Industry Update Provided by NPC

This week

The Duke Chronicle reported the NPC-affiliated Panhellenic community at Duke University announced their decision to disaffiliate from the university to form the Durham Panhellenic Association. The sororities’ decision follows the university’s decision to no longer allow first-year recruitment. NPC issued a formal statement last week detailing the decision with comment from chief executive officer (CEO) Dani Weatherford, which was then picked up in a separate article by The Duke Chronicle.

Last week

CBS News and 60 Minutes aired a feature Sunday, Nov. 28 about the 2019 hazing death of Sam Martinez, a new member of Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) at Washington State University. The piece included comments from Wynn Smiley, CEO of ATO. Additionally, leadership of the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) spoke with CBS for the story, but the NIC interview ultimately was not included in the piece, nor were the perspectives of the parent members of the Anti-Hazing Coalition. The parents had offered to make themselves available for interviews in correspondence with 60 Minutes producers. (Note: NPC has been providing counsel to its member organizations in preparation for this story.)

A University of Nevada at Las Vegas Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity member, Nathan Valencia, died on Nov. 19 after receiving head injuries during a fraternity boxing match, Inside Higher Ed reported. The charity event was held by Kappa Sigma Fraternity and the university said that it is investigating.

ABC News reported on the suspension of Pi Alpha Phi, an Asian-American interest fraternity at Michigan State University, after a member was found dead inside of the fraternity residence. Phat Nguyen, along with three other individuals, were found unconscious when medical services arrived. Nguyen was pronounced dead on the scene. His cause of death is pending the results of a toxicology report and autopsy.

Headquarters Winter Closing

The Fraternity, Theta Foundation, and Fraternity Housing Corporation (FHC) offices will be closed Monday, Dec. 20 through Friday, Dec. 31. The offices will reopen on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022.

#GivingTuesday 2021 Succeeds in Empowering Thetas

The generosity shown by members, families, and friends to Kappa Alpha Theta on #GivingTuesday embodied everything the Theta Forever Fund represents. We are grateful for everyone who made a gift and shared their networks in support of the next generation of Theta leaders. You are spreading the widest influence for good and empowering Thetas to be their best. On #GivingTuesday Theta Foundation received an incredibly generous 655 gifts totaling $188,119 in support of the Theta Forever Fund.

We recognize you care about many worthwhile causes, and we are so appreciative you chose to support Theta Foundation on #GivingTuesday. Thank you for making this year’s #GivingTuesday another soaring success!

Theta Is Hiring

Theta is currently hiring for a project manager in our marketing and communications department. Please encourage any qualified candidates you know to apply.

Workforce Updates

Please join Recruitment Committee Chairman Christine McDonald in welcoming the following members to the recruitment committee:

• Sara Barnard, Alpha Phi/Tulane, recruitment and Panhellenic district director (RPDD) in College District VIII 
• Hannah Smith, Gamma Tau/Tulsa, recruitment specialist 
• Christina Cardone, Zeta Tau/Delaware, recruitment specialist
• Allison Kiolbassa, Upsilon/Minnesota, recruitment specialist 

Join the ThetaConnect QuickStart Mentoring Program

January is National Mentoring Month and Kappa Alpha Theta wants to help our members make important connections through mentoring. We want our members to have the capability to share advice on career help, educational opportunities, and more.

Each week in January, mentors and mentees will complete program milestones on various topics. Mentor and mentees are asked to plan for a minimum of 30 minutes each week to complete that week’s program milestone. The deadline to register is Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022; mentor pairings will take place immediately following and will be announced the first week of January. Read more details about the program and find Instructions on how to join in our blog. Questions? Email thetaconnect@kappaalphatheta.org.

Educational Leadership Consultant (ELC) Program Update

The ELC program has changed this year (learn more in our recent blog). The goal of chapter visits is facilitating leadership and educational programming such as emotionally intelligent leadership, belonging and trust, empathy and managing conflict, having difficult conversations, inclusive leadership, and communication and teamwork. At this close of this term, our three ELCs have facilitated more than 160 workshops serving more than 3,500 students. Thank you to our ELC team – Christine Keylian, Gigi Gaultier, and Stephanie Mitchener – for their amazing facilitation and coaching skills. We'd also like to thank Theta Foundation and its donors for their support of this program. Visits have ended for this term and the program will return in the new year.

2022 Theta Foundation Scholarship Application

Theta Foundation's annual scholarship application will become available via Theta's website on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. Scholarships will be awarded in the spring for use during the 2022-2023 academic year. Applicants should be college or alumnae members in good standing who plan to be enrolled part- or full-time in an undergraduate or graduate/professional degree program during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Be sure to join the Theta Foundation Scholarship Application Tips & Support group in ThetaConnect to receive important announcements, tips and tricks, and personalized support to help you navigate the application process. Learn more about the scholarship program on Theta's website and contact Foundation Programs Director Mary Kate Smith if you have questions.

Theta Foundation Chapter & Individual Grants

The deadline for Q3 Chapter & Individual Grant applications is Jan. 12, 2022. Please direct any questions to Foundation Programs Director Mary Kate Smith.  

Theta Blog

Our Autumn 2021 Issue

Helpful Links

• ThetaConnect
• Workforce Contact Information
• Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
• New Volunteers
• Previous Updates