I’m writing to share bittersweet news. As many of you know, Brigette Gardner will be leaving us next week for an incredible opportunity as the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations at York College of Pennsylvania. In this new position, Brigette will be responsible for planning and implementing alumni events; working with undergraduate students and young alumni through the Student Alumni Association, Senior Class Officers, and Young Alumni Council; and managing marketing and communication efforts.
During Brigette’s tenure at Lehigh, she has served as the advisor to the Panhellenic Council alongside a dozen fraternities and sororities. Under her guidance, the Panhellenic Council worked to foster a more inclusive community; strengthened partnerships with the Center for Gender Equity to explore women’s leadership and empowerment; and made a conscious effort to dig into difficult conversations and make unpopular decisions that strengthened the sorority experience. She has been incredibly instrumental in supporting a student-driven Trans-inclusion Task Force that’s committed to creating an environment where transwomen feel welcomed and supported in pursing membership in our Panhellenic chapters. Brigette is also the leading expert behind OFSA’s social host training and risk reduction efforts, and she’s redeveloped curriculum for social host training alongside prevention messaging to students during high risk times across the year (e.g. Lehigh Lafayette Rivalry, Halloween Spring Break, etc.)
Brigette involvement also extends far beyond the fraternity and sorority community, as she’s worked closely with others across campus. Most notably, she’s participated in a collateral assignment with the Center for Gender Equity to gain a better understand feminist theories and engage in dialogue about gender equity. Through this work she has facilitated conversations regarding feminism, sexism, and gender equity as well as questioned policies, systems, and structures that perpetuate gender inequity. Her increased knowledge, awareness, and understanding in this area has greatly informed her work and several of our office’s signature programs.
We don’t know what we’ll miss most about Brigette. Perhaps watching her growth as she transitioned from an unpaid summer intern to professional staff member. Perhaps her #bosslady skills in event planning that grew the Fraternity and Sorority Leadership Awards program to a scale which rivals the Oscars. Perhaps her love of assessment and willingness to nerd out with others on measuring learning outcomes and capturing students’ insights to better inform our work. In short, we’re incredibly grateful to have called Brigette a colleague and friend.
Please join us in congratulating Brigette on this well-deserved opportunity. Her last day will be Friday, September 21, 2018.
We'll be in touch with details shortly regarding transition plans to cover Brigette's responsibilities following her departure.
Best,
Team OFSA