Thank You, 2025 Collegiate Officers!
As the year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the collegiate leaders who have made a lasting impact in their roles this year.
To our 2025 collegiate officers of Delta Gamma, thank you! Your leadership, passion, creativity and dedication have strengthened our sisterhood and advanced our mission to do good. Every program hosted, every conversation started and every member supported has contributed to the continued growth of Delta Gamma.
This year, you: Led with courage and care, invested in the development of your members, lived out Article II, showed up-even when it wasn’t easy, and created spaces where belonging, learning and connection could thrive.
Leadership in Delta Gamma is not defined by titles; it’s defined by impact. And you have made a lasting impact.
We are endlessly grateful for your contributions that make Delta Gamma extraordinary. With 6.5% of collegiate members serving on a chapter management team (CMT) and 24.8% representing joint CMT, we are thankful for your many contributions.
As you transition into the next chapter of your collegiate careers, we hope you remember that. Delta Gamma is better because you led in it.
Thank you for the time you invested, the insight you shared, the standards you upheld, the ideas you championed and the sisterhood you strengthened. Your work has laid a foundation that will empower and serve members long after your term as an officer ends.
And because strong leaders build strong leaders, we also want to recognize the teams behind you: your chapter members, advisory boards, mentors and campus partners. Your success is shared, and so is our gratitude. Here’s to 2025!
Check out these words of wisdom from outgoing chapter presidents!
Ellen Olender, Zeta Zeta-Boston
“As chapter president, one of the most important yet unwritten responsibilities is learning to balance leadership with friendship. The role can be overwhelming. You become the point person for every concern, lead honor board discussions, and work to build a space where sisterhood is not just talked about, but truly lived. While it's rewarding, it's also challenging, especially when you're trying to guide others toward something that ultimately depends on their own engagement. My job is to create the foundation through events, service, and support so members have the space to connect and grow. One of the hardest challenges has been navigating the line between personal relationships and leadership. When a close friend appears before the Honor Board, I must remain fair while also considering what will genuinely support their growth. These moments are never simple, but they remind me of why we are here: to build meaningful, lasting connections. Leadership is about showing up, taking intentional action, and staying grounded in our values. Even when expectations are high and emotions are higher, a strong leader creates a space that feels inclusive, supportive, and positive. Most importantly, I have learned that leadership should also be joyful. Humor, lightness, and genuine connection are what make this experience memorable. Creating an environment where everyone feels welcome, seen, and able to laugh together is what brings sisterhood to life.”
Lili Zens, Beta Epsilon-American
“Serving as chapter president has taught me how to lead with empathy, collaboration, and integrity – all skills that I know will carry into every next step of my life. I’ve learned the importance of creating an inclusive environment where every member feels valued and heard, while also making difficult decisions that balance individual and organizational needs. Leading such a passionate group of women has strengthened my ability to communicate effectively, manage conflict, and motivate others toward shared goals. Most importantly, this role has shown me how impactful authentic leadership can be; how leading by example and with compassion fosters trust, growth, and community. These lessons have prepared me to approach future challenges in my career or graduate studies with confidence, resilience, and a deep appreciation for teamwork and purpose-driven leadership.”
Kitty Cleary, Delta Beta- Kentucky
“The best advice I received when stepping into this position was to lead with empathy and remember that everyone has something going on behind the scenes. I really took that to heart. Throughout my term, I’ve tried to be someone younger members feel comfortable coming to - someone who listens, understands and makes them feel welcomed and valued. At the same time, I have learned that empathy doesn’t mean letting things slide; accountability and consequences are just as important for maintaining respect and standards. I have also realized it is okay to make mistakes! What matters is how you respond, learn, and grow from them. That mindset has helped me stay grounded and continue to improve as a leader.”
Sydney Kennedy, Gamma Alpha-Tennessee
“There are two things I wish I had known before stepping into the role of president. On a personal level, I never could have imagined how rewarding this experience would be and how much I’d grow from it. I’ve made the most amazing memories and built connections that have made my time in the chapter so meaningful.
From a position and leadership side, I wish I had known what it really feels like to have so many people counting on you and looking to you for direction. It can feel like a lot of pressure at times, but is fulfilling. It has taught me the importance of always setting a positive example and making decisions with the chapter’s best interest in mind!
Another piece of advice kind of related to this question is I have learned how important transparency is. One of my favorite quotes I was told is “Be open about how decisions are made and why things are happening. If you don’t, people will fill the blanks in with negatives” which is so true. Everyone wants to feel in the know, so being transparent about the “why” behind decisions has made such a huge difference in our chapter morale!”
Bella Lowe, Theta Gamma-UNC Wilmington
“Utilize your resources! This is a very challenging but such a rewarding time! Utilize your CMT and JCMT, do not let everything fall onto you even if you think you can do it, it will wear you out! Ensure you delegate to CMT whatever you need. In the library, the honor board handbook is a good resource, the CCOM when delegating to positions, elections guide, and really any resource in the library! Also, feel confident and comfortable in reaching out and using advisers, ATC’s and even CDCs as a resource for you if you have any questions. Also, ensure you know or can easily access your chapters bylaws to be able to answer questions and ensure fairness with everything including points, attendance, etc! Good luck during this time as president, you will do amazing!”
Majda Hadzic, Zeta Sigma-Northern Kentucky
“Building strong relationships with our university administration started with consistent communication and collaboration. I made it a priority to attend campus leadership meetings, student organization roundtables, and any events where university staff and student leaders connected. This gave us the opportunity to come together as a community and really get to know one another.”
Vienna Coluzzi, Delta Iota-Georgia
“One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned through this role was how to lead with empathy in a moment of crisis. Conflict or crisis is never easy, and I quickly realized that people look to the president not just to fix things, but to stay calm and grounded. You don’t always need to have all the answers right away! Honestly, we’re all college students figuring it out as we go! My focus was always on staying composed, getting the full picture before reacting, and being open and honest in how I communicated. I’ve learned that collaboration, empathy, and a clear head go a long way. At the end of the day, being president during challenging moments taught me that leadership is really about perspective and putting your members’ well-being first, even when things don’t go perfectly.”
Sara Morgan, Gamma Zeta-Louisiana State
“One of my biggest goals during my presidency was to approach leading my peers by prioritizing empathy, open communication, and patience. We are all college women, aged 18 to 22, and leading a group of 380 women the same age as me was an incredibly unique experience. It taught me a great deal about balancing close relationships while also operating and maintaining the strength of our organization. I believe that a healthy and happy chapter is one where each woman feels deeply supported, seen, and loved by her sisters and those in positions of leadership. I made it a priority to emphasize that CMT and JCMT are here to be a shoulder to lean on and to encourage leadership growth among all members, so that each woman feels empowered to strive to reach her goals as a member of Delta Gamma.
I found it most challenging to navigate the line between being someone’s close friend and being a leader who has to hold them accountable and enforce the rules. My best advice for finding this balance is to remember that your chapter has entrusted you with this role and you are doing what is in the best interest and operational health of the chapter by being an unbiased leader. You were chosen to serve in this role for a reason! It has always felt natural to me to be a confidant and a shoulder to lean on for my sisters, and to strengthen the incredible bonds I already share with everyone. I feel so grateful to have had this experience and learned so many life lessons!”
Ava McChesney, Zeta-Albion
“My best advice for leading chapter meetings is to always come prepared and willing to share thoughts, opinions, and advice. It can be intimidating leading a chapter meeting for the first time just remember that you were voted as president for a reason by your chapter members. They want to see you in this position as your leader, you got this. Keep meetings on task, be conscious of people's time and other activities. Incorporate some fun activities or games, bring the chapter together, and use this one hour of the week to get together as a chapter, be there for each other, and live in the moment.”
Audrey Lee, Xi-Michigan
“I think a big part of my success in getting CMT to work well together came from building genuine friendships among the vice presidents. We met consistently every week, and I always made sure to start our meetings with a fun chat and life updates. Even though many of the girls came from different friend groups within our member class, our CMT meetings felt like a space where we could all laugh and connect like one. I also made an effort to build personal relationships with each member outside of meetings, texting individually about CMT tasks while including some friendly conversation too. Once we all enjoyed each other’s company and built mutual trust, the motivation to collaborate came naturally.”
Alyssa Markell, Alpha Rho-Ohio Wesleyan
“Being an effective president of your chapter requires a significant time commitment. However, this time commitment is very manageable and you can balance it with any other responsibilities you may have, don’t be intimidated! Something that helped me a lot balancing my time with other commitments and course loads was setting aside specific time for my “DG work”. I would set certain times every week to take care of my Delta Gamma responsibilities. Choose a time that works best for your schedule, but setting certain times to take care of your presidential duties is super beneficial. Additionally, having a super detailed calendar is very helpful and can allow you to manage your time wisely. Staying on top of everything you have going on is super important. Knowing what is coming up in your chapter and in the other aspects of your life, even months ahead, and planning accordingly can help you best delegate your time effectively. Another piece of advice I would share is simply to just not take on too much more than you can handle! If you feel stressed about managing your time with your DG responsibilities, be honest and open with your CMT and lean on others for help!”
Morgan Greilich, Beta Zeta-Denison
“I have worked hard to build strong relationships with my Panhellenic peers and the broader Greek community by being present, collaborative, and supportive. I make an effort to engage with other chapter presidents and leaders, not just when there’s a specific issue to address, but to genuinely get to know them and understand how their chapters operate. This has helped create a sense of trust and open communication between us, making it easier to share ideas and find common ground when challenges arise.
I also prioritize supporting other organizations’ events, whether that’s attending their philanthropy fundraisers or community service initiatives. Encouraging our members to show up for other chapters has been a big part of how we’ve strengthened those bonds. The other organizations on campus help tremendously during Anchor Splash fundraising efforts, so the strong relationships pay off.
Additionally, I’ve found that collaboration goes a long way in building community. Working alongside other Panhellenic leaders on joint initiatives has shown how much we can achieve when we combine our efforts. Overall, I’ve tried to lead with kindness, respect, and engagement, which I believe has helped foster a stronger, more unified Greek community on campus.”
Ava Rennard, Gamma Iota-DePauw
“Gamma Iota had a CDC visit from Elise just this past September. While I have been in leadership and interacted with CDCs before, Elise’s visit to DePauw was so special! Elise assisted us in coming up with new ideas for events, addressing issues and concerns with members of CMT and other chapter members, and overall was an incredibly encouraging and supportive CDC. Ultimately, she got to know what made our chapter unique and catered her advice to fit us, which made it easier to apply and adapt to the suggestions she made. When planning for a CDC visit, remember to ask the CDC their preferences! I asked Elise what time she wanted to wake up, and she told me no one had ever asked that! By catering as much as possible to what she needed/wanted, there was a level of respect and understanding that allowed our short time together to be productive and full of fun!”
Kate McClellan, Zeta Rho-Ohio
“I would say that the best chapter meeting experience I’ve had as president was the one immediately following Changing of the Tides, when I was officially sworn in as chapter president. That meeting was incredibly meaningful because it symbolized both a personal milestone and a new chapter for our sisterhood. Looking out into the room and seeing my friends, especially my big, filled me with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and pride. It was such a powerful reminder of the support system and friendships that have shaped my journey in Zeta Rho. It filled me with an extreme amount of excitement to know that I had achieved a personal goal of mine and would be able to further my commitment of leading with intention, empathy and giving back to a chapter that has shaped so much of me!”
Bailey Griffis, Alpha Zeta-Lawrence
“I approached managing a team with care, compassion, and awareness of the personal responsibility I had to my chapter to ensure its viability and strength. As president, I recognized the importance of my role as a leader, a manager, and a sister, finding that being myself was the best way to serve both my chapter management team and my chapter.
In times of frustration or uncertainty, it is important to remind yourself that you were elected for a reason…as were the other officers. The qualities of leadership, friendship, and social responsibility that you have shown throughout your membership in the fraternity have led you to where you are today. In recognizing this, take pride in the fact that you have been selected as the member of your chapter that best embodies Delta Gamma’s values while also being able to be a primary source of outreach, support, and advice for those you lead. Lead with love and care….and all the pieces will fall into place!”
Audrey Menzies, Gamma Upsilon-Wichita State
“I ensured all members were heard throughout my term by adopting a “we before me” mindset. No decision was ever made alone. I consistently communicated with CMT and truly valued their input on every change and initiative. I also made time for one-on-one meetings with any member who requested them to ensure everyone felt heard, valued, and part of our chapter’s growth. Overall, I believe clear is kind, and unclear is unkind. When you lead with clarity, openness, and a willingness to have difficult conversations, your chapter will always feel informed, supported, and heard.”
Evalyn Dietz, Alpha Theta-North Dakota
“A typical day in my life always includes communication! As president you are the main communication point for your chapter so it’s important to stay on top of things and make sure to be responding and reading emails and texts! Some days and weeks are busier than others, for example Mondays are busy for my chapter since we have a majority of our meetings on this day. However, you will get into a routine and it ends up not feeling as overwhelming as it might seem on paper. One tip that worked well for me is to choose a day or two in the week to take time to focus on the bulk of your DG things to help find a balance between DG, school, and your personal life!”
Brianna Guadalupe, Gamma Xi-Texas Tech
“During the officer transition process, I wish I had spent more time learning about how to manage the time and balance required to be president. I don’t think I fully understood how much sacrifice the role would take or how many different hats you end up wearing all at once. From overseeing chapter operations to supporting individuals and representing our chapter as a whole, there’s always something that needs your attention. I wish I had taken more time to prepare for that side of leadership, learning how to set priorities, manage my schedule, and delegate effectively.”
Meg Samuel, Gamma Tau-Texas Chirstian
“My hope for the next generation of leaders is that they lead with empathy and kindness. As president of your chapter, the single most important thing is to listen to your members. Empathetic leadership means really hearing people, understanding their perspectives, and making them feel valued. Kindness doesn’t mean weakness. I think the strongest leaders are the ones who can make tough decisions while still showing compassion for the people those decisions affect. I’ve learned that people remember how you make them feel. When leaders model empathy and kindness, it creates a ripple effect; others start leading that way too. I think kindness is one of the most underrated forms of influence. You never know how much difference one small act of empathy can make for someone else.”
Cynthia Phan, Eta Gamma-Texas A&M
“By seeking guidance and advice through all the ups and downs of this position, I’ve found [my relationship with the Regional Team and EO] to be one of the most meaningful parts of my experience. Reaching out for support has strengthened my relationships with our regional team and EO staff, and I’ve come to deeply value the wisdom and experience these women have shared with me. Their insight has not only helped me navigate challenges with more confidence but has also benefited our entire chapter in countless ways. Being able to see them as mentors and friends has allowed me to build genuine connections and rely on them as a true support system. They’ve impacted the leader I am today, and I’m incredibly grateful for the relationships that have grown from this experience.”
Cameron Clark, Beta Omega-Washington State
“There are so many reasons in which I decided to run for president, but at the end of the day it boils down to a few key things. Firstly, I ran for president because I wanted to help my chapter grow, both in how we support each other and in how we represent our values on campus. I believe strong leadership can make a huge difference, and I wanted to use my experiences and passion to move us forward. Secondly, I wanted to strengthen the sense of unity and sisterhood within our chapter. I believe that when every member feels valued, included, and heard, our bonds become stronger. Cultivating that culture of kindness and compassion is something that inspired me so much, and deepened my desire to become a leader. Lastly, I ran for president because I believe in what our sorority stands for, and I wanted to play an active role in shaping its future. Leaving a lasting, positive legacy for the sisters who come after me is something that not only pushed me to ultimately run for president, but also has fueled my passion and purpose for this role throughout the year.
With this in mind, stay connected to the purpose that led you to pursue this position. It will be your anchor and your drive, shaping you into the strongest and most authentic version of yourself!”
Joey Heick, Nu-Idaho
“Advocation: In my experience as a chapter president, I realized that one of the most important things I can do is to be an advocate for the people around me who need it. I work closely with the University and other chapter presidents all the time, but specifically when there is a problem that one of my members is facing that they need help navigating. This is one of the most fulfilling parts of my job, because I get to be the person that my members trust to help them. Growth: I have grown so much in the last year and I owe it all to DG. In the beginning of my term I struggled with imposter syndrome, meaning I felt like I wasn’t the right person for the job or I wouldn’t be good enough. I had to just trust that my members want me to serve and that they respect me. This has given me so much insight about myself and how I receive praise. Now, I believe that I can tackle anything and I can’t imagine my life without this experience. Gratification: This has been my favorite job I have ever had. I am so proud of what my chapter has been able to accomplish during my term. Getting to serve the chapter that has given me more than I could ever ask for has been truly the most humbling and honoring experience of my life. I wish I could go back in time and do it all over again, but since I cannot, I will take all the lessons I learned with me and cherish this experience forever.”
Elizabeth Hyde, Alpha Phi-British Columbia
“My biggest takeaway from my time as chapter president would be to use your resources. There will be times when you might feel out of your depth, confused, or overwhelmed, but Delta Gamma is there to support you. There are countless resources from the library, to the rest of CMT, to your advisers. Everyone wants you to succeed, and knowing when to ask for help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. Delegating is such an important skill, and is one you will learn to capitalize on throughout your term. Give yourself credit, know your limits, and be honest with those around you.”
Makenna James, Epsilon Sigma-San Diego State
“Serving as Delta Gamma president has been one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life. This role has pushed me to grow in ways I never expected and has shown me that I am capable of conquering anything that comes my way, whether it is a personal setback or a professional obstacle. There were moments of uncertainty and self doubt, but those moments taught me how to lead with confidence and compassion. Through this experience I have learned so much about myself, including how I respond under pressure, how I communicate, and how I inspire others. I have realized that leadership is not about having all the answers, but about listening, learning, and trusting both yourself and your team. I have built deeper connections with my sisters, many of whom have become my greatest support system and lifelong friends. Together we have celebrated incredible accomplishments and faced challenges that reminded me of the power of unity, sisterhood, and grace. Being president has shaped me into a stronger and more confident version of myself. It has given me the courage to take on new challenges beyond Delta Gamma and to trust that I have the skills and heart to succeed in anything I do. This role has not only made me a better leader but also a better friend, student, and woman. To the next chapter presidents, embrace every moment, both the highs and the lows, because through it all you will discover just how capable, resilient, and extraordinary you truly are.”
Ella Maclear, Gamma-UC Berkeley
“The fall has definitely been one of the more challenging parts of my term, especially with the integration of a new member class. As president, it’s your job to set the tone for the chapter and model the values you want to see. You may not know the new members as personally as others do, but to them, you are the face of DG, the person who represents what the chapter stands for. I recommend meeting with your active members before the first chapter to set clear expectations. Remind them that they are now role models, no longer new members. It’s their responsibility to model excellence by being kind, engaged, and academically focused. This includes the little things, like showing active listening and respect when someone is speaking, and expecting the same in return. New members are like sponges, they absorb the energy and culture around them, so be intentional about creating a positive and supportive environment. You may think this will happen naturally, but setting clear expectations never hurts.
Additionally, take time to outline expectations for how DGs represent themselves in the broader community to the new members. Emphasize that we are kind, that we speak respectfully about others, and that we show up to every space (whether it’s someone’s home, an event, or a meeting) with respect and integrity.”
Charlie Johnson, Zeta Epsilon-Santa Clara
“Something that I wished I had implemented throughout my time as president is a stricter attendance policy for chapter. We use Flare to check in for chapter, and until recently, our members would send the QR code to their friends to mask being absent from chapter. In my opinion, chapter is a great way to get together with your friends and hangout! Our members are paying dues to attend chapter meetings, so it made me upset when girls wouldn’t come to chapter, although we use both a chapter point system AND the Flare QR code. My biggest piece of advice with streamlining harsher attendance policies is that your members should want to be there, that’s why they joined DG, and that’s what their dues go towards!”
