Have you ever wondered what it might be like to hold a position, such as President, in a Greek organization? Julianna Emilio, a senior nursing student, offers an inside look on what her role as President of a sorority entails. Julianna even gives suggestions to those seeking a leadership position in any organization on campus.
In the eyes of many Greek life students, several commitments come along with joining a sorority, it means whole-hearted dedication and the willingness to give back. It means giving back to a community larger than oneself and always striving for greatness.
Emilio has been a sister of Phi Sigma Sigma for almost two years now, and she has held the position as President for seven months. Her sisters know her as kind-hearted, enthusiastic, reliable, and extremely dedicated.
On top of that, she believes her past leadership positions like being on the board of the Panhellenic Council and President of the Panhellenic Council have helped her fully prepare to uphold the duties as President of Phi Sigma Sigma.
Monmouth University offers a total of 14 individually unique Greek organizations on campus. The fraternity and sorority community encompasses a diverse group of individuals, which is just one of the reasons as to why it is so great.
Michele Kaplan, Assistant Director of Student Activities for Fraternity and Sorority Life, encourages students to pursue leadership roles within their organization.
She said, “By holding a leadership role in their organization, our student leaders are able to gain skills that will be transferable once they graduate from Monmouth.”
Emilio suggested, “Take all of the opportunities that are offered to you. Leadership retreats, Northeast Greek Leadership Association (NGLA), and workshops are super helpful and insightful. I always attended them [as an underclassman] because I didn’t mind volunteering, but if you take the information and make something out of it, then it will inspire you to move forward with a goal.”
Anyone who encounters Emilio can agree that her dedication is infectious and her positive attitude is equally contagious.
Her roommate of two years, Dennie Augustine, a senior communication student, said, “[I] get to see Jules [Emilio] constantly working her hardest as she balances the workload as a nursing major while fulfilling the obligations as President of Phi Sigma Sigma.”
As Emilio approaches graduation in the Spring, she reflects on her time here at Monmouth. As a student, friend, sister, and mentor, she has truly fulfilled every opportunity that has come her way.
Her role as President of Phi Sigma Sigma, as she puts it, has rightly been one of the most memorable and rewarding.
Joining a sorority or fraternity during years spent here at Monmouth can truly change one’s experience in incredible ways.
Lifelong friendships, professional connections, and even the ability grow as a person are just a few of the benefits that joining an organization has to offer.
Kaplan also said, “Some of the greatest aspects about joining Greek life are the unlimited opportunities for learning through event planning, meeting management, networking, etc.”
Emilio believes that anyone seeking a leadership role on campus should certainly pursue it, knowing all the good and personal growth that comes along with it.
She said, “Greek life at Monmouth gives so many students the chance to become involved within the community and their own organizations, and it’s cool to be a part of that right now with everything going on in the world.”
So, the next time you find yourself wondering if it is possible to balance schoolwork and a leadership position such as sorority President, remember that it can be achieved. Just as most tasks require hard work and dedication, assuming a role on campus requires those same elements.
And finally, always make the most of every opportunity during these four short years. Any self-doubt and hesitation will only interfere with goals and the endless possibilities we have right at our fingertips. After all, it is simply our own doubts that which restrict us most.
PHOTO COURTESY of Deanna Morreale
