Junior finance and marketing double major Grace Hayes has learned what it takes to be a leader during her time as Tri Delta president at the University of Maryland.
“As the face of the chapter, Grace has been incredible at communicating with advisors, the university and other chapters to ensure our success as a chapter,” said Kaelyn Taylor, Tri Delta’s vice president of administration.
As president, Hayes is responsible for all of the chapters members– everything they do– and represents the chapter as a whole. We caught up with her to learn what it’s like to uphold the reputation of an entire sorority, and balance a full course load considering sorority expectations.
Q: How would you describe the women in Tri Delta?
A: The women in Tri Delta are some of the funniest women I know. They are ridiculous, quirky, funny, and can always make me laugh without fail. Beyond their unique personalities, they are driven, smart, loyal individuals who truly care about one another. Each member of Tri Delta knows that they can count on their sisters for anything and everything. The friendships we have all built around our sisterhood are genuine and lifelong, and I am so grateful to be a part of it.
Q: What has been the most rewarding experience as president?
A: Serving as president is one of the most challenging experiences of my life. However, overall, it is also the most rewarding. I have made countless friends that I would have otherwise never met, I have accomplished tasks I never thought were possible, and I have learned valuable life lessons that will stick with me forever. However, of all these things, the most rewarding was the positive impact that I made on the individuals around me. Being in the position where I was constantly serving and helping others was beyond gratifying and rewarding. These were the experiences that always made the stressful times and bad days all worth it.
Q: What does this position mean to you and how has it helped you grow as an individual?
A: Serving in this role has been the most defining moment in my life thus far. There is nothing else I have experienced that has allowed me to grow so substantially as an individual. I have learned lessons in teamwork, accountability, communication, organization, time management, and more. Right now, we are in the process of going through transitioning, and the new president is slowly taking over. This process is extremely bittersweet for me. I am excited for the next chapter, full of more free time and less stress, but sad to be leaving a role that I have grown so accustomed to, and that has given me so much.
Q: What skills you gained as president can you take into life after college?
A: My time as president provided me with a plethora of skills that I look forward to applying to life after college. As an individual, I have grown more patient and understanding with those around me. As a student, I have become more organized, timely, and motivated. I have also learned how to communicate effectively, properly address difficult issues, and overcome whatever challenges are handed to me. These will all help me in my post-graduate life, as I will be a devoted worker and reliable friend.
Q: What is the most difficult part about the “job”?
A: The most difficult part of the “job” are the unexpected day-to-day things that you cannot plan for. No matter how prepared you think you are for what each day may bring, I have realized that as president, you can never be fully prepared. One text message, email, or phone call can change the entire path of your day and you have to be able to adapt and deal with these issues calmly and rationally. This is easier said than done, especially considering I still get overwhelmed by some of the unexpected issues that pop up some days. You really just have to be able to expect the unexpected.