The new executive officers of the University's National Pan-Hellenic Council chapter were announced at a transition ceremony yesterday evening.
Third-year College student Sabrina Mendez will serve as president of the University's NPHC chapter for the 2008-09 term, along with second-year College student Isaac Bawuah as executive vice president, second-year College student Brittany Collins as assistant vice president, third-year College student Lisa Allen as secretary and third-year College student Leslie Lambert as treasurer. Third-year College student Erica Smith and third-year College student Reshaud Rich will both serve as the Council's Inter-Greek Council representatives.
Mendez said the executive officers plan to take advantage of the NPHC's ability to serve as "a unifying force for African-American students in Greek life," noting that it is part of the larger NPHC umbrella organization for historically black fraternities and sororities. The NPHC is traditionally composed of nine Greek organizations -- known as the "Divine Nine" -- although there are only eight chapters present at the University, Mendez said.
Service projects and cultural events at the University are a particular focus for the NPHC, outgoing NPHC president Zuri Darrell said.
"It gives us a voice," he said.
The NPHC's executive officers are also responsible for working with other student groups and University administrators, Darrell added, noting this was one of his favorite things about holding the position of president.
During his term as NPHC president, Darrell explained that he had three main goals for the organization: academic uplift, unity within the council and visibility in the University community. He explained that the NPHC is always building on these goals, but the third -- greater visibility -- was the hardest to achieve.
"We're a smaller council," he said, comparing the NPHC to other organizations on Grounds, and as a result, the organization is sometimes lesser known to the general University community.
Mendez said one of her main objectives for the year to come is to continue working on increasing NPHC's visibility. There are already plans in the works for events focusing on engaging members from the chapter organizations as well as other University students, she said.
As president for the year to come, Mendez said she plans to uphold the NPHC's main motto: "unanimity of thought and action."
Michael Citro, assistant dean of fraternity and sorority life, said he has worked closely with the members of the NPHC and looks forward to the year to come.
"Working with the NPHC and the chapters that are a part of them is a great opportunity," he said.
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