Zeta Kappa Chapter Installation

Kappa Alpha Theta is proud to announce the official reinstallation of its Zeta Kappa Chapter at the University of South Carolina. Chapter members were initiated on Saturday, Nov. 8. Grand Council members and Fraternity Housing Corporation (FHC) and Fraternity volunteers led the services, and collegians from Zeta Eta Chapter at Wofford College and Zeta Lambda Chapter at the College of Charleston served as marshals. Fraternity President Erica D’Angelo Ochs presented the charter during a celebratory event on Sunday, Nov. 9. 

Zeta Kappa Chapter is Theta’s 140th active college chapter. Originally established on campus in 1990, Zeta Kappa Chapter was active until 2001. Welcome home, Zeta Kappa Chapter! 

Workforce Updates

At their meeting on Friday, Nov. 21, Grand Council voted to appoint Ansley Howze, Eta Phi/Belmont, as a Grand Council vice president, effective immediately. This appointment fills the vacancy originally announced on Oct. 28. Grand Council would like to extend appreciation to the many women who expressed interest in the role.  

Ansley works professionally as an executive director for the American Heart Association, where she leads Georgia and South Carolina areas in fundraising growth, corporate engagement, and hands-on community impact initiatives. Her service-based work includes involvement in the Junior League and the Association of Junior Leagues International, including service as the president of the Junior League of Savannah, among other roles; alumni boards for Belmont University and the University of Georgia's Terry College; and as an area advisor and growth coach on the National Panhellenic Conference’s recruitment committee. Ansley began her Theta career as an educational leadership consultant (ELC) and then became assistant director of collegiate services. Since leaving staff, Ansley has served as an alumnae chapter president and treasurer, strategic recruitment specialist, recruitment and Panhellenic district director (RPDD), and is currently a college district director (CDD). 

Please join Grand Council in welcoming Macy Norman, Gamma Phi/Texas Tech, as the risk prevention committee chair. Macy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role, having served on the risk prevention committee since 2021, serving in college and alumnae officer roles, as well as on Fraternity staff as an educational leadership consultant (ELC). Professionally, Macy works as a human resource professional in the Charlotte, NC, area. Macy will provide excellent leadership and guidance to the risk prevention committee!

Theta Foundation's 2026 Scholarship Application

Theta Foundation's 2026 Scholarship Application will become available via Theta's website on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. Theta collegians and alumnae who will pursue undergraduate or graduate/professional study during the 2026-2027 academic year are encouraged to apply. Please help us spread the word about this unique opportunity! Contact Theta Foundation staff with questions. 

Theta Is Hiring for ELCs

Educational leadership consultants (ELCs) provide customized education and leadership development support and resources for students to enhance and add value to their collegiate experience. ELCs are recent college graduates who facilitate workshops and coaching sessions for Theta through in-person and/or virtual visits across North America. Additional details about the ELC program can be found on the Theta website. A job description and application link are posted on Theta’s website.  

ELC applications are due Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific. If you have any questions, please email elcprogram@kappaalphatheta.org.

Officer and Advisor Training Courses

Our 2026 officer training courses are available in Theta's Learning Management System (LMS). There is one common course for all college officers as well as a program-specific course for their role available to officers as well as their advisors. 

New this year are two new courses specific to advisors called “Introduction to Theta Advising” and “Successful Advising & Coaching.” These courses are available to all advisors in 2026 and will subsequently be used for onboarding new advisors. 

We're pleased to offer these training courses and look forward to announcing more courses in the future. Please reach out to Melissa Shaub, director of education & leadership, if you have a group that would benefit from a training program.

ELC Program 2025 Summary

The ELCs visited 27 chapters, facilitating 97 workshops for 2,651 members this semester. These visits also included many individual leadership coaching sessions with officers and members. The ELCs’ most popular workshops this semester were about belonging, inclusive leadership, effective communication, and fostering community and friendship. Below is an example of what members are sharing with us after an ELC visit. 

"I really liked the ELC's talk and appreciated what she was trying to do. As an incoming freshman I’ve been really trying to get to know everyone, so it felt really reassuring. It made me feel more seen as I’ve tried to say hi to everyone I recognize and just generally try to reach out. Everyone has been really nice of course but just knowing that we got a little reminder to reach out and maybe talk to someone you don’t really know." 

These visits are not possible without the support of Theta Foundation. Chapters continue to be incredibly appreciative that these visits come with no extra cost to them, making this leadership and educational programming accessible no matter what your chapter size. 

Kudos to our ELC team—Jamisen Casey, Zeta Phi/Pepperdine; Isabelle Conner, Beta/Indiana; and Pria Sharma, Eta Phi/Belmont—for their hard work this semester.

Winter Holiday Closing

The Fraternity, Theta Foundation, and Fraternity Housing Corporation (FHC) offices will be closed Monday, Dec. 22 through Friday, Jan. 2 for the annual winter break. The next issue of The Update will be sent Jan. 6, 2026.

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