Getting involved in Greek life is a great way to make new friends, improve personal development, and give your resume a boost! But did you know that there are many different types of Greek organizations?
Multicultural sororities are organizations whose founders may be from a particular culture or of a certain race. The mission of these organizations is to promote the culture that they were founded on. However, that doesn’t mean they only accept members of that particular race or culture. At Drexel there are Black, Latina, Asian, and South Asian organizations that anyone can join! HC Drexel has provided you with a breakdown of some of the benefits a collegiette can reap from joining a multicultural sorority:
SisterhoodSisterhood is the bond you share with other members of your sorority. The people you meet through your organization can become lifelong friends and mentors. They can even become your future bridesmaids, said Gina Medayil, a senior and member of Kappa Phi Gamma, a South Asian interest sorority.
Building relationships with the sisters can also help you adjust to college life and gain a support system even when you’re away from your family. When Nikki Echols, a Drexel alumna and sister of Chi Upsilon Sigma, a Latin interest sorority, needed someone to drive with her to Philadelphia from Columbus, Ohio, a sister responded to an email she sent to the whole organization. “We had never met but we got to know each other on that nine hour drive and we’ve become close friends. That’s sisterhood. Not knowing the individual but knowing [they’ve] got your back,” said Echols.
Learning About New CulturesDrexel has a Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) with representatives from all of the multicultural sororities and fraternities on campus. Being a part of this council makes it easy to network with people of diverse backgrounds that are in other organizations. “It’s nice to interact with different people and to learn and embrace new cultures without ever having to go anywhere,” said sophomore Chandni Shah, a member of Kappa Phi Gamma. If you’re interested in a particular culture and would love to learn about it, then joining a sorority with many members from that culture is a great way to expand your worldview.
TraditionsUnlike other universities, Drexel doesn’t have a ton of school traditions. Luckily for those involved in multicultural Greek life, there are different customs that make each sorority special. Each organization has its own motto, colors, symbols, gems, songs, and events that are celebrated, such as the day the sorority was founded.
Stepping and strolling are two other important traditions that many multicultural organizations participate in. Strolling is when several people do a synchronized dance in a line, while stepping is when each member uses clapping, stomping, and other movements to make a beat. Each sorority has its own unique strolls and steps.
The first time Perla Cherfane noticed Chi Upsilon Sigma, was when she saw a bunch of sisters strolling at Night on the Row. “They were so synchronized and they looked like they were having the time of their lives. One year later, and now I’m one of the sisters strolling on campus and proudly representing my organization through one of their most unique and fun traditions,” said Cherfane, a junior.
If stepping and strolling doesn’t seem like your thing, no worries! It’s totally optional.
Smaller ChaptersAt Drexel, the chapters for multicultural sororities are relatively small. This gives the undergraduate members and alumni the opportunity to really get to know each other and form close bonds that last beyond college. “This also allows each member to have more leadership opportunities and really discover who they are as a person, because a more intimate organization allows you to hold more responsibilities in a variety of areas,” said Elizabeth Kwong, a senior at Drexel and a member of Sigma Psi Zeta, an Asian interest sorority
Oftentimes, sisters will support each other by attending events held by other chapters nationwide. This allows women to meet members of their sorority who live in different parts of the country and go to other schools. In the case of Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta, two historically black sororities, there are even chapters outside of the country where you can meet people who you share a common bond with.
Leadership Roles & Personal DevelopmentGetting involved on campus not only benefits your social life, it also helps you grow personally and professionally. Junior Lan VanDe Hei, a member of Kappa Phi Gamma, said she has become more mature, confident, and open-minded since joining her organization.
You could gain even more skills by being on an executive board! Leadership positions expose you to situations that you may not have been involved in before. Planning large scale events, budgeting, and partnering with other organizations on campus are just some of the things you might learn how to do. Co-op employers and graduate schools like to see leadership experience on your resume as well.
PhilanthropyGreek organizations love to give back to the community through fundraising and volunteering. Different sororities have national philanthropy projects that the whole organization focuses on helping. For example, Delta Phi Omega, a South Asian interest sorority, adopted children’s literacy and education as their national philanthropy. Joining an organization that fights for a cause you care about can be an extremely rewarding experience.
Getting involved in multicultural Greek life isn’t only advantageous while you’re an undergraduate, it can also help you as an alumna. Between the friendships, the values of the organization and the opportunities to grow, joining a sorority can open new doors and create a rewarding college experience with memories and bonds that will stay with you forever.
Click here for contact information for each of the organizations mentioned above.
Below is a list of the multicultural sororities that are recognized at Drexel:
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Chi Upsilon Sigma, National Latin Sorority, Inc.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Delta Phi Omega Sorority, Inc.
Kappa Phi Gamma Sorority, Inc.
Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc.