GreekRank is zeroing in on the sororities and fraternities across the country that embody what makes Greek life great. In our Profile series, you’ll have an opportunity to learn more about local chapters and what makes them unique. This week, we highlight the Beta Nu chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta at Florida State University.
One of the oldest sororities, Kappa Alpha Theta was established in 1870 as the first Greek-letter fraternity for women. In fact, it was one of the first fraternities that spread north of the country, when the Kappa Alpha Theta’s established a chapter and the first fraternity for women in Canada. At FSU, the Kappa Alpha Theta’s are known as a “leading women’s group” in the community and on campus, since their ideas and programs have often been on the cutting edge.
Their mission is to strive to exemplify the sorority’s core values of scholarship, leadership, service, personal excellence and friendship/sisterhood. Or, to “think Theta!”
Some of the Theta’s initiatives include their “Sisters Supporting Sisters” program, a mental health and wellness initiative. The girls work with mental health experts to implement educational programming that addresses women’s issues such as self-image, addictive behaviors, and healthy relationships. In a time where women are more pressured than ever to fit into a certain image and likeness, the program works on behalf of a importance and timely cause.
Other Theta programs include an Emerging Leaders Institute, which creates “agents of change” in the chapter by providing undergraduate sisters leadership education and development. The CEO Leadership Academy, a leadership workshop, is designed for Theta’s chief executive officers to help them apply leadership practices and learned skills to other areas of their lives. Theta also hosts an annual service trip for members, immersive experiences that are meant to provide direct service to a community. Past initiatives have teamed up with Habitat for Humanity, CASA, and more.
In fact, CASA is a significant aspect of the sorority and its foundation as its national philanthropy. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) was created by a juvenile court judge in the ‘70s to ensure that the abuse and neglect suffered by some children at home does not continue in the judicial system through programmatic initiatives. CASA is largely founded by the Theta Foundation, which awards a total of more than $1.1 million annually. Theta’s give to CASA in more ways than just financially. According to their website, they give “as thoughtful advocates, committed volunteers and generous donors. As individuals and as a fraternity, we say: ‘I am a Theta. I am for the child.’”
Aside from academics, leadership initiatives and philanthropy, the Theta girls exude positivity. Whether it’s sharing laughs through Pre-Recruitment, promoting the work and service of the sorority, or simply smiling, their optimism comes through immediately -- and across all of their social channels. With an in-house team that crafts internal enewsletters (the Beta Nus-letter!) and website updates, you can find the Theta sisters posting updates regularly on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram and more. See what the sisters have been up to over the summer!
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