During the weekend of January 19, seventy student leaders including IFC, NPHC, and PHA chapter presidents and council executive boards headed to Windermere Conference Center for a beginning of the year leadership retreat called IMPACT. IMPACT is a program from the North American Interfraternity Conference and is a campus-based leadership institute designed to foster improved relationships among campus leaders through an intensive interactive program. The program also emphasizes problem solving, leadership and community development, effective communication, and values-based decision making. During the weekend, leaders also identified and confronted issues facing their chapters and the Fraternity and Sorority Life community as a whole.

Many of the participants commented on their favorite part of the weekend. Brittany Buchannon, NPHC Chapter President and member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. said “my favorite part about impact would have to be our break away sessions. This gave us the opportunity to speak freely and more candidly without much pressure from the entire retreat population. We were able to specify strategies to improve our councils as well as build more personal comfort and relationships with one another.” Alpha Chi Omega Chapter President, Alyssa Kohrs said, “I enjoyed the networking opportunities that I gained while I was at IMPACT. Getting to know all the other amazing people from the PHA, IFC, and NPHC community was so beneficial and making those connections will be useful for this upcoming year.”

The attendees gained lots of tools to help them conquer the upcoming year and make an impact on the community. Morgan Drury, Gamma Phi Beta Chapter President said, “I am most excited to make effective changes in our community this year. After having time to collaborate as leaders, we have talked about a few different things that we would like to accomplish together. I can’t wait to help improve not only my chapter but the FSL community as a whole!” Carter William, IFC President and member of Sigma Nu Fraternity said he learned a great deal about “creating cohesion across all of FSL.” He also commented about one of the sessions they attended saying, “we as FSL members truly dove into what our image is as a community[…] also addressing the harsh realities that our FSL community is encountering and working with others to plan strategies to address those realities.” Elliot McComas, Theta Chi Chapter President, shared, “I’m excited for the chance to put my chapter in a place where they can flourish into the best version of themselves. I want to use my position to empower our members to make an impact on campus and in the Springfield community and turn our culture into one that is built on service.”

We are so proud of the impact these leaders will make not only in their chapters, or in their councils, but across our campus and Springfield community this next year!