MGC chapters. Zoom mixers are a great way to interact with one another while staying safe during COVID-19. For one of the mixers, everyone will share their favorite recipes a few days beforehand and choose one of those to cook. Everyone will hop onto Zoom and share what they made. They are also planning virtual game nights with iMessage games.

SHOWING SUPPORT The UNC NPHC Legacy Plaza will celebrate the nine NPHC fraternities and sororities. This space will create a positive environment for the organizations to unite in efforts to promote themselves while also educating students about the history of the Divine Nine. After decades of conversation and hard work from students and staff, the project is coming to fruition. Many Panhellenic women attended the monumental groundbreaking (pictured above) at homecoming 2017, where many charter members of the NPHC chapters at UNC-Chapel Hill spoke. Showing up to this event in support of this important and meaningful space meant a lot to the current students and alumni. Find out if your campus has something similar and reach out to the organizations represented or the office of fraternity and sorority life to see how your chapter can support or celebrate it.

Understanding Other Groups’ Programming It is important to recognize what programming looks like for organizations in other councils. For

example, programming for MGC and NPHC is often focused on education. Create a committee for each collaboration effort that focuses on a specific topic. Start with hosting a conversation with groups from other umbrella organizations. Have officers from each chapter share their organizational history and upcoming events before diving into important conversations around topics that affect all fraternity and sorority members as students, such as diversity, equity and inclusion, student government elections, and representation on campus. Once you build the relationships, you can begin planning and collaborating on programming and service. It is much easier to work with people you know and have relationships with than those you don’t. Taking the time to build these relationships will make collaboration more positive and events more successful. These examples are a great starting point for ways “to think in terms of all mankind and our service in the world.” Reach out to other groups now to start planning events for next academic year.

Have a percentage of the chapter attend another organization’s program. For example, if your chapter has 100 women, ask 10% of your women to attend. Those 10 people will represent ZTA at that event, showing the other organization its events matter to ZTA and the chapter without it seeming like ZTA is taking over. Other chapter members can attend different events so most members get to collaborate with another organization at some point. Divide members up by new member class or Founders groups to determine who attends which events. Include multiple groups. If you would like to collaborate with chapters outside of Panhellenic, invite multiple organizations to take part in the planning and facilitation. Instead of inviting one chapter to collaborate, invite all the member sororities of another umbrella organization to be part of the experience. Including other groups broadens perspective, which helps with planning, and promotes attendance. Focus on service, not profits. It’s best to focus on a service project, like collecting canned goods for a local shelter, rather than an event to raise money. Avoid doing a percentage night at a local business so no one has to decide how to divide the profits. Feature | Themis Spring 2021

SPARKING JOY BY CONTROLLING ZTA CLUTTER By Patti Cords Levitte, Archivist, and Susan L. Beard, Archives Committee Chair

Since social events have been a little sparse, the past year offered opportunities for many people to look around their houses and tackle those long overdue projects like cleaning out the basement, attic or storage room. Organizational expert Marie Kondo tells her followers to remove things from their lives that don’t “spark joy” to streamline their material possessions. Chapters and members can also use her advice to streamline their ZTA possessions. Keeping items of historical significance is important, so here are the Archives Committee’s suggestions for tidying up nine types of ZTA belongings.

MANUALS Check storage spaces for outdated manuals, workbooks and guides and shred physical materials before disposing of them; this best practice also applies to getting rid of all personal documents. Email International Office about anything from before the 1980s in case it could fill a gap in the Archives. T-SHIRTS Is the chapter closet overflowing with boxes of leftover T-shirts? Save one to document the event. Fold and press it neatly and slip it in a clear plastic archival envelope; then, store it in an archival box. Make sure to record the event name, place and time on a slip of paper and include it in the plastic envelope. The perfectly preserved T-shirts will be fun to display at a chapter anniversary celebration or alumnae social. Use the rest of them for a T-shirt exchange with another collegiate chapter or a local alumnae chapter. Other options include either finding a ZTA alumna who knows how to make T-shirt quilts or stretching the T-shirts over a canvas to display in the house or for a recruitment event. If clothing with ZTA letters on it is worn out, do not donate it. Instead, reuse the material to make dog toys at a service or sisterhood event to give to a local shelter.

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THEMIS MAGAZINES Chapters lucky enough to have the old bound copies of Themis magazines should keep, use, display and enjoy them. Use Fraternity education information out of the older issues of Themis as the basis for a fun sisterhood trivia night. For loose copies of Themis, keep one copy and email the Archives to see if there is a need for additional loose copies. The committee is always looking to upgrade certain issues. PHOTOS Even though most photos are now digital, some chapters may have boxes of random photos hiding in the storage closet. Keep loose photos in photo storage sleeves and boxes and bring them out at alumnaecollegiate events to get help from alumnae with identifying the events and the people in the pictures. Write the names on the back of the photos using an archival ink pen. Storing

them in a photo storage box from an arts and crafts store will be a neater way to store them and protect them from decay. FORMS Copies of the Initiation forms chapters send to IO should always stay with the chapter. They take up space, but they are part of each chapter’s record. To comply with IRS regulations, collegiate and alumnae chapters should keep financial documentation for seven years. Even though most accounting is digital now, some chapters may have boxes of old canceled checks and bills. Shred and destroy them, but only clean out financial documents with advisors’ guidance. Send a photo of anything truly antique (deeds, vintage store receipts from the 1960s, things that just look fun) to the Archives. SCRAPBOOKS Scrapbooks are one of the best sources of chapter history, and often, they’re the only source. Members want to see them when they come home to campus, and they make great conversation starters at alumnae meetings. Keep them safe in an acidfree storage box or tub.

Scrapbooks older than the 1950s may need preservation help, so please contact the Archives for an evaluation and assistance. Scrapbooks from before World War II may contain historical information that is important to the Fraternity as a whole. The Archives Committee wants to see and preserve these vintage treasures to share with Zetas for decades to come. CHAPTER MEETING MINUTES Copies of chapter minutes are part of chapter history and provide a record of how the chapter has grown. Scan any physical chapter minutes to create a digital record and save them in a folder with the chapter’s other digital minutes. For alumnae chapters, meeting minutes may be the only source of information for what happened 20 or more years ago, making it especially important to digitize old minutes and keep a running list of everyone who has served as an officer. Keep this list in a place like Google Docs that chapter officers can update. AWARDS Keep the newest awards on display and rotate the older ones as decor. ZTA awards should always stay with the chapter, but it’s okay to recycle plastic trophies from campus events. Contact the Archives about any trophies from before 1960.

stories and Facebook events to chapter TikTok and recruitment videos, save this content so there’s a record of what the chapter did. Plus, saving content makes it easy to find for a year-in-review video for graduation or officer changes. Taking the time to thoughtfully organize chapter history helps preserve it for future members. The Archives team is always here to help create a plan to safely store, display and “spark joy” with historical collections.

VIRTUAL CONTENT

STILL NOT SURE IF YOUR Social media functions ITEM BELONGS IN THE ARCHIVES? today like scrapbooks Take a picture and email it to Archivist Patti Cords did in the past. So much Levitte at patti-levitte@zetataualpha.org. information about members and events only lives online, and it’s easy to lose history by not collecting examples of the online content. From Instagram Archives | Themis Spring 2021 17

| BY KRISTEL ARANAS, CONTRIBUTING WRITER |

“What’s next?” One seemingly simple question that could have a thousand (or more) different answers. That kind of uncertainty can be simultaneously exhilarating and terrifying. “What’s next” could be an item on a to-do list, but often, “next” is an unexpected twist or turn. Careers, even outside of the extraordinary times people around the world are living in now, elicit this question frequently. At any time, new graduates and seasoned professionals alike could find themselves in situations they never anticipated. Even so, the following Zetas expertly navigated the challenges they faced by using the resources around them and drawing from their experiences to answer the question, “What’s next?”

Zoe Minton

LAMBDA EPSILON CHAPTER Indiana University—Purdue University Indianapolis Networking is just one of the benefits of joining ZTA’s sisterhood, and Zoe Minton experienced this particular benefit firsthand. Zoe spent the first three and a half years of college honing her skills in public relations and communications on track to graduate and enter the workforce. Outside of classes, she completed two internships, worked part time, and served as HistorianReporter and Vice President III/Membership Chair. Like many self-described planners, Zoe looked forward to planning all the “lasts” of her spring 2020 semester. Thinking ahead, she even started applying for jobs in

December 2019. Everything changed the following March when her campus announced the pandemic had forced the campus to convert to a virtual environment. “The onset of the pandemic was emotionally and mentally draining,” Zoe shared. “I kept telling myself the disappointment was setting me up for something great.” Even so, she didn’t doubt in herself or her skill set. She subscribed to every Indeed and LinkedIn opportunity posted and was able to get five interviews from that wide net she cast. During her job search, she looked for any roles related to public relations or social media, amounting to over 30 applications. During this challenging time, she cherished spending time with her family. Her boyfriend, also a senior at the time, understood the challenge of graduating during the pandemic. The seniors of Lambda Epsilon leaned on each other and stayed positive by checking in on each other’s mental health and keeping in touch with group chats. Social media also helped Zoe cope. “In a weird way, I think seeing everyone cope with the pandemic in different ways made me feel supported,” Zoe said. “Everyone was dealing with the same sorts of emotions.” Her chapter sisters were the key to helping her break into her career. A sister who worked as a press secretary in politics had heard of another politician in need of a social media manager and knew Zoe would be a fit for that job. Through that network, she connected with the president and CEO of an electrical contracting company, who offered Feature | Themis Spring 2021

her an interview late last spring for a position in his company’s marketing department. By another stroke of luck, her interviewer also happened to be a Zeta. “We connected over being in ZTA and the skill set that you bring as a sorority woman,” she said. After finishing that first (and only) interview, she told her mom, “I don’t care how far away it is; that’s where I want to work!” Three days later, the company offered her the job. Since starting her job in May 2020, Zoe has loved every minute of being a marketing coordinator. “For me, one of the most rewarding parts of working for this company is that we get to turn lights on every day,” she explained. By relying on her network and by trusting the process, Zoe was able to find the job that made it all worth it.

Hannah Chapman

KAPPA OMEGA CHAPTER Saint Louis University Even though no one else in her family had graduated from college, Hannah Chapman knew in high school that someday she would be a lawyer; she just didn’t anticipate finishing her senior year of undergrad during a pandemic.

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Her journey to a Juris Doctor started when she joined the debate team in high school. Though recognizing the differences in the playing field for first-generation students, she was proud to become one and ready to take college by storm. “I didn’t really have a lot of resources going into college, but I knew to achieve my dream, college was the next step,” she recalled. “Being a first-generation college student doesn’t make you any less of a student or any less qualified for jobs in your field.” Hannah’s work ethic and academic success earned her a competitive scholarship package from Saint Louis University, where she joined ZTA and studied to earn a degree in psychology. When Hannah struggled with school, she turned to the majorbased study groups the Academic Achievement Chair created. She also took advantage of leadership opportunities, serving as Panhellenic Delegate and as a recruitment counselor. “The resources in ZTA were unmatched compared to those in the small town where I grew up,” Hannah said. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she had to learn to put more trust in herself and her academic abilities. She readjusted her strategies to earn a place in law school, relying less on

office hours and having to study for the new virtual LSAT. “This was a whole new ball game!” she recounted. “Instead of walking across the stage, I received my diploma via the mail.” What made a difference was her Kappa Omega sisters. She was able to lean on the other seniors, sharing in the fact their expectations of their final year of college had to change. When she started applying for jobs to break into the legal field as a legal assistant, her sisters were the ones helping her with her resume and applications. One sister who happens to run a photography business even took her graduation photos for her. While the pandemic may have shifted her plans, her tenacity enabled her to stay on course to follow her dreams. In addition to getting her first acceptances to law school, she landed her first job in the legal field. While she’s keeping her options open as to the specific type of law she’ll specialize in, she’s currently looking at family law as a potential field of expertise. Hannah is currently working under two attorneys at a firm that focuses on family law, where she’s gaining valuable insight into one side of the legal system.

Kel Raleigh

ETA EPSILON CHAPTER Mansfield University of Pennsylvania For a lot of working adults today, their careers might require “jobhopping” to find the right fit. In 2019, Kel Raleigh earned a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing and publishing arts from University of Baltimore. They planned to explore academia as a career and writing creative works. Soon, they realized the culture of bureaucracy

surrounding teaching was not a good fit for them. At this crossroads, Kel considered what else they could do with a writing degree. After some research, they found the Baltimore area had gaps to fill in the technical writing market. Government contractors needed writers like Kel who had the creative writing and editing backgrounds to write in a technical way and grab readers’ attention. They landed their first job as a technical writer in July of 2019 and started what Kel calls their “Career Year.” “At the beginning, I didn’t necessarily know what I was looking for,” Kel said, “but with each job transition, I realized what I was not looking for.”

first home.” After three jobs, they needed to be honest with themselves about what they were looking for; and by now, they knew they were looking for a community. To find it, they focused on improving their LinkedIn and website. They knew that taking the time to improve their presence on those platforms would result in recruiters reaching out to them with opportunities. It paid off when a recruiter approached Kel via LinkedIn about working as a technical writer with their current company. When they asked their employer why they got hired, Kel learned it was because they were the only person who did not say “I’m the best.”

At that first job, the company culture was tense and at times, combative. Unable to form working relationships with their team and lacking support from leadership to change these circumstances, they moved to their second job as a technical writer after two months. Kel found a positive team that welcomed them but soon realized there was not much room for growth.

Kel speaks highly of their current job and coworkers. They have a lot of fun with them and enjoy the memes they all exchange in their Microsoft Teams channels. They finally found the community they were searching for. By staying true to their sense of self, Kel was able to end their “Career Year” off strong.

Consequently, they took their third role as a technical writer in February 2020, which kept them employed during the start of the pandemic. While Kel was grateful to have a job, it wasn’t long after the transition to working from home that the lack of meaningful communication between them and their team became more apparent. “By June, I felt my passion for the work slipping and my quality of work dropping,” they said.

BETA RHO CHAPTER University of Manitoba

Kel recognized from the beginning job-hopping was less than ideal. “It did not look good on mortgage applications,” they joked, “especially when my wife and I were buying our

Andrea Otto Grozli

Andrea Otto Grozli took a professional leap of faith in a literal sense; never did she dream that after 15 years working as a palliative care and long-term care nurse, she would hear the call to become ordained as a Lutheran pastor. A woman of faith, Andrea had already spent a good part of her time involved in various aspects of church administration. She served in multiple roles on the church council, taught Sunday school and took church members to confirmation camp, which takes place before a Feature | Themis Spring 2021

rite of passage in some Christian traditions in which members formally express their commitment to their faith. Her fellow church members took note of her increasing leadership skills over the years and offered Andrea’s name several times during the seminary recruitment drive. Andrea was satisfied with her nursing career and level of involvement in the church until one night, while sleeping in her bed at confirmation camp in 2014, she heard the voice of God call out to her to become a pastor. After discussing her epiphany with the pastor there, she returned home and shared the news with her husband, who was supportive of his wife’s calling. They planned out lifestyle changes ranging from selling their first home to reassessing their retirement plans so she could pursue this goal. When Andrea announced her plans to her family, some understood her decision, and others could not fathom why she would make such a drastic career change. “I felt at peace with my decision,” Andrea said. “I believed this was where I needed to go.”

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Andrea began the year-long discernment process to start seminary school in 2015. She had to do a full endorsement process to confirm the call to service was legitimate. She underwent psychological evaluations and interviews and collected references from her pastor, nursing professors and her best friend. With the changes her family made and help from a ZTA scholarship, she quit her job as a nurse in the fall of 2016 and started full-time seminary in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a 10-hour drive from home. After the first intensive course was complete, she knew she had made the right decision. She experienced a formative moment during a stint in a long-term care facility she took to augment her funds for the last part of seminary. “I saw a man suffering, and I knew from my seminary training that he was experiencing spiritual distress,” Andrea recalled. “So I asked if I could pray with him.” That simple act gave him spiritual peace. She began caring not only for the body but also for the spirit.

Andrea will officially become an ordained pastor by the end of 2021. She’s looking forward to meeting new people and sharing the word of God in her new career. Had Andrea not listened to her calling, she would have missed out on a journey that allows her to make a new kind of impact on peoples’ lives. That leap of faith made all the difference.

Betsy Bishop Gill

DELTA DELTA CHAPTER Baldwin Wallace University Sometimes, career shifts are less “leaps of faith” than they are a result of a sudden new reality. A multiple sclerosis diagnosis led Betsy Bishop Gill to change gears from being a passionate career development advisor in higher education to becoming a graphic designer making a difference in her local community. Working as a resident assistant and being involved in student affairs at her undergraduate institution led Betsy to pursue a master’s degree in higher education. While earning her master’s degree, she found meaning in being able to help students explore careers they wanted to

pursue and guiding students to gain the confidence they needed to be marketable to employers. Upon her graduation and just at the beginning of her career, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease effecting the spine and brain.

“In almost every job I’d had up to that point, I found myself doing creative work,” Betsy said. “The software I was learning about in the graphic design courses made me feel empowered, like I really could make the leap to a new profession.”

For 10 years, her MS was largely invisible, and she pursued higher education roles at high-pressure institutions such as Northwestern University and Loyola University Chicago. But as the years went by, she began to experience more symptoms she could neither hide nor ignore.

Now motivated and equipped with the skills to do graphic design, she opened an Etsy shop to sell her artwork. As she started selling more and more prints from her own online store, she got to know the owner of a local print shop, who hired her as the shop’s graphic designer.

As her symptoms continued to progress, she used therapy and treatments to manage them, but she found it increasingly difficult to travel across campus with increased mobility and fatigue issues. Thinking about her future beyond career counseling, Betsy decided to take advantage of the graphic design courses offered at the community college where she was working part time. She decided it was time to seek out another career path that involved doing what made her happy and made sense long term with her medical condition.

Today, Betsy enjoys making a difference in the community she lives in and getting to know neighbors through art. In addition to working part time at the print shop and running her business, she volunteers her talents with the Berrien Artists’ Guild/Box Factory for the Arts in St. Joseph, Michigan. Through her professional journey, she’s realized that even though she’s no longer counseling students, her impact in her new field is just as meaningful.

Allyson Piatt

LAMBDA XI CHAPTER Seton Hall University Allyson Piatt’s unexpected professional turn took her from a job in Kansas City, Kansas, to Charlotte, North Carolina, all in the midst of a pandemic. A lifelong fan of sports, Allyson garnered an impressive resume in public relations interning for teams such as the Yankees, Rangers and Penguins before graduating in 2017. She also gained a lot of experience working for her university’s public relations team. All of her hard work resulted in a job as social media coordinator for Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas, right out of college. In October 2019, her company, which owned Kansas Speedway and other tracks throughout the U.S., merged with NASCAR. By then, she had already moved up to a management role within the company. In February 2020, just as COVID-19 was becoming more prominent in the U.S., NASCAR asked her to continue as part of its national track marketing team. Feature | Themis Spring 2021

The catch? She would have to move to its headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina. Allyson had already experienced what it was like to move to a city alone. “The first people I met in Kansas City were the members of the Greater Kansas City, MO Alumnae Chapter, and they became my first friends there,” she explained. Another comfort for her was that some of the friends and connections she made in her first job also took advantage of opportunities within NASCAR. She had a community that could share in all the logistics of a major move. Reluctant to leave her old job behind, but with this incredible opportunity in hand, Allyson drove with her dog, Charlie, to their new home at the beginning of May 2020. “We only stopped two or three times that whole trip,” Allyson recounted. “With the pandemic in full swing, nothing was open when I got to Charlotte.” Like with her move to Kansas City, she found support in her new home in North Carolina through ZTA. A few months after her arrival in Charlotte, she received an Instagram message from the Lake Norman, NC Alumnae Chapter inviting her to their kickoff event. “It’s been really incredible to have that support as I’ve constantly moved around to cities where I know absolutely no one,” she laughed. While leaving the familiar was hard, being able to connect with Zetas and build a network so quickly made the transition easier. “It was a leap of faith,” she said about having to move from her previous job to her new one. Even so, Allyson loves her current team; despite being in a male-dominated industry, her female colleagues outnumber her male colleagues. “I support four directors, and three of them are women,” Allyson noted. “It’s been an incredible experience to be able to get on a Zoom call and relate about things that uniquely affect women.”

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She’s also found that NASCAR is particularly understanding about life events, such as vet appointments. By taking a chance and being open to change, Allyson found a supportive network of colleagues and sisters.

Courtney Becker McGuire

DELTA LAMBDA CHAPTER Georgia State University

When she was offered her first job as a database administrator with IBM, Courtney Becker McGuire didn’t expect to be laid off from the IT industry only four years later, when the software she was certified in became obsolete. “It was a hard pill to swallow,” Courtney said. “But you don’t have control over when that happens. Having just gotten married and bought a home, I knew I had to get out there.” For the next nine years, Courtney worked in various roles in different companies as an administrative assistant or a sales operations specialist. Through these positions, she mastered juggling multiple tasks, a skill she also credits ZTA with teaching her in college. Knowing that at some point she wanted to reenter IT, she researched her options based on her talents and her passions in business. She was introduced to an application called Salesforce, and with the support of her company, she earned her first certification with the platform. Working in a male-dominated field, Courtney encountered struggles on her way to her current role. A pivotal moment occurred when she approached her company about adjusting her title to appropriately reflect her position and knowledge. “They dragged their feet,” Courtney said. “I took it as being passed over for a promotion.” It was this experience that told her to move on to other roles. Over the years, she acquired more experience and Salesforce certifications, which led

her current company to approach her about her current role as a senior Salesforce.com consultant. Despite facing challenges, she persevered. Having lived with epilepsy since she was a teenager, Courtney often had to make academic and career changes, such as transferring schools, to be closer to doctors and family for support. One of the lessons she learned through her journey with epilepsy is to be an advocate for herself, and she applies that lesson to her professional life as well. “Be strong and find your voice,” she noted. “When you get a seat at the table, use it.” Following that advice led her to succeed in roles, most notably in having an application she designed be demoed in front of her company’s board of directors. She credits her ZTA sisters with reminding her of her worth when she struggled with being valued. Through her eagerness to learn and improve, Courtney was able to return to the field that she loves. Her favorite quote embodies her story well: “Do something today that reflects who you are, what you are capable of, what you care about. Give yourself plenty of evidence of what you can do, and you will not doubt your abilities to do anything.” – David Niven, Ph.D.

Cambrey Jordan Little

ZETA PSI CHAPTER Jacksonville State University

The journey to the top can be full of surprises. At the beginning of 2020, Cambrey Jordan Little was the vice president of sales at a health empowerment company. By the end of the year, she was chief growth officer at an artificial intelligencebased behavior change platform. Cambrey wasn’t looking for a change last January. “I was really happy in my career,” she said. “I loved the team I was with. We had a lot of momentum

coming into that year. Of course, we never could have predicted what the next 12 months would look like.” The pandemic brought on a lot of changes, such as not being able to go to trade shows or visit clients. The acquisition of the company early in the year also increased feelings of uncertainty and fear; but ever levelheaded and career-minded, Cambrey knew that the best course of action was to wait, assess the circumstances, and make a move when it felt right. It was through a ZTA sister that Cambrey met the connection who led her to her current role. A sister introduced Cambrey to a high school friend a few years previously, and they stayed in touch over the years. When her contact approached her with the job opportunity in October 2020, Cambrey took advantage of it and applied. She credits both her work experience in health care systems sales and the fact that she was a culture fit for the company with making her stand out in the applicant pool. Her experience with sorority recruitment

also helped her in interviews with the individual members of the company’s executive team. “There’s something to be said for going through Primary Recruitment,” Cambrey said. “You learn how to interview, and you learn how to interview other people. It’s a two-way conversation.”

teams with a strong focus in clientfacing endeavors—and finding new opportunities for the business to grow through strategic partnerships and company impact. “I’m having a blast,” Cambrey said. “It’s challenging as a big role, but I get to work with some really smart people.”

ZTA helped her develop a lot of the groundwork for her philosophy as a leader. “I learned how to meet people where they were,” she explained. As VP of Activities in college, a role similar to VP I/Coordinator of Committees, she was responsible for coordinating events. During this time she learned the importance of getting to know her team, building trust and developing a good rapport with them. “It makes me a better leader and shows my colleagues that I am invested in them as people,” she said.

Looking back on the past year, Cambrey is grateful for the way her career looks now. “All of my past experiences—pandemic included— led me to where I am now,” she said. “There were times where my coworkers didn’t take me seriously; my best advice is to keep on going, be your own model and blaze your own trail.”

These skills are necessary in her role as chief growth officer, which involves overseeing a team of individuals who contribute to the financial and organizational growth of the company. Her responsibilities include running the sales, client success and marketing teams—all

Progress isn’t always linear, and careers don’t always follow a straight trajectory. When faced with an unexpected career change, it’s important to remember that what feels like a setback or a total change in direction might actually open the door to new opportunities.

Feature | Themis Spring 2021

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CELEBRATING THE UNIQUENESS EACH SISTER BRINGS By Hailey Mangrum, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Manager

As part of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategic Plan announced in September 2020, ZTA implemented an intentional, ongoing content strategy for celebrating members on public social media platforms, which includes highlighting the diversity of backgrounds and identities within its membership. The social media posts serve two purposes: • To empower members whose salient identities may be underrepresented to feel a stronger sense of belonging and support • To educate ZTA’s members and followers active on social media about cultures, religions and experiences different from their own In striving to foster a deeper feeling of sisterhood and strengthen Belonging for every member, the Fraternity recognizes how important

it is for sisters to feel celebrated in all facets of their identity. All members have different backgrounds, experiences, and knowledge and deserve to feel empowered, seen and heard. Likewise, sisters should show appreciation for others’ cultures by honoring and respecting their traditions, celebrations, and practices to gain knowledge and a broader understanding of the world.

“partner” vs. “boyfriend/husband”) helps members feel that sense of belonging. Think about how Zetas’ and community members’ identities might factor into attendance and participation. Embedding inclusive practices into normative behaviors is an important aspect of the commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

To seek deeper understanding, having surface-level conversations isn’t enough. ZTA recognizes diversity, equity and inclusion work is a journey and encourages frequent engagement in genuine conversations surrounding difference and understanding. These posts are a starting point for fostering belonging and stronger feelings of support, increasing cultural awareness, and sparking meaningful conversations that lead to intentional acts of inclusion.

Representation and visibility matter for cultures beyond the majority demographic within the Fraternity. ZTA’s social media strategy aims to provide a space for sisters to share their authentic selves and highlight how the Fraternity is part of their personal stories. As we continue to expand and broaden our reach, please submit your ZTA story through the website or by emailing zetataualpha@zetataualpha.org. Remember to follow ZTA on social media to learn more about our sisters.

TURNING TALK INTO ACTION Implementing newfound knowledge is as important as having the deep conversations. In ZTA, this could look like ensuring chapter events don’t conflict with major religious holidays or cultural celebrations. Using gender-inclusive language (e.g.,

SHARE YOUR STORY

STRAWBERRIES FOR THOUGHT • When did you first feel like you belonged in ZTA? Do you still feel that way? Why or why not? • Does your chapter calendar take cultural and religious celebrations into consideration? • How can you celebrate and show appreciation for cultures and identities other than your own?

Shared language Belonging is one of the Five Areas of Sisterhood measured in the annual Membership Survey collegians take. In ZTA’s definition of belonging, members feel a sense of connection that goes beyond friendship, refer to sorority sisters as family, and describe the chapter as “a home away from home.” Seeking Understanding | Themis Spring 2021

CHAPTERS REINVENT FUNDRAISERS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC By Christy Marx Barber, Staff Writer

In a year when many treasured traditions couldn’t happen, chapters still found ways to provide treasured support to the ZTA Foundation in 2020, including raising awareness of Zeta Tau Alpha’s philanthropy and funds for scholarships. Undeterred by the restrictions of the pandemic, collegiate and alumnae chapters reinvented in-person events, tried new ideas and found greater success from traditional fundraising projects. “You can call it a pivot, a shift or a change,” said ZTA Foundation President Carolyn Hof Carpenter, “but whatever you call it, our chapters were determined to be true to themselves and ‘to those within and without our circle.’ Their commitment to helping the Foundation achieve its mission did not waver.”

Walks and runs are fundraising favorites for collegiate chapters. When large group gatherings weren’t possible on their campuses last fall, Beta Gamma Chapter (Florida State University) and Eta Xi Chapter (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University) were able to raise more than $44,000 each using online resources. Beta Gamma created a website where runners could submit their “Race to Live” 5K running times throughout the month of October. In converting its Think Pink® 5K to a virtual “awareness walk,” Eta Xi used an app called Stridekick that organized participants into teams and kept track of distances over a threeday period. “We were so thankful to have this opportunity because we were able to expand our fundraiser with families and friends being able to participle

from anywhere,” said Eta Xi former Vice President IV/Philanthropy, Fundraising and Service Madi Becker. “We will keep the virtual aspect of the walk even when we can have an inperson event again on campus.” Both events received income from entry fees, T-shirt sales, local business sponsorships and online donations through the chapters’ CrowdChange fundraising websites ZTA supplies for all collegiate chapters. The sites also allow each member to set up a personal fundraising page and provide a donation link for family and friends. Alpha Eta Chapter (University of Cincinnati) turned its “Crown Classic” flag football tournament into a virtual “Punt, Pass and Kick” competition. Teams of sorority and fraternity members submitted videos of their members punting, passing and kicking a standard football. They submitted their distances, and Alpha Eta converted those into points added

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Alpha Eta Chapter’s event T-shirts for its “Punt, Pass, Kick” tournament; an example bingo card from Kappa Lambda Chapter’s fundraiser; the logo on Eta Xi Chapter’s virtual Think Pink® Awareness Walk T-shirts 28 Themis Spring 2021 | ZTA Foundation News

LEFT: An example of the letters from Santa the Columbus, OH Alumnae Chapter sells during its annual fundraiser RIGHT: The pin the Silicon Valley, CA Alumnae Chapter sold as a new fundraiser in 2020

to the teams’ monetary donations. The winning teams received $50 gift cards, and the chapter raised $7,000 from the competition, raffles and donations. On a smaller campus, Kappa Lambda Chapter (University of Wisconsin Oshkosh) used social media to maximize donations. Each member posted an image of a Think Pink® bingo card on her social media platforms. Each space on the card was worth $1 or $2 for a total of $36 per card. The goal was for each member to raise $36 through small donations. As they received donations on their personal CrowdChange pages, members updated their cards, replacing the dollar amount in the square with the donor’s name. “Some members were updating their cards five or more times a day,” said former Director of Philanthropy Alyssa Hagen. “One member was able to fill more than nine bingo cards!” In all, 99 donors helped the chapter raise $1,900. A 15-year fundraising tradition proved even more profitable in 2020 for the Columbus, OH Alumnae Chapter. Their “Letters from Santa” were a big hit in a year when many families didn’t take their children to

see the jolly old elf. The chapter sold 991 letters for $5 each, up from 660 letters in 2019. The chapter coordinates with childcare centers and preschools every year to sell personalized letters that include the child’s name, age, school, friends, pets and gift requests. Chapter members write the templates and proofread each completed letter. Zetas also make sure siblings receive different versions of the letter and every envelope gets a spoonful of “magic snow.” This year, the members stuffed the letters into red and green envelopes during a socially distanced sisterhood event before shipping them to Alaska at the end of November for mailing with the North Pole postmark. After expenses, the Columbus Zetas made $3 per letter for ZTA Foundation Recognition Scholarships. The Silicon Valley, CA Alumnae Chapter tried a new fundraising tactic—using the popularity of collectible ZTA pins. They sent enamel Think Pink® pins to donors who gave $15 or more. The pins both raised funds for scholarships and raised awareness. “We loved sharing the pins with sisters outside of our area,” said chapter Fundraising Chair and District President XIX-B Andrea Warner Molinari. One donor purchased a pin for a friend who was a breast cancer survivor and then received a diagnosis herself before the pin arrived. “The 1 in 8 numbers don’t lie,” said Andrea. “It was really touching to hear from a sister so early in her fight against breast cancer. It was a strong reminder of why our philanthropy means so much to all of us.”

SMALL EFFORTS, BIG RESULTS ZTA chapters have used these techniques to supplement their larger events. Using a chapter-specific scholarship fundraising link created by the ZTA Foundation so both individual members and the chapter receive credit for the donation Asking alumnae to “donate their age” to the chapter’s scholarship fund Utilizing matching gift options for employers—the ZTA Foundation can provide the tax information necessary to facilitate this donation. Scheduling profit-share opportunities with local businesses—Kendra Scott, through their Kendra Cares program, donates 20% percent of sales for both in-person and online purchases in a specific time frame. Local restaurants also offer similar opportunities. Selling ZTA and Think Pink® merchandise like T-shirts, water bottles, masks, hats and pins—remember to use vendors who are approved Greek Licensing companies. Asking collegians to send letters or emails to their families and friends with a request to donate to the chapter’s fundraising efforts via a personal CrowdChange link Gathering merchandise and gift cards from local stores to create baskets and then selling raffle ticket chances (This is a particularly popular fundraiser for parent events.)

Noble

A c h i e ve m e nt s As Zeta Tau Alpha’s mission states, the Fraternity “emphasizes leadership development, service to others, academic achievement and personal growth for women.” It comes as no surprise, then, that our members are doing amazing things within ZTA and in their communities. From earning recognition for professional success and outstanding volunteerism to helping improve the lives of others around the world, these members are making ZTA proud. Do you know a ZTA collegian or alumna who should be featured? Submit her name and her accomplishments through the Themis Story Submission form at bit.ly/ThemisStories. *denotes alumna

Kelly Crabtree

Upsilon Chapter University of California, Berkeley Kelly is a senior double majoring in political science and legal studies. Over the past four years, she has been involved in efforts to prevent sexual harassment and violence. She’s served on the PATH to Care Center’s Student Advisory Board, Greeks Against Sexual Assault, and the Restorative Justice Task Force. This past January, she drew from her experience in these groups to speak about the efficacy

of preventative and peer education at a conference about sexual harassment in education. Kelly has held three research positions in college and is currently writing an honors thesis in comparative political economy. She is also in the process of co-founding a legal tech startup that will help bridge inequality in legal access.

Hannah DeBlock Gamma Chi Chapter Indiana State University

Hannah spent over 250 hours at OSF Holy Family

*Kinli Bare Abee Theta Zeta Chapter Wofford College

“Columbia Business Monthly” named Kinli, an assistant attorney general-special victims prosecutor, as one of its “Best & Brightest 35 and Under” in 2020. She secured the first human trafficking conviction under South Carolina law in 2015. Kinli strives to help people who have experienced the unimaginable navigate the justice system with as much ease as possible. 30 Themis Spring 2021 | Noble Achievements

*Dana Cain Farr Omicron Chapter Brenau University

Georgia Public Broadcasting Education selected Dana as a PBS Digital Innovator All-Star in 2020. She is one of 19 educators in the country to receive this distinction. The PBS Digital Innovator All-Star Program recognizes educators who use media and digital technology in their learning environments and teach students responsible and effective ways to use them. The two-year program includes a summit and personal and professional growth opportunities. Dana oversaw East Hall Middle School’s virtual reality lab and co-sponsored the broadcast club. She is currently a high school media specialist.

Medical Center as a COVID-19 volunteer screener. Each day, she would relieve stress from overworked hospital staff by taking patients’ temperatures and asking them a series of questions before allowing them to enter to the hospital. As a health administrator major, she is thankful for the experience and ability to learn more about infectious disease protocol and hospital operations. Her experience also led her to a connection with the vice president and an internship offer for next year from the hospital.

*Gina Arquilla DeBoni Alpha Omicron Chapter The University of Iowa

Gina received the Elmer Gertz Human Rights Award in August 2020 for her work on legal cases and legislative advocacy that advance human rights on the state and national levels. She is a managing partner at Romanucci & Blandin LLC. Her work to end sex

trafficking includes taking an active role in a national public affairs campaign that put pressure on companies like Google and Facebook that initially opposed content regulation legislation. Gina also sent personal letters to Illinois’ senators in support of the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act, which swayed big tech companies to support the proposed content regulation laws. Her work also led to the signing of the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act and the FBI’s indictment of owners of a sex trafficking website.

*Kimberly Jones French Psi Chapter University of Washington

Kimberly was elected president of Junior League of Seattle for 2020-2021. The Junior League of Seattle offers women the opportunity to cultivate their leadership abilities by providing handson leadership development

training and volunteer opportunities. Kimberly enjoys leading a nonprofit focused on promoting the well-being of women, children and families throughout the greater Seattle area by addressing issues of children’s literacy and training the next generation of women civic leaders.

*Mackenzy Martin Hinds

Eta Alpha Chapter Georgia Southwestern State University Mackenzy teaches second grade students virtually from a former car dealership repurposed as a virtual school, Baldwin County Virtual Elementary School. It is the largest Alabama school, with a starting enrollment

Grace Girdler

Alpha Gamma Chapter University of Michigan Grace is majoring in computer science and minoring in business. After attending the highly selective leadership conference with the consumer goods corporation Procter & Gamble in the summer of 2020, she was offered an IT internship with P&G for the summer of 2021. At the P&G Standout Emerging Leaders Camp, she had the opportunity to learn about P&G’s values, global impact and various roles within the IT department. She also had the privilege of attending presentations given by the CEO, CIO and other executives. Noble Achievements | Themis Spring 2021

*Nicole Muñoz Huschka Lambda Gamma Chapter The University of Texas at San Antonio

Nicole is a commercial litigator in Dallas, Texas. “D Magazine” named Nicole one of the “Best Lawyers Under 40” in 2021. “Texas Monthly” has also named her one of its “Texas Rising Stars” since 2019. Her other honors include: Rising Raggio Award recipient, Dallas Women Lawyers Association (2019), La Estrella Award recipient, Dallas Hispanic Bar Association (2016), and Collins Clerk, Dallas Bar Foundation (2014). She is currently the vice president of the Dallas Association of Young Lawyers (DAYL) and is the chair of the annual DAYL Bolton Ball charity gala.

of around 8,000 students between kindergarten and sixth grade. This past November, News WKRG 5 in Daphne, Alabama, named her as a Golden Apple Teacher. The reporting team presented the award to her in the school parking lot as some of her students watched via Zoom. Her nominator, a previous Golden Apple Teacher recipient, describes her as “a born leader” for virtual education. Mackenzy has been teaching for five years.

that works with clients such as BMW, Michelin, Le Creuset, Wells Fargo and other prominent companies. Her duties included creating content and social media strategies as well as influencer marketing and media planning. Although most of her internship was remote, she did enjoy the opportunity to connect with the team, and she is grateful for the opportunity to learn about advertising and public relations.

Carson Hungerford

*Samanaz Kapadia

Carson completed a social influence internship during the summer of 2020 at FerebeeLane, a communications agency

In addition to being director of programming and logistics at FOX Sports, Samanaz is the co-chair of the FOX Sports Inclusion Council

Delta Psi Chapter Samford University

Theta Phi Chapter California State University, Fullerton

32 Themis Spring 2021 | Noble Achievements

for 2021. The council looks for ways to make diversity, equity and inclusion the way of doing business. In addition to launching “Zoom Office Hours,” which brings together coworkers in a virtual environment, the Council created the new show “FOX Sports Voices,” which spotlights athletes who use their platform to improve their communities.

*Jennifer Astete Lewis

Eta Tau Chapter The University of North Carolina at Charlotte Jennifer is the assistant director of compliance and ethics at The University of Southern Mississippi. Last September, the U.S. White House presented Jennifer with the prestigious President’s Volunteer Service Award. The award honors individuals whose service impacts their communities. She volunteers at the

university’s Eagle’s Nest Food Pantry, Southern Pines Animal Shelter, Hub City Humane Society and the Mylo Foundation. She also serves as the vice president of community service for Sigma Alpha Lambda, a national honor society. The Sigma Alpha Lambda chapter at the university nominated Jennifer in July of last year.

*Karen Kelly Machuca

Zeta Nu Chapter Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania Each year, the New Jersey Association for Gifted Children recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions in the field of gifted education and to honor distinguished students. Karen received the NJAGC Administrator of the

Year award for 2020. She has over 20 years of experience in early childhood, elementary and middle school settings in both private and public institutions, 10 of which she has spent as a principal. For the past seven years, she has supervised the daily operations and education of the Gifted and Talented program for students in

grades one through five for math, science and STEM in addition to the district’s early childhood preschool program. She is an active board member of the NJAGC, a member of the NAGC, the programming options chair for the NJ DOE Strengthening Gifted and Talented Education Act Committee, and a member of the Essex County Steering Committee for Gifted and Talented Education.

Emmaline Miller Delta Kappa Chapter Louisiana State University

*Kaitlyn Marut Zeta Lambda Chapter Rider University

Kaitlyn is a people development student associate for Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. She contributes to a culture of compliance by evaluating and creating company-wide compliance training content and creates, designs and implements curated curriculum modules for company-wide orientation. Kaitlyn also serves as a member of the Chief Administrative Officer Diversity Advisory Committee, where she helps contribute to diversity and inclusion initiatives. She intends to start law school in fall 2021, studying corporate and employment law.

Emmaline has been working with the LSU chemical engineering department on breast cancer research. They are studying the way that triple-negative breast cancer cells communicate with each other. Emmaline designed a device that assesses communication between cells. The goal is to look at long-term culturing (two weeks), and the device allows the team to look at the cells every six to 12 hours. Their observations will give a clearer picture of changing concentrations and if the cells initially indicate one pattern that changes later. These observations will serve as the basis for future studies and cancer therapies.

Ashley Nastasi Iota Omega Chapter University of Maryland

Ashley started her own business specializing in pod learning services last summer. The business provides groups of three to four students with an instructor to assist them with online distance learning. Instructors lead students through a school day, helping

*Keri Rogers Mize Delta Eta Chapter West Texas A&M University

Keri was elected 20202021 board president for Court Appointed Special Advocates of Walker, San Jacinto and Trinity counties. CASA provides trained, court-appointed volunteer advocacy to every abused and neglected child in the custody of the county’s Child Protective Services department. She is passionate about caring for children in the foster system and has been involved with foster care organizations and initiatives for many years. She has been on the board of directors for Education Reach for Texans, the state program that supports foster youth getting to and through college, since 2013. In 2008, she co-founded the FORWARD program at Sam Houston State University, which supports foster youth finishing their degrees.

Noble Achievements | Themis Spring 2021

them log onto their online classes, assisting them with their prerecorded classes, offering homework support and leading them in a physical activity. Ashley has been able to help many working families in her community with this service, and she says it has been such a rewarding experience.

*Josie Olsvig

Eta Pi Chapter Wright State University Josie is a retired lawyer and social worker from Dayton, Ohio, who specialized in

child abuse, sexual offenses and domestic violence for over three decades. She is a member of the U.S. Supreme Court Bar and has three other bar admissions. She now is a low country writer who focuses on the Gullah culture (descendants of enslaved West Africans), the history of the Deep South, race-based slavery and its lingering effects. She published two books about these topics in 2020 and has spoken nationally and internationally about her research. She spent six years writing her debut

historical fiction novel, which is currently being adapted into a miniseries. This first novel is a part of a trilogy of three; the next book will focus on the Civil War and Reconstruction.

*Priscilla Simms-Roberson

Zeta Chapter University of Tennessee, Knoxville University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Assistant Professor of Nursing Priscilla Simms-Roberson, DNP, APRN, NP-C, SANE-A is one of five people in the state of Tennessee to receive the Harold Love Outstanding Community Service Award for being an ambassador for community service in the state’s higher education community. Since 2005, she has practiced forensic nursing, providing forensic medical exams to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. In 2017, she developed the first domestic violence examiner program in the state. She has also presented forensic nursing research on national and international platforms. She currently serves on the board of directors for the newly developed Tennessee chapter of International Association of Forensic Nurses.

Alex Seamon

Delta Delta Chapter Baldwin Wallace University Alex started interning at US Together last October to learn more about refugee and immigration policy as well as how it affects both individual refugees and immigrants and the Cleveland community. She organizes donations, creates social media content, tutors refugee youth and more. Her goal is to be part of the support system that helps immigrants and refugees build lives in the U.S.

Kate Ruberti Eta Zeta Chapter Elon University

Kate completed a public relations internship with SiriusXM and one of its subsidiaries, Pandora, last fall. She assisted in implementing publicity strategies for SiriusXM’s programming and products. She has been selected for membership to two honor societies in 2021: Omicron Delta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi. Kate has also secured an integrated marketing internship with ViacomCBS for summer 2021. 34 Themis Spring 2021 | Noble Achievements

*Katherine Sprung Eta Kappa Chapter University of Central Florida

Katherine appeared on the season two premiere of “Chopped Sweets,” a dessert-themed cooking competition on Food Network. Over the course of the “Magical Mashups” episode, she made a raspberry-tamarillo cheesecake spring roll in the first (“Fried”) round, a vanilla and blood orange cake with cookie dough buttercream frosting in the second (“Baked”) round, and a pickle-brownie cookie and plum ice cream baked Alaska in the third (“Frozen”) round. She won the competition this episode and received $10,000. Katherine also owns a small batch, handcrafted marshmallow company in New York City.

*Katie Stagliano Eta Lambda Chapter College of Charleston

After growing a 40-pound cabbage when she was nine, Katie established her own nonprofit organization comprising youth-run vegetable gardens all over the country to help feed the hungry. At the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, Katie and her team served over 18,000 meals via weekly drive-thru meal distributions. In addition to those meals, they distributed toothbrushes, toothpaste, fresh produce, wipes and coloring books for children. The nonprofit also provided 75 allinclusive grower boxes with everything youth gardeners needed to start a garden in their backyards. The produce from each garden goes to youth across the United States. There are

now well over 100 youthrun gardens across the United States and Africa, where the produce is donated to those struggling with hunger and food insecurity.

*Courtney Vasil Iota Alpha Chapter Robert Morris University

After graduating with both her master’s and bachelor’s degrees this past December, Courtney accepted a fulltime position with The National Cyber-Forensics & Training Alliance as an intelligence analyst. The NCFTA is a nonprofit corporation that focuses on preventing and addressing cybercrime threats to the financial industry.

While in college, she interned with the Department of Justice and continues to work with law enforcement and private industry in her current role. Courtney appreciates all the love and unconditional support from her Iota Alpha sisters and her family and friends that helped her reach her goals.

Noble Achievements | Themis Spring 2021

36 Themis Spring 2021 | Points of Pride

THEMIS READER’S GUIDE Themis of Zeta Tau Alpha, the official publication of the Fraternity, has been published continuously since 1903. HOW TO MAKE AN ADDRESS CHANGE Go to sistersonly.zetataualpha.org and update your information. You may also email changes to zetataualpha@zetataualpha.org (subject: Address Change) or call IO at (317) 872–0540.

Parents: While your daughter is in college, her magazine is sent to her home address. If she is not living at home, please send in her new address.

HOW TO SUBMIT NEWS Send all news and photos to the Communication Department by emailing news@zetataualpha.org or through bit.ly/ThemisStories. All submissions become the property of ZTA and are subject to editing. Include full names and chapter(s). Photos must be 1 MB (1,024 KB) or larger to be printed. HOW TO SUBMIT TO THE ARCHIVES Have something to contribute to the archives? Email Patti Cords Levitte (patti-levitte@zetataualpha.org).

Themis of Zeta Tau Alpha (ISSN 1529-6709); (USPS 627-120) is published quarterly by Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity, 1036 S. Rangeline Road, Carmel, IN 46032. Subscription: $2 per year. Single copies: $0.50. Periodical postage paid in Carmel, Indiana, and additional mailing offices. Printed in the United States of America. Postmaster: Send address changes to Themis of Zeta Tau Alpha, 1036 S. Rangeline Road, Carmel, IN 46032.

9 [1] Members of Theta Psi Chapter (Texas State University) at Crown Ball 1982

10 [6] Delta Omega Chapter (Westminster College) sisters at spring formal in 2012

[2] Tau Chapter (Millikin University) members at spring formal in 1977

[7] Members of Eta Gamma Chapter (West Chester University of Pennsylvania) at spring formal in 1992

[3] Members of Alpha Omicron Chapter (The University of Iowa) at spring formal in 1986

[8] Members of Eta Zeta Chapter (Elon University) dressed for a formal in 1988

[4] A vice president and the President of Iota Psi Chapter (Rochester Institute of Technology) at Convention 1992 in Atlanta

[9] Delta Zeta Chapter (Sam Houston State University) members at a fall formal in 1987

[5] Gamma Omicron Chapter (Central Michigan University) members at winter formal in 1980

[10] Delta Nu Chapter (The University of New Orleans) members at White Violet Formal in 1992

Member, Fraternity Communications Association and National Panhellenic Conference © 2021 Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of Zeta Tau Alpha.

1036 S. Rangeline Road Carmel, IN 46032 zetataualpha.org

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