Abbie Stasior ’17 knows how to skillfully balance academics, extracurriculars and work. She has been involved in a wide variety of organizations and groups on campus and has gone above and beyond by taking on many leadership positions. One of her most notable accomplisments is being Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kappa Alpha Theta’s Epsilon Lambda chapter. Her Campus reached out to Abbie to learn more about her experience at Dickinson, her leadership positions, sororities and much more!
Name: Abbie Stasior
Class Year: 2017
Major(s): Neuroscience
Minor: Creative Writing
Hometown: Albany, New York
HC: What have you been involved with on campus?
AS: Liberty Cap Society, Pre-Health Society, Kappa Alpha Theta, Neuroscience Club, Hypnotic, Dance Theatre Group. In addition I am also a Teaching Assistant for Neuroscience 200’s lab and I also do research with Professor Rauhut on exercise and drug addiction.
HC: How do you balance all of your extracurriculars while keeping up with your studies?
AS: I have to plan out my days and use my time effectively. I prioritize and I keep myself organized. Each Sunday I write down a huge goals list for myself to guide me each week, in addition to having a day planner. Even if I only have a half-hour here or there, I am always working on one of my goals. I am a planner and a forward thinker. To do everything that I do in a day I have to plan in advance and use my time wisely.
HC: What is your biggest challenge as being CEO of Kappa Alpha Theta?
AS: My biggest challenge and worry upon entering the position was that I didn’t know if I had thick enough skin for it. No matter what you do, in any aspect of your life, there will always be opposition. This concern prompted me to be a transparent leader so that people could understand my thought process when making decisions. It is important to be open and honest about change when it is happening.
HC: What has been the most rewarding part of being CEO of Kappa Alpha Theta?
AS: So many rewarding parts come to mind! I loved being able to attend the CEO Academy conference where I met the other CEOs and, through discussion, analyzed my personal strengths. In addition, I loved being our chapter’s delegate at Grand Convention. We received an award called the Silver Kite Award this past summer for setting great goals and staying true to our core values.
One role of the CEO is to oversee officers and committees and build up their leadership skills by allowing them to plan and organize their own events and workshops. It is so rewarding to see my sisters succeed in executing their events. For example, I love watching Brianna Horgan run recruitment workshops and loved watching Ariana Garagazzo and Meghan Shippe “MC” our Signature Philanthropy event this year, CASA Café. They are all so strong and competent and I love watching them grow.
HC: What advice would you give to girls considering going through recruitment?
AS: It is important for Potential New Members (PNMs) to reflect specifically on the conversations they had at each house and evaluate them separately. Go with your gut. Where did you laugh the most? And like a good laugh, not a nervous trying-to-impress-a-sister laugh. Where did you feel the most at ease? Where did you feel like you could let your guard down and just breathe? Because you want to find a place where you feel the most comfortable being your true self.
HC: How has being in a sorority changed your college experience?
AS: Being in a sorority made my college experience. Being in Theta gave me true, life-long friendships, Theta gave me leadership, Theta gave me support and inspiration. Theta gave me a home away from home.
HC: What is your favorite thing about being in a sorority?
AS: My favorite thing about being in a sorority is being surrounded by a group of totally diverse women and knowing that I have something in common with all of them. We come together as Thetas because we all value what Theta internationally stands for. Even if we are involved in different things on campus or have different majors or career goals, we come together as Thetas because we have a part in each of us that embodies Theta’s mission and vision.
HC: What is one stereotype about sororities that you find to be false?
AS: That sororities at Dickinson are exclusive. There is a place for everyone. Of course, nothing is guaranteed in the recruitment process, but if you are open and true to the process, and want to be in a sorority at Dickinson, there is a home for you.
HC: What are you involved with off of campus?
AS: I am a server at Cracker Barrel! I also run my own online business as a fitness and wellness coach through the company BeachBody!
HC: What is your biggest tip for someone who is beginning to make healthy changes?
AS: First and foremost, you need to set goals. You need to have that vision in mind, that thing that will drive you. There will be so many temptations along the way and it is easier to stay on track and focused if you know why you are doing what you are doing. Why are you making those changes? What do you hope to gain? I’ve found that if you can connect your goals to a feeling that you’ll by more likely to stick with your lifestyle changes!
HC: How do you stay motivated?
AS: I stay motivated by not allowing myself to burn out. I set high goals for myself, but I am also realistic with my expectations. You need to allow yourself to have a treat and be a college student. Be healthy, but find a balance. I do this with my academics as well. I typically take Friday nights off from studying and this does not derail my grades or change my academic success. It allows me to regroup so I can wake up Saturday morning driven and ready to go.
HC: What is your favorite thing about Dickinson?
AS: I love how many things I can get involved in here! I am involved in a wide variety of clubs and organizations and I love it. I’ve always been able to say that. Lately I’ve also been feeling especially close with my professors. I even got to babysit for Prof. Perabo this past week and gone out to dinner with the Rauhut family. I love how I can get to know my professors on a personal level. It makes Dickinson more special!
HC: What is something that most people don’t know about you?
AS: I love writing poetry! I discovered this throughout my time at Dickinson. I actually came to Dickinson wanting to be a Dance major and possibly a Biology minor, but I couldn’t get into the Biology course I wanted to take my first semester here so I took English 218, Creative Writing: Fiction and Poetry and I fell in love. Now I am a Neuroscience major and Creative writing minor!
HC: What are your plans after graduation?
AS: Currently up in the air! Right now it is a waiting game. I have applied to Medical School, both MD and DO programs. I have also have an interview scheduled with Teach For America in February, so that is an option as well. In addition, I just submitted my application this week to be an Educational Leadership Consultant (ELC) for Kappa Alpha Theta’s Headquarters. No matter what I end up doing directly after graduation, Medical School is my goal and I intend on entering the field of Primary Care as a Family Medicine Physician. I will also be graduating with a fully functioning online business through BeachBody so I will continue that as well!
HC: What advice would you give to your freshman self?
AS: Do not waste the little time you have in college surrounded by people that do not make you feel like your best self or people with negative energy. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and support you. You only have one life, make it a happy one.