Staffing Announcement: Ashley Baudouin

I’m writing to share bittersweet news. I am stepping away from my role as the Assistant Dean and Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs to pursue new adventures in Greenville, South Carolina, and my last day at Lehigh will be Thursday, November 15, 2018.

I’ve been asked several times over by others to share my proudest moments and greatest achievements, and I’ve balked at the questions. Nothing we accomplish is singular, and no one ever got anything extraordinary done alone. My greatest achievements are the triumphs of those I have had the opportunity to serve (read: you) across my 6.5 year tenure at Lehigh. I am overcome with gratitude to have had worked with you all.

I’ll leave you with one final message, one I have shared many, many times over. Now more than ever, fraternal organizations need radical vision, leadership, and courage to further realign the experience we all value so deeply. There exists boundless potential for fraternal organizations, yours included, to promote a culture of excellence, advocate for social change, champion inclusion and equity, engage in controversy with civility, and develop globally-minded and conscientious leaders. Continue to challenge the process, think critically and limitlessly, idea and innovate, and employ sound judgement so that you might bring to fruition new ideas and opportunities to revolutionize the fraternity and sorority experience at Lehigh and beyond.

I believe (as I always have) that this community is up for the challenge. This community has a long-standing and proud history at Lehigh, and I look to you all to continue to lead the way forward and carry out your legacy in doing so.

Know that there are others at Lehigh who are as equally invested in supporting the fraternity and sorority community as I have been, and they’ll continue to support you in cultivating a meaningful fraternity and sorority experience. The OFSA staff, among many others, are strong advocates for you. Utilize them as a resource, and be open to their ideas.

-Ash
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Ashley came to Lehigh in July of 2012 as an Assistant Director in OFSA and was subsequently promoted to the role of Director in July 2015. During her time here she built very strong rapport with chapter members, alumni, parents, key campus partners and national offices in the furtherance of Lehigh’s goal to have a strong, values focused fraternity and sorority experience for our students. She has also been instrumental in maintaining a positive community after difficult chapter closures, and always putting students first in the goals of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. During her tenure as the director, the cutting edge accreditation program for chapters has been re-envisioned and improved and Lehigh University has been at the forefront of transparent communication concerning our Greek Community.

Under Ashley’s leadership the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs has developed and executed the Advisor Academy where people involved in the Fraternity and Sorority Community come together to strengthen relationships, exchange ideas, and create synergy with alumni partners. She was also instrumental in re-visioning Base Camp to incorporate design thinking concepts and challenge students to think more innovatively and creatively about their fraternity and sorority experiences. Overall her tenure in the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs has been marked with an increase in engagement, educational programming, and individual touch points with students. This has paid off in a more values focused Fraternity and Sorority System that has more trust in the people charged with overseeing that area of campus life.

As an Assistant Director of OFSA, Baudouin was the first AD to have a dotted line to the CSO. She led the charge to develop intentional partnership between OFSA and the CSO, which led to the transformation of how service and philanthropy is embedded within our Greek community. Baudouin has advised several environmental SERVE trips, from the resort like locale of the Maine trip to some of the roughest and most rustic of all sites in the history of serve. Ashley is also an Ibis of Service Award winner, one of the most prestigious awards within the Community Service Office which honors a dedication to a lifestyle of servant leadership.

Stay tuned for additional details regarding staffing support as well as details regarding a search process to fill the Director role.

Feature Friday: Nadia Michalewski, Kappa Delta

Applying to be an Orientation Leader is easily the best decision I have made at Lehigh so far. Becoming a part of the Office of First Year Experience staff is an experience unlike any other, and I believe my previous experience in Greek Life really helped me begin to develop skills that I was able to hone by being an OL.

When I first joined Kappa Delta, I was looking to step out of my comfort zone to make new relationships with the people around me. What I did not expect was to feel welcomed from the first second I walked into the house. This amazing group of girls I call my sisters helped my quiet self to slowly open up. I had new friends to study with in the library, to make delicious nachos with, and to create new memories. I had no idea the positive impact my chapter would begin to have on my communication skills and academic ability. Through the love and support of my sisters, I knew I had what it took to be an OL.

When I finally did become an OL and started training, I had no idea how impactful it would be. I first learned how to facilitate to a large group, which meant further developing my communication skills when working with others. This then helped me improve my leadership skills as I guided first-years through a smooth transition into the Lehigh community.

It was such a rewarding experience that really meant a lot to me. I became a part of something bigger than myself while making 80 new amazing friends in the process. Each person had a great personality along with a different aspect of the Lehigh community to showcase. The energy everyone brought to each and every meeting always left me with a smile on my face and so many memories that I will always cherish. Not only that, but being able to mentor a group of first-years and help them become more comfortable and familiar with the campus, made me feel like I had really accomplished something great.

Now, I take what I have learned back not only to the Greek community, but the Lehigh community as a whole. I gained so much more confidence not only in my ability to lead and mentor, but in myself as a person. I have a whole new group of friends I call my family and know that they will always be there for me as I am always there for them. From having deep and real conversations, to breaking out into random dance parties in the middle of the day, I would never change a thing about my experience as an Orientation Leader. My experiences as a member of the OFYE staff and our Greek community shaped who I am and help define my Lehigh experience.

Keep an eye out for Orientation Leader applications and be sure to apply!!

Feature Friday: Elizabeth Tully, Alpha Phi

Another UIFI experience shared by Elizabeth Tully, Alpha Phi...

The Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute (UIFI) is a five-day fully immersive experience that welcomes hundreds of collegiate fraternity and sorority members from throughout the United States. Held at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN, participants identified practical leadership skills by exploring critical issues in thought-provoking activities. By defining the challenges that our diverse communities face today, personal leadership potential was advanced. Collaboration with peers provided a platform that inspired confidence and success. UIFI fostered a spirit of passion and commitment amongst leaders who pledged to ensure and promote a positive fraternity and sorority relationship. UIFI commenced with initial dynamic teambuilding activities that resulted in lasting trust and friendship. By examining revolutionary leadership and individual identity, values, ethics, and conduct were integrated into everyday decision-making processes and conflict management. The harsh realities of the current state of fraternity and sorority life were held up against the ideal visions that founded our chapters. Through the creation of a UIFI “Blueprint”, participants were able to detail their plans of action that will combat resistance and ignite change. We were instructed by our dedicated and enthusiastic mentors to consider the “why” and root causes of the surrounding issues that plague our entire Greek community. These deep moments of reflection inspired my love for Alpha Phi and the continued prosperity of Lehigh University’s Greek affiliates. My UIFI journey was, at times, truly overwhelming and emotional. I was forced to look in the mirror and hold myself, my chapter and the Lehigh community accountable for its triumphs and failures. UIFI was truly an eye opening and inspiring experience that has motivated me to enact authentic change in my chapter and greater Greek community. I have transformed into a confident and genuine leader that is prepared to challenge the process, lead the way and live out my and Alpha Phi's values each and every day. I am eternally grateful that the Alpha Phi Foundation sponsored my attendance and is committed to enhancing the Greek experience for all of its sisters. Every member of the Greek community should participate in this life-changing institute. It’s not just for four years. It’s for life.

Feature Friday: Sarah Cohen, Kappa Alpha Theta

This summer I had the opportunity to represent the Epsilon Rho chapter at Kappa Alpha Theta’s Grand Convention in Orlando, Florida. Grand Convention occurs every other year as a chance for the fraternity to conduct business and celebrate all that we have accomplished. I was able to experience being a Theta on a much larger scale by attending leadership workshops and collaborating with women from across the US and Canada.

My weekend in Orlando was filled with learning and powerful connections. I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn about the experiences women have in their own chapters and make new friendships. I left Orlando inspired by the leading women in my organization. We discussed how joining a sorority is about belonging, not fitting in. Belonging is being accepted for you, while fitting in is being accepted for being like everyone else. At Grand Convention they encouraged us to focus on having members feel like they belong and are accepted despite their differences.

I am now ready to tackle my role in the Greek community with a new perspective. Grand Convention reminded me that being in Greek Life is not always about the events or meetings but the community. As a Panhellenic community, we support women to become their best selves and encourage them to make an impact on campus. Serving on Panhellenic Exec this year as the VP Greek Relations, I hope to bring what I learned at Grand Convention back to the chapters on campus. It is important to remember and embody our chapter values to create a space where members can laugh and cry together. Grand Convention inspired me to cultivate a positive community and remind others why sororities are an important space for women today.

Feature Friday: Base Camp!

Base Camp is a three-day overnight retreat with Greek leaders fostering authentic dialogue and placing emphasis on Collaborative Connections and Inclusive Leadership. Participants develop meaningful relationships and support networks to aid them in creating positive change to move the fraternity and sorority community forward.

At Base Camp, participants with different experiences and backgrounds engage in a variety of exercises and activities, called to play the role of both the teacher and the learner at different times throughout the weekend. Authentic conversation about the reality for our students and our fraternity and sorority community is necessary for creating positive change, and requires participants to move from their comfort zone to their learning edge throughout the experience. Base Camp is a setting which fosters such conversations, while allowing participants to develop relationships and meaningful support networks to aid them through their present and future challenges.

Some thoughts from Aisha Abdulkarimu, sister of Mu Sigma Upsilon...

My biggest takeaway from Base Camp is that although Greek life is separated into three councils and we feel as if we are going to different experiences and challenges we are actually going through similar challenges as Lehigh students and Greek life.

One highlight or an unexpected experience from Base Camp was realizing how big and deep a lot of the issues surrounding Greek Life is. They cannot be solved with the snap of a finger or simply one event but requires a deep analysis of social norm or even culture.

I hope after Base Camp to collaborate more with organizations within IFC and Panhel for any events, see members of IFC and Panhel more where they know my chapter sisters and me more, and as the Cultural Greek Council find a way to connect more.

Jacob Dooley, Phi Sigma Kappa and IFC Exec member shares his experience...

Going into base camp I was honestly a little skeptical at what the participation from the greek leaders and execs would look like. For many of us this was the first time interacting with each other for more than an hour a week, so to expect us to act cohesively and engage in challenging conversations I believed was a stretch. But I was wrong to think that.

The weekend was scheduled from sunrise to sunset with discussion, problem solving, and team building. All of it productive and by the end of base camp I felt energized to tackle the rest of the semester. Everyone was so supportive of each other, felt comfortable enough in the space to speak honestly, and overall it was a surprisingly enjoyable albeit chilly experience.

Moving forward I believe that we have the opportunity to enact sustainable proactive change within the greek community. I personally have an ambition to make greek life at Lehigh more inclusive which everyone in greek leadership can agree with, but beyond that I think that the councils are going to more actively look into what being a part of the Lehigh and Bethlehem community means to them and how they can give back. I am looking forward to meaningful collaboration not only within and between the councils, but also outside of greek life incorporating organizations that exist throughout the entire student body.

Farewell Brigette Gardner

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

Feature Friday: Meet Erin Andersen!

Meet Erin, the newest addition to our team!  She'll be advising IFC so stop by and say hi!

Name: Erin Andersen
Position: Assistant Director
Hometown: Savannah, Georgia
Educational Background: B.A in English and a M.Ed. in English Education from the University of North Georgia
Affiliation: Delta Zeta

Professional Highlights: For the past four years, I served as the Director of Member Education for Chi Phi Fraternity’s National Office in which I designed curriculum for national programs, worked with Chapters in regards to risk management, and helped to create a standardized new member education program. Previous to that I taught Freshman Composition courses at the University of North Georgia.

Why did you decide to pursue a career in fraternity and sorority affairs? While I was teaching on campus, I began serving as an advisor to a couple of different organizations. I found very quickly that this was my passion: working with students outside of a classroom setting where I could truly mentor them personally, professionally, and academically. And, given that my undergraduate Greek experience was a positive one, I knew I wanted to give back and help others see all the positives that Greek life had to offer (especially in regards to alumni support and networking).

What do you hope to do during your time at Lehigh University? I hope to build strong partnerships with students, faculty, and fellow staff as well as work with as many people as possible to help achieve the goals identified by OFSA, the Greek Councils and individual Chapters. My hope is that I can play a small roll in growing Greek life on campus along with showing the community the benefits that Greek Life has to offer.

What has been your impression of the Lehigh Greek Community so far? I have been incredibly impressed by everyone’s passion and energy! The one-on-one conversations I’ve had have shown that students are aware of their challenges, proud of their successes, and looking forward to this year being one of positive change. I am really looking forward to diving in and working with everyone, sharing ideas, and making this year a great one!