Name: Liz ObermeyerMajor: City Planning and GeographyYear: Senior Hometown: Greensboro, North Carolina
Q: Tell me what being PHC President has been like and your responsibilities.A: It has been an experience of a lifetime. I’ve had the opportunity to work with eight great women who serve on my council as well as different administrators around campus. My responsibilities include overseeing the eight councilmembers and helping them with their projects, like Recruitment, Greek Week, and Anti-Hazing Week; serving as a liaison between the sorority community and ASU’s administration; holding executive and general body meetings; and sometimes working on a lot of paperwork.
Q: What do you like most about being PHC President? What has been the most rewarding part?A: One of the most rewarding experiences this past year was when the GPA average for sorority women was higher than the women’s average on campus. It really showed that we are defeating stereotypes and living balanced lives. Also, it has been so much fun to make new friends on council, even though they are in different sororities, I spend pretty much every day with them.
Q: What has been the hardest part about being PHC President?A: As PHC President, all the decisions I make are for the betterment of all nine, now ten, chapters on campus. Of course, there are times when many chapters disagree over what’s best and what should be done. I have learned to take a step back from the situation, look at both the majority and minority opinions, and really focus on what is important.
Q: What made you decide to run for PHC President?A: I had served as Vice President of Chapter Operations for Alpha Phi as well as Vice President of Conduct on PHC, and with that work, I had plenty of amazing leaders to look up to and who served as my mentors. They inspired me through their hard work, commitment, and passion to Greek Life. I hoped to impress those same values onto future leaders in sorority life. I also saw the potential for further advancement of our community and I wanted to continue the successful work of my predecessors. Finally, each chapter on campus is so extraordinary and has something special to offer, and I really wanted a chance to work with them individually.
Q: What do you plan to do with all your free time next semester since your term will be over?A: Job search. It’s scary that I’m graduating in a few months, and I should probably focus on finding a job. My sister is getting married in April and I am her Maid of Honor, so I will be spending a lot of time with her getting everything ready. I also just want to spend some good, quality time (probably watching Netflix) with my friends.
Q: Tell me about your experience with Greek life at App.A: It has been empowering. Before I went through recruitment, I was very introverted. After joining Alpha Phi and being in the Greek environment, I came out of my shell because everyone was so welcoming and fun to be around. Becoming involved within Alpha Phi and in PHC, I became confident and gained invaluable courage to understand what really matters and make a difference. I, or course, have found my lifetime sisters and friends; the gals who make me laugh, who stand behind me no matter what, and challenge me to be a better woman.
Q: What will you miss most about App when you graduate?A: Just the welcoming environment of the students, faculty, and Boone. I always joke about that there’s something in the water, but there’s nothing about App that I won’t miss (maybe the wind some days.) This school offers so much to its students, in and out of the classroom. I will also miss the ladies who work in Cascades, they are just so nice.
Q: Plans after graduation?A: I am moving to Atlanta. My job interest right now is being a policy analyst for the CDC. I also want to travel as much as possible, adopt as many dogs as possible, buy a fixer-upper house.
Q: What other things are you involved with in Boone or on campus?A: I am very involved in Alpha Phi as well, and I love giving back to the chapter that has given me so much. I work in Club Hub and in Holmes Convocation Center. I also volunteer at a few places around town; I love going to the Humane Society because animals are my favorite things ever.
Q: Any secret talents or hobbies?A: (I feel like a cast member of High School Musical saying this) but I love to cook. I can’t do a lot of it right now because I still live in the APH, but it is my favorite thing to do when I go home. When I was in high school, I had an internship with a chef and some day my mom and I would like to own our own southern foods restaurant. I also found out this weekend that I’m pretty good at Wii bowling so that might turn into something!