There is a quote that comes to mind when reflecting on my contributions to the University of Cincinnati, the Greek community, and my chapter. “There is a difference between interest and commitment. When you are interested in doing something, you do it only when circumstances permit. When you are committed to something you accept no excuses only results”. One of my major contributions is that I have dedicated a majority of my efforts here at the university to the success of first year students by being a Resident Advisor as well as a Peer Leader. We owe it to our new students to help instill the legacy and desire that we hope to see them develop while supporting their endeavors, ideas, and passions. I find myself being a ready source of information and it takes an entire university to make successful first year students. My biggest contribution has been my commitment. I am here for the students when they first arrive at the university; I help them build memories, relationships, and experiences through my involvement with my organizations which will nurture the embodiment of them becoming great future alumni.

While serving as the Vice President of Finance I made it a personal goal of mine to secure the financial health of our chapter. I wanted to ensure that we could continue to accommodate and educate our members about their obligations to our organization. I made it a priority to present the first financial module during one of our chapter meetings. It opened the line of communication between the VPF and chapter members that had been lost during previous years. As a direct result of my efforts I am also proud to say that we have fewer individuals in bad standings regarding their finances than ever before. I was recently selected to serve at the Chapter Collegiate President and I have already made great strides in my office. In order to clarify board member responsibilities I am in the process of creating our Standards Committee’s first annual retreat. To avoid officer burnout I am planning a luncheon to reward them for their hard work and commitment to our chapter. I am ensuring that all officers are adhering to their job aids more efficiently and thoroughly, while concurrently boosting chapter morale. But, most importantly my goal is to make the Chapter President role more transparent and less intimidating. I am actively working on creating a forum where our members can talk to me about their concerns regardless of their status or position in the chapter. Growing up I was always told, “those who can, give back.” I have made it a point in my life to try to give back to my community in any way I can. I believe that service is a testament of someone’s true character.

My mother always told me something very special that still resonates with me today. She said, “You may not remember what someone has said to you but, you will always remember how they made you feel”. A Tri Delta understands the impact and responsibility she has to her community and to people on a personal level. I have worked diligently to create a name for myself here at the University of Cincinnati, not because I have to, but because I want to. All the positions that I have managed to acquire during my time at UC thus far are to serve the student body, the Greek community, and my chapter. I have reaped many benefits from being highly involved but I don’t do these jobs or participate in these organizations for the glory or directly for myself. I do them because I want to make this university better for the students that will come after me. This year I am a Peer Leader, a Resident Advisor, an Honors student, a member of the Program and Activities Council, a member of the Student Alumni Council, former Vice President of Finance of my chapter and currently serving as the Chapter Collegiate President. I take my jobs very seriously because I understand the impact I have to a number of students on campus and in our community.

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I had the rare opportunity to represent my chapter in Dallas, Texas at Delta Delta Delta’s Collegiate Leadership Conference. I was able to network with other Collegiate Chapter Presidents while attending workshops to improve my leadership abilities. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is Delta Delta Delta's national philanthropy. As an entire organization we gathered into a ballroom for our "St. Jude Tailgate". We were going to have a former St. Jude patient come and talk to us and tell us about his experience at the hospital. Ingram Dismuke, 5 years old, walked on stage with his two sisters and parents. The first to step up the podium was Ingram’s 10 year old sister, Lindsey. She was the oldest of the three children and spoke so eloquently. She looked at all of us and told us our new statistics for reaching our goal of $15 million in 5 years. In the 2012-2013 academic year alone Tri Delta nationally raised over $4.6 million. Of the 26 Panhellenic sororities collectively we all raised $13.1 million and Tri Delta accounted for 25% of that total alone. My mouth dropped with astonishment. We were projected to surpass our goal and raise $15 million in 4 years. Lindsey continued to speak. She told us about her brother’s fight with cancer and then paused. She looked down and looked back up and told us that she wanted to be a Tri Delta when she grew up because we helped save her brother’s life. There was not a dry eye in the room. Every woman in that ballroom stood up and began clapping for Lindsey. Her father then came to the podium and continued to tell us how much of an impact we are having on this hospital. He told us that he would be honored to have his daughters join this organization when they enter college. I was filled with emotion. I was being told by a father that I had never met that he wanted his daughter to be just like me. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. In Tri Delta we have a saying, we think that everyone should have a “St. Jude moment”; A moment where you fall in love with the hospital and find a story that ignites your passion to raise money and awareness for their initiatives. I found my “St. Jude moment” in that ballroom in Dallas.

 

I have been raised to embody the characteristics of someone with good character and leadership qualities. An individual with strong character is an honest person who is not afraid to work hard to do what is best for themselves and others.  They are trusted by their peers and that is why so often you find the individuals with good character leading our organizations, excelling in the classroom, and serving others who need help. An important lesson that I have learned throughout my collegiate career thus far is that it’s not what happens when you are there that matters, it’s what happens when you are not there that speaks highly of the impact you have had.

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I understand the impact I have on my learning community, my residents that live not only on my floor but in the entire building. I understand the impact I have on those in my sorority and those in my organizations. I understand the impact I will have on the new students that enter our community and I am committed to making their experience a positive one. Leadership is not something that is easily obtained or learned; but, an honor that is bestowed on you by your fellow peers. We are here to help each other and serve others; I am honored to be a part of that mission.