Strategies for Cultivating Citizenship and Community Relations
The mission of fraternal organizations and institutions of higher learning includes development of student character and citizenship. Future leaders must understand personal accountability and social responsibility. Higher education has a responsibility to foster democratic citizenship in students (Astin, 1977). Membership in fraternal organizations can provide a unique environmental context for cultivating citizenship, character, and community relations. >>Read full article

The Best of Both Worlds: Finding Balance within Two Cultures
Gallaudet University, in Washington, DC, is a small private institution primarily for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. The campus is a sign language community. The university president is deaf and all undergraduate courses are taught in sign language. Individuals, who are deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing, attend, work, and visit Gallaudet University on a daily basis. It is truly a culture shock for anyone who goes there, whether they are from a deaf or a hearing family. >>Read full article

Fusing Doctoral Study and Fraternal Advising: Lessons Learned
Having a commitment to mentoring students has led to my success as an advisor for the undergraduate chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. When I started graduate study at the institution, the chapter had just initiated its first members after being inactive for a number of years. I observed the disorganization of the undergraduate members and their interactions with the current advisor during that time. The following year, I approached the president of the alumni chapter and expressed my interest in advising the undergraduates. Excited by my interest, he entrusted me with the task. What follows are the lessons I have learned in my tenure. This article provides a personal view on being an effective fraternity advisor, along with strategies one can adopt to support an undergraduate chapter, especially if he/she is similar in age to the undergraduate students, to build a stronger rapport with advisees. >>Read full article

Unpacking My Invisible Suitcase: Skills I Learned to Assist in my Graduate School Journey
There are many experiences and professional/personal relationships which motivate individuals to enter the world of student affairs and more specifically a career as a fraternity/sorority professional. No matter the reason, there is a certain amount of preparedness that catapults someone into the position. As a graduate student coming to the end of my first year in the College Student Affairs Administration Program at the University of Georgia, I realize that if there is one experience I would attribute to my aspirations in student affairs, it would be my time as a traveling staff member for Alpha Chi Omega. All the plane trips, campus visits, alumnae events, chapter meetings, and suitcases led me to graduate school. >>Read full article