Paris Thie, elected as the 2020 Alpha Chi Omega Beta Eta Chapter President this past December, gets real about leadership in college in relation to her perspective as an empowered woman.
Her Campus (HC): Paris, what are your roles as Chapter President of Alpha Chi Omega?
Paris Thie (PT): On paper, my duties are to ensure the safety and well-being of the Chapter, manage the function and form of the executive board, and act as a resource to all members; though, this position is about so much more than that.
HC: Seeing as you work so closely with them, what is the dynamic of your board?
PT: Though each board member has individual responsibilities, we come together to make decisions for the betterment of the Chapter through effective expression. I address every member of the board in the same way, communicating about what’s going on as well as my expectations. I value their opinions so much because they all have such different personalities and interests, which provides me with a wide range of perspectives. Serving as President is way more than a one-woman job; I depend on my board.
HC: Have you had any other leadership positions within Alpha Chi Omega? If so, what were they and what were your responsibilities?
PT: My first position was as Chaplain, through which I provided inspirational messages and materials for Chapter meetings to keep things light-hearted and positive. As Chaplain, I was a part of the Ritual Committee and, the following year, decided to run for Vice President of Ritual and Fraternity Appreciation, in which I ensured the education of our ritual and conducted ceremonies. Incorporating more than 250 members into these ceremonies was difficult, but I was able to see the core of my organization and its values and learn how it has changed over the years, which made me feel very connected to the Chapter. Because I was already familiar with what my organization stands for, its background here at Florida State and nationally, and what we hope to accomplish in the years to come, I felt more confident running for President.
HC: What made you want to transition from Chaplain to Vice President of Ritual and Fraternity Appreciation? What about from Vice President of Ritual and Fraternity Appreciation to Chapter President?
PT: Encouragement from those around me. Having already served on the board and experiencing our former Presidents in action, I had so much love for Alpha Chi and was motivated by the opportunity to contribute even more as President. Once you’ve been on the board it’s hard to give up the opportunity to enact positive change.
HC: What made you want to join Alpha Chi when you were a Potential New Member?
PT: Coming in, I avoided preconceived notions about Chapters and was very shy during recruitment. Alpha Chi was a place that I felt accepted me for who I was, which made me feel like I didn’t need to compromise any part of myself. I felt free to be me and still do.
HC: What do you hope to gain as President? What do you hope to give back to your Chapter?
PT: I receive a lot from my Chapter in relation to personal growth, communication skills, professional development, and a support system, but it’s hard for me, as a current leader, to determine what my position will offer me in the long run. I am, however, confident that at the end of this experience I will be a stronger woman. In terms of giving back, I hope to foster an environment where members feel comfortable speaking their minds and are able to recognize that they have a group of women they can come to with anything at any time.
HC: What are you most excited about as President?
PT: The opportunity to get closer with everyone, which is tough considering there are more than 240 of us, but I want members to know that they can always come to me. In a way, I’ve developed a motherly instinct. Because my experience has been so positive, I want to help every sister achieve what they want to achieve and get where they want to go while helping them get the most out of their college and Panhellenic experiences.
HC: Alternatively,what are you most nervous about?
PT: Establishing a balance between respect and trust. I’m here to hold my sisters accountable and want each and every one of them to feel free to be their own individual.
HC: What are your goals after graduating? How do you think serving as President will be reflected later in your professional life?
PT: I anticipate receiving my Master’s in Clinical Psychology and focusing on women’s mental health, trauma and sexual assault, all of which relate to Alpha Chi Omega’s national philanthropy, Domestic Violence Awareness. Since my main interest is in therapy, having intentional conversations with Chapter and board members and showing genuine interest in what they’re doing, saying and contributing is helping me learn about the communications styles I will need to understand as my career will require me to relate and effectively listen to patients.
HC: Finally, what advice would you give anyone wanting to pursue a leadership position?
PT: I believe that everything that is meant to be will gravitate towards you, and you’ll know when it does. As such, I put my all into everything I do. I suggest not wearing yourself too thin solely to build your resume, and that you surround yourself with people who genuinely want the best for you. Go for things that align with who you are as a person and push yourself to step outside of your comfort zone and try new things – but always stay true to you.
All photos courtesy of Paris Thie.
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