UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Shortly after the end of the semester and spring commencement, Penn State's Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life invited leaders from the Interfraternity Council (IFC), Multicultural Greek Council (MGC), National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and Panhellenic Council (PHC) to ELEVATE, a leadership retreat focusing on skill development and change within the fraternity and sorority community. The event was planned specifically with chapter presidents and executive board leaders in mind.
“The retreat is designed to equip leaders with the tools, strategies and mindset necessary to drive meaningful and sustainable change within their organizations and the broader fraternity and sorority community,” explained Carly Walter, associate director for community development and belonging in the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. “These leaders aren’t just talking about leadership; they’re living it. Leadership development opportunities such as ELEVATE empower fraternity and sorority leaders by creating a stronger sense of community at Penn State.”
More than 30 chapters across all governing councils participated in the three-day retreat. Guided by two experienced facilitators who are professionals in the fraternity and sorority life field, student leaders engaged in a series of large group discussions and small group breakout sessions. These activities encouraged participants to reflect deeply and embrace the overarching objectives to the ELEVATE retreat:
- Understand and define change: Identify the compelling reasons for change within their chapters and councils, assess their current environment, and explore how people, processes and systems are impacted.
- Communicate and engage effectively: Learn how to clearly articulate the “why” behind change, tailor messaging to different stakeholders, and facilitate two-way communication that builds trust and shared understanding.
- Prepare themselves and their organizations: Identify the new skills and behaviors needed to lead effectively, explore how to realign structures and responsibilities, and engage in meaningful training to build leadership capacity.
- Embed change into culture: Develop strategies to integrate change into daily operations, reinforce positive behaviors and create systems for continuous improvement that foster long-term success.
This immersive experience focused on developing strategies and initiatives based on a change management framework. Fraternity and sorority leaders explored how to manage change and embed long-term change within each of their organizations and councils through the introduction of different topics, interactive activities and robust small-group discussions.
Throughout the retreat, students were challenged to reflect not only on how they manage organizational change, but also how they personally lead through it and how their peers and Student Affairs staff can be a resource to them. By the end of the experience, participants returned to their communities equipped with a strategic plan for progress, a deeper understanding of effective leadership practices and a renewed commitment to shaping inclusive and purpose-driven cultures.
Whether a student would like to grow as a leader or build a stronger influence on their chapter, organization and community, ELEVATE is an exclusive opportunity to make a lasting impression.
Member of Alpha Phi Delta and returning Peer Leader Aiden D’Antonio has attended the last three ELEVATE retreats, first as a chapter leader, then as a peer leader and now as the vice president of chapter development for the Interfraternity Council.
“My biggest takeaway from the retreat is that, regardless of our chapter or council, we are one community," D'Antonio said. "We all have the same goals when it comes to our chapters. It is amazing to see that even though each of our organizations has its own unique characteristics, there is still commonality between all of us.”
For students seeking to deepen their leadership and strengthen their chapter’s legacy, ELEVATE is more than a retreat, it is a driving force for lasting change. Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life is committed to creating and sustaining a vibrant fraternity and sorority community where Penn State student leaders can grow as changemakers, collaborators and community builders. To learn more, visit the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life on the Student Affairs website or check it out on social media @PennStateFSL.