Published digitally by Alpha Chi National College Honor Society. Founded February 22, 1922. Alpha Chi is an honor society for undergraduate juniors, seniors, and graduate students in all academic disciplines at colleges where a chapter is chartered. Alpha Chi is chartered as a non-profit organization by the State of Arkansas, and the name and emblem of the Society are registered with the U.S. Patent Office. Alpha Chi is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies. Kalo, ISSN 2836-5267 (online), is published each spring.
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
Right when you think you know what to expect, life will spin on you. After the exciting and successful launch of our first issue of Kalo in February 2023 at the National Convention in Albuquerque, Fall found Alpha Chi with a sudden staff departure that left us shorthanded and struggling to meet our publication deadlines.
That’s how life often seems to go—one step forward and two steps back. As anyone ten years your elder will assure you (even though you don’t want to hear it), difficulties often bring growth. There may be more challenging times ahead. Who am I kidding? There will be more problems ahead. However, understanding that challenges are inevitable equips us with a superpower.
What is this superpower? For me, it is perspective. Perspective is a particular way of looking at something. Up close, hardship can be incredibly overwhelming–even paralyzing. Up close, a problem can seem unsolvable. For instance, have you ever been so overwhelmed by a particular struggle that you cannot imagine ever being on the other side of it? Well, if you’re reading this, the good news is that you were able to get through it. Thinking back, does it feel like you can’t remember why that situation felt so insurmountable? I won’t minimize the toll grief and hardship take on us, but I can choose to practice stepping back to gain a broader perspective. It may not be a Clark Kent-level superpower, but it’s an effective one.
Maybe you haven’t been faced with a recent challenge but have wondered what the future holds. It’s the basic human condition to wonder about those things. It’s one reason writers write, scientists hypothesize, or artists create. Looking for a fresh perspective is the act of wondering—to see a situation from a different angle or in a different light. As I write this, I wonder if worrying is merely a less helpful version of wondering. Give yourself time to wonder and reflect this year.
The articles in this issue provide a glimpse of what it’s like to wonder and the power of a little perspective. From creating poetry to strategic planning to finding your passion in life, what makes our lives what they are can often be found at the intersection of beauty and tragedy.
As you can see, we managed to keep going, and now you have Kalo Volume 2, albeit a year late. After catching up with the Alpha Chi community in these pages, I hope you’ll find someone or a group of someones with whom to be wonder-full. And if they haven’t developed their perspective superpower, you might gently share a little of yours. That’s the good stuff Kalo is all about!
In scholarship and in service,
Lara Q. Noah Executive Directior
Cal State Bakerfield former president, Dr. Lynette Zelezny, poses with an Alpha Chi graduate at commencement. On the Cover
FEATURING
CHAPTER LIFE
POETRY SUBMISSIONS
4 7 9 11 14 15
2023 SCHOLARS HALL OF FAME
2024 SCHOLARS HALL OF FAME
MEMBER INTERVIEW: PIPER HALCROW
STAR & NOTABLE CHAPTERS
PRESIDENT’S CUP WINNER
16 19 20 21 24 25
A VISION FOR TOMORROW
ALPHA CHI: WE CONVENE!
WE ALL START SOMEWHERE: AN ALUMNA’S JOURNEY UNDERGRADUATES PUBLISHED: ALETHEIA
EMPOWERING SCHOLARS: THE $500K INITIATIVE
CHAPTER LIFE
Alpha Chi has hundreds of collegiate chapters across the country, and these chapters are where the true, beating heart of Alpha Chi can be found. On each of our campuses, Alpha Chi induction ceremonies, lunch meetings, and other local activities are where chapter advisors, chapter officers, and undergraduate and graduate student members get to interact with each other in the most memorable of ways.
NEWS FROM ANNUAL REPORTS
Each year active Alpha Chi chapters submit an annual report detailing their activities and accomplishments for the year. We love hearing about the special events our chapters are hosting throughout the year, and we’re proud to share a snapshot of them to inspire your chapter!
Members of the Tennessee Delta chapter at CarsonNewman University held a “Donuts Delight” fundraiser to welcome faculty, staff, and students back to campus after spring break. They sold bulk boxes of Krispy Kreme donuts and used the funds raised to purchase and donate 180 children’s books to Parrott Wood Memorial Library in Strawberry Plains, Tennessee.
Oklahoma Gamma members at East Central University held a fundraiser for the city of Sulphur, Oklahoma, which was hit by a tornado in April of 2024. The chapter worked hard to raise $400 and used the funds to purchase food and toiletries that were then distributed to those affected by the storm.
Lindenwood University recently celebrated the 75th anniversary of the university’s radio station, and the Missouri Pi chapter donated a painting by renowned local artist Cbabi Bayoc during the ceremony. Accompanying the painting was a plaque commemorating the occasion and highlighting the chapter’s commitment to inclusion, diversity, and belonging; themes that are evident in Bayoc’s art.
During the 2023 fall semester, the Pennsylvania Xi chapter at Pennsylvania College of Technology hosted a 5K race as a fundraiser to eliminate local chapter dues and reduce the cost of membership for new inductees. The chapter was honored with the “Student Engagement Award for Penn College Community Betterment” in recognition of their efforts to promote inclusivity and accessibility, and enough funds were raised to cover local dues for the 2024 inductees.
Commemorative plaque with painting by renowned local artist Cbabi Bayoc (Lindenwood)
Renowned local artist Cbabi Bayoc with his painting (Lindenwood)
Shorter University Alpha Chi members staff the finals week Fuel-Up Station
University of Jamestown members organizing donations for the Orphan Grain Train
Pennsylvania Xi also hosted a review session last May where members shared essential study skills with freshmen students to help them prepare for their final exams. Topics included effective use of the whiteboard method, strategies for individual and group studying, and creating an optimal study environment.
Dr. Doug Monk, the advisor for the Texas Alpha Sigma chapter at Schreiner University, went the extra mile when it came to this year’s induction ceremony. Candidates for membership received hand-delivered, printed invitations signed by the University president. During the ceremony, each new member was pinned by an esteemed faculty member and received honor cords along with their membership certificates. The chapter also held a special pinning ceremony in the campus labyrinth where candles were lit to symbolize the Lamp of Knowledge. Both ceremonies were heavy on pomp and circumstance, and the event turned out to be a huge success!
Alpha Chi students at University of Jamestown held a clothing drive for the Orphan Grain Train, a network that gathers and distributes relief supplies to underserved communities around the world. The North Dakota Alpha chapter was able to collect and donate 30 boxes of clothing to the organization.
The University of Texas at Tyler created a scholarship in honor of a late faculty member from the university’s Academy of Distinguished Teachers. The Texas Alpha Xi chapter donated $550 to the scholarship fund, and nine students were selected as recipients of an award.
CHAPTER PROGRAMMING GRANTS
Alpha Chi offers grants of up to $500 a year to active chapters to help finance a variety of programming and activities on campus. With three program categories, your chapter is sure to find one to suit the spirit of your chapter and your local student body. Read more about the Chapter Programming Grants here, and gather inspiration from the chapter activities that were funded by chapter grants this year:
The Nebraska Alpha chapter at Hastings College received a $250 chapter grant to throw a Jeopardystyle game night called “Bronco Brain Buster.” Students competed in teams to win prizes by answering a variety of academic and pop culture trivia questions.
Honors students at Lindenwood University attended a workshop hosted by the Missouri Pi chapter where they learned about successful resume and interview strategies. Dr. Justine Pas and Dr. Kathi Vosevich, the chapter’s advisors, also spoke on the value of lifelong learning and
the significance of power skills in the students’ careers and lives. The chapter received a $400 grant from Alpha Chi in support of the event.
During finals week at Shorter University, the Georgia Theta chapter used their $400 activity grant to host a “Fuel Up” event where they supplied free snacks to students on campus, giving them the energy and brain power to succeed in their exams.
CHAPTERS CONNECT EVENTS
Alpha Chi’s Chapter Enrichment Committee invites chapters to collaborate with and encourage each other whether it be through collaborative face-to-face events or by creating virtual events that can help build bridges from one chapter to another. We call these “Chapters Connect” events and hope you will consider the benefits of such chapter activities.
1. Host a Chapters Connect Event – Host and share a virtual event for national member participation. It could be a presentation, an event that you stream, a panel discussion, an academic or social meet-up, a collaborative conversation, or whatever else you might dream up. Add it to the national calendar and get help promoting your event by submitting this form to the National Office.
2. Collaborate with Neighbors – Arrange a faceto-face event with a nearby chapter. Host a multicampus scholar event, shared field trip, networking event, convention presentation dress rehearsal, or a watch party. Attend another chapter’s induction to welcome their new members. Engage in collaborative research or a shared service project initiative or
Schreiner University new inductee with certificate
meetup. We look forward to hearing about what you did and will likely share it in a newsletter or on our social media.
3. Mentor New Chapters – Reach out to friends and colleagues at nearby institutions that do not yet have an Alpha Chi chapter, and encourage them to start one. With the help of the National Office, guide them in forming a chapter and getting it off the ground. Show them the benefits of Alpha Chi and help us to grow!
Here are a few events that have already taken place under this initiative:
• Kansas Delta: How to Survive the Apocalypse with Dr. Katherine Hill
• Research Feedback Blitz for Social Science Majors
• Research Feedback Blitz for Natural, Physical, and Applied Science Majors
• Fine Arts Connect: Conversations on AI
• Online Discussion Group: Legacy of the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement Panel
2024 NATIONAL SERVICE LEADERS
Each year Alpha Chi looks for a way to engage chapters and members in a broad national service initiative. In conjunction with the 2024 convention in Birmingham, Alabama, the Sock-It-To-Me Sock Drive was promoted to help collect new socks for those in need anywhere in the world.
While many chapters participated, four Alpha Chi chapters entered a national competition in which they were asked to collect and donate socks to a local organization and to provide the reason they selected that organization, how
the project was indicative of the mission and values of Alpha Chi, and how it tied into themes of social justice and leadership. The four chapters below were named Alpha Chi’s National Service Leaders for 2024, and each walked away with a one-of-a-kind prize: a giant, sleeping bag-sized Alpha Chi sock handmade by our very own Dr. Teddi Deka, Missouri Western State University chapter advisor and National Council Secretary.
The Texas Psi Chapter at Abilene Christian University donated socks to the Christian Service Center in Abilene, Texas, a group that assists people by providing basic needs such as food, rent assistance, and clothing.
The North Carolina Epsilon Chapter at Mars Hill University chose to donate their collection of socks to the Western Carolina Rescue Ministries, a local women’s shelter in Asheville, North Carolina. Their chapter also hosted a bake sale to raise money for The Lotus House, the biggest homeless shelter for women and children in the United States.
The Rhode Island Alpha Chapter at Roger Williams University chose the Providence Rescue Mission to receive the socks and additional proceeds that they collected. This organization offers physical, emotional, educational, and rehabilitative services to any community members in need.
And finally, the Oklahoma Theta Chapter at Southeastern Oklahoma State University donated their collected socks to the Ron Cross Senior Activity Center in Durant, Oklahoma. Their decision was influenced by the challenges facing many in the elderly community: financial instability, limited mobility, chronic illness, and lack of comfort, to name a few.
From left to right: Dr. Teddi Deka, Missouri Western University advisor and National Council Secretary; Dr. Jessica Henry, Hastings College advisor and National Council Member-at-Large; Dr. Teagan Decker, University of North Carolina at Pembroke advisor and National Council Memberat-Large; and Dr. Bonita Cade, Roger Williams University advisor and National Council Vice President
2023 SCHOLARS WALL OF FAME
HANNAH BARR
(Mars Hill University ‘22) won the $3000 H.Y. Benedict Fellowship for the submission “Social Action Policy Project.”
ISABELLA BONDER
(University of New England ‘23) won the $3000 H.Y. Benedict Fellowship for the submission “Preventative Treatment of Li-Fraumeni Syndrome Through the Use of p53 Gene Therapy and Combination Drugs.”
JASMIN BUFFENN
(Huntington University ‘23) won the $2000 Gaston/Nolle Cooperative Scholarship for the submission “Variation Analyses of Carotenoid Metabolites and Gene Expression Across Multiple Tomato Accessions.”
CHEYENNE BURNS
(Lindenwood University ‘22) won the $4000 Robert W. Sledge Fellowship for the submission “Beyond Blackface: Minstrel Shows In Modern America.”
FAITH CUMMINGS
(Christopher Newport University ‘23) won the $2000 Alfred H. Nolle Scholarship for the submission “Photoactivation Reduces the OffTarget Toxicity of Platinum-Based Chemotherapies.”
HOLLY DASHER
(University of Mary Hardin-Baylor ‘22) won the $3000 H.Y. Benedict Scholarship for the submission “Paper vs. Online Assessments: A Study of Test-Taking Strategies for STAAR Reading Tests.”
CHLOE DEFFNER
(Abilene Christian University ‘22) won the $3000 H.Y. Benedict Fellowship for the submission “The Rise and Fall of the British National Party: A Theory-Infirming and Confirming Case Study of Electoral Characteristics.”
ARALIYA DOOLDENIYA
(Abilene Christian University ‘22) won the $2000 Alfred H. Nolle Scholarship for the submission “A Women’s Renaissance and Early Feminism.”
JOSHUA FISHER
(Grace College ‘23) won the $2000 Alfred H. Nolle Scholarship for the submission “An Ethical Consideration of Trends in Electric Vehicle Production: The Importance of Developing Green Technology in a Green Way.”
JENNIFER FRISELLA
(Westminster ‘22) won the $3000 Edwin W. Gaston, Jr. Scholarship for the submission “The Presidential Power of Executive Orders and their Role in the National Security Enterprise.”
MARIUS GRYTDAL (Milligan University ‘22) won the $2000 Alfred H. Nolle Scholarship for the submission “Understanding Cryptocurrencies: The Current Problem and the Future of the New Technology.”
DAMIAN HUTCHINS
(Gardner-Webb University ‘17) won the $6000 Joseph E. Pryor Fellowship for the submission “Personalized Immunocompetent Tumor-on-a-Chip Platform Produces Tumor-Reactive Cytotoxic Lymphocytes.”
SCHYLER JONES
(Lipscomb University ‘21) won the $4000 Walden S. Freeman Fellowship for the submission “Pope Joan: From Misogynist Mechanism to Feminist Figure.”
ETHAN JONES
(Southern Methodist University ‘22) won the $2000 Alfred H. Nolle Scholarship for the submission “On the Web, Off the Grid.”
HEATHER KNOTT
(Bridgewater College ‘21) won the $2000 Sledge/Benedict Cooperative Fellowship for the submission “Developing an Electroporation Method for Transforming Streptomyces nymphaeiformis”
MICHELLE LOMINAC
(Gardner-Webb University ‘21) won the $2000 Alfred H. Nolle Scholarship for the submission “The New Public Square: How the First Amendment Affects Government Officials’ Social Media Presence.”
SYDNEY MOTL
(Ouachita Baptist University ‘21) won the $3000 Edwin W. Gaston, Jr. Scholarship for the submission “Behind the Comedy: The Failed Reach for Female Agency in Shakespearean Comedy.”
MICAH MOULDER
(Gardner-Webb University ‘22) won the $2000 Alfred H. Nolle Scholarship for the submission “TikTok and the Reliability to Self-Diagnose Mental Illnesses.”
ALYSSA POWERS
(Belmont University ‘22) won the $3000 H.Y. Benedict Fellowship for “Lasting Implications of the Tennessee Valley Authority Kingston Fossil Plant Coal Ash Spill on the Environmental Health of Tennessee.”
MARCELO SALAZAR-BARRAGAN
(Southwestern University ‘21) won the $3000 H. Y. Benedict Fellowship for the submission “Evidence for Linkage of the White Eye Color and Singed Bristles Genes in Drosophila melanogaster.”
TESSA STUTZMAN
(Huntington University ‘22) won the $4000 Dennis M. Organ Fellowship for the submission “Diet Diversity in East Africa–Diets, Factors, and Solutions.”
CHLOE SULLIVAN
(Christopher Newport University ‘21) won the $3000 H. Y. Benedict Fellowship for the submission “The Seeds of Knowledge and Power: British Colonial Education in India.”
RACHEL SWICK
(SUNY Brockport ‘22) won the $3000 H. Y. Benedict Fellowship for the submission “The Fast-Food Industry: An Analysis of Chipotle Mexican Grill.”
CHLOE VAUGHN
(Belmont University ‘20) won the $4000 Robert W. Sledge Fellowship for the submission “Faith & Trust: Religion’s Impact on Political Trust.”
LINDEN WILLIAMSON
(Texas Lutheran College ‘22) won the $2000 Alfred H. Nolle Scholarship for the submission “Effects of Thermal Exposure on Metabolic and Cardiovascular Functions in the Milk Snail (Otala lactea).”
2024 SCHOLARS WALL OF FAME
NEAL BLANK
(Erskine College ‘21) won the $3000 H.Y. Benedict Fellowship for the submission “Law Enforcement in Crime Magazines: A Decline in Positive Portrayal.”
PARKER BOONE
(East Texas Baptist University ‘23) won the $3000 H.Y. Benedict Fellowship for the submission “Federal Power and State Sovereignty: Debates and Dynamics from the Constitutional Convention to the Whiskey Rebellion.”
JEONG WON (DANIEL) CHANG
(Freed-Hardeman University ‘23) won the $2000 Gaston/ Nolle Cooperative Scholarship for the submission “Protocol for the Construction and Implementation of a CRISPR-Cas9 Based Cytosine Base Editor in Pectobacterium versatile.”
SARAH CROWSEY
(William Carey University ‘20) won the $3000 H.Y. Benedict Fellowship for the submission “Investigating Biofilm Formation on Polymer Substrates Via Flow Cells.”
NATALIE CUBA
(Christopher Newport University ‘23) won the $2000 Alfred H. Nolle Scholarship for the submission “The Relationship Between Theory of Mind Deficits and Youth Criminal Offending.”
SHELBY CUMBIE
(University of Texas at Tyler ‘21) won the $2000 Alfred H. Nolle Scholarship for the submission “A ‘Man’s’ Disease: The Leading Cause of Death for Women Worldwide.”
PIPER DESORCIE
(University of New England ‘23) won the $3000 H.Y. Benedict Fellowship for the submission “One Health approach to preventing the spread of SARSCoV-2.”
JORDYN DUFFY
(Hastings College ‘22) won the $4000 Robert W. Sledge Fellowship for the submission “Synthesis of the Novel Compound 1-tert-Butyl-3-Propylimidazolium Iodide.”
DESTINY FORREST
(University of Arkansas at Monicello ‘24) won the $2000 Alfred H. Nolle Scholarship for the submission “Sartre’s Physical and Psychological Wall: The Philosophy of Autonomy.”
EMMA FRENCH
(Southwestern University ‘23) won the $3000 Edwin W. Gaston, Jr. Scholarship for the submission “Gender and Skate Culture.”
ALTHEA GORDON-SCOTT
(Southwestern University ‘23) won the $6000 Joseph E. Pryor Fellowship for the submission “Strategic Plan for the Lack of Motivation Among Employees.”
CALEB HORTON
(William Carey University ‘23) won the $3000 Edwin W. Gaston, Jr. Scholarship for the submission “Lambs and Tygers.”
TRISTAN JOHN-JANDLES
(Grand Canyon University ‘24) won the $2000 Alfred H. Nolle Scholarship for the submission “Shaping the Future: Doubling Down on the CHIPS Act.”
LOGAN KOEHNE
(University of Indianapolis ‘23) won the $2000 Sledge/Benedict Cooperative Fellowship for “The Relationship Between Tissue Deoxygenation Rate and Fatigue Index for Repeated-Sprint Ability.”
CHARLOTTE OPRIS
(Nova Southeastern University ‘22) won the $3000 H.Y. Benedict Fellowship for the submission “The New Global Wave of Authoritarianism: An Inevitable Economic Downfall?”
REBECCA LUCKEY
(Huntington University ‘23) won the $2000 Alfred H. Nolle Scholarship for “Was America’s Involvement with Vietnam a ‘Noble Cause’ (Ronald Reagan) or ‘Moral and Intellectual Poverty’ (Jimmy Carter)?”
ZACHARY MERHAVY
(Grand Canyon University ‘16) won the $3000 Pryor/Organ/ Freeman Cooperative Fellowship for the submission “Sexual Health Preparedness Among Medical Students.”
SYDNEY MOTL
(Ouachita Baptist University ‘21) won the $3000 H.Y. Benedict Fellowship for “‘Think of the children’: The Rejection of Motherhood for Self-Realization in Chopin’s The Awakening and Treadwell’s Machinal.”
NATALIE OSBORNE
(Grand Canyon University ‘23) won the $3000 H.Y. Benedict Fellowship for the submission “Challenges of D1 College Student-Athletes and the Development of Transition Programs.”
HETTIE PEEK
(Union University ‘23) won the $2000 Alfred H. Nolle Scholarship for the submission “Floristic Survey of the Vascular Plants of the Pictsweet Mitigation Site.”
ALYSSA POWERS
(Belmont University ‘22) won the $4000 Dennis M. Organ Fellowship for the submission “Women Empowering Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health Program Plan.”
NIQOLAS RUUD
(Grand Canyon University ‘20) won the $4000 Walden S. Freeman Fellowship for the submission “George McCready Price and Seventh-Day Adventism’s Influence on the Rise of Modern Creationism.”
KARLA DANIELA SALAZAR CHAVIRA (Grand Canyon University ‘23) won the $4000 Robert H. Sledge Fellowship for “Supporting our Most Vulnerable First-Gen Students: The Role of Immigration Status in the Pursuit of Higher Education.”
ARTEMII UDOVENKO
(Missouri Western State University ‘23) won the $3000 H.Y. Benedict Fellowship for the submission “Prejudice and Comprehensibility of Accented Speech in Hiring Decisions.”
ALESSANDRO URLATI
(Hastings College ‘23) won the $2000 Alfred H. Nolle Scholarship for “The Dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan: the US and EU Involvement in the Conflict and a Policy Recommendation.”
SAMUEL WINBURN
(Texas State University ‘22) won the $2000 Alfred H. Nolle Scholarship for the submission “Iran and the West: The Oil Dispute from 19511953.”
AN INTERVIEW WITH PIPER HALCROW
When Piper Halcrow joined Alpha Chi in 2021 as an undergraduate at Carson-Newman University in Tennessee, she had no idea that a few years later she would have experienced two life-changing internships, started working as a Mechanical Engineer, and find herself speaking at a national engineering conference. Read Alpha Chi’s interview with Piper to learn more of her story.
Piper, describe to us the moment you found out you had been accepted to the University of Notre Dame for graduate study and what it meant to you.
I assumed acceptance letters would come by mail, so I didn’t think much of it when I got an email from Notre Dame. It was the last school I’d applied to, submitting my application in December after years of being intrigued by the university. I had visited as an undergrad but dismissed it due to cost. However, when searching for grad schools, I decided to revisit Notre Dame. They were waiving application fees at the time, so I knew I had to apply. Notre Dame was the first to respond, offering admission in February, while other schools took until April. Their financial aid offer stood out, and though I waited for other responses, nothing topped Notre Dame. When I opened the email and saw the offer, it felt surreal—like fate. I felt truly blessed, though it wasn’t until orientation that I stopped feeling “lucky.” Our orientation speakers reassured us that we were chosen for our hard work, not by chance. That’s when I realized I belonged. Being a student at Notre Dame is a significant responsibility—balancing professionalism, teaching, research, and study while upholding its reputation. I am proud to represent this school and couldn’t be happier.
Can you share some of the challenges you faced during your undergraduate studies and how you overcame them?
When I was writing my thesis at Carson-Newman University, I wanted to combine my majors of Physics and Communications, so I studied how engineers communicate in the workplace. There were a lot of rewrites and data to sift through, but I knew the results would be worth it. I made time to sit down with my advisors every single week for two years so I could get things correct. Between trial and error, surveys, and corrections, I found that the most productive and efficient engineer was one who was well-rounded and could communicate with people from technological and non-technological backgrounds. That’s when I knew I had made a good choice to double major in Communications and Physics.
How did you land an internship with Warner Brothers Discovery as an undergraduate, and what was the most exciting part of that experience?
After being accepted, I thought to myself, “Why me?” My boss said that my characteristics, personality, and drive made me stand out above the rest. She wasn’t looking for experience; she was looking for a team player who wanted to learn and could help her with the workload. At the time, Warner Bros. and Discovery had just merged, so I worked on merging the streaming platforms and uploading episodic thumbnail images to the app. It was very tedious and timeconsuming with a very small team, so the intern had to be on top of their work. I worked across 17 different shows and 514 episodes, and it was really rewarding to see images I had selected out on the existing app. But the best part was meeting a wonderful team that I still communicate with today. Being a part of their family and their accepting environment was so helpful. Each team member was an excellent partner and always took the time to help me when I needed it. I will never forget their kindness.
What were some of the key skills you learned during that internship that you hoped would be valuable in your graduate studies?
One of the biggest skills I developed was communicating and maintaining a relationship with other departments. I would get on Zoom calls with people working for Warner Bros. Discovery in different time zones, countries, and continents. It was truly amazing to see how departments with different skills and knowledge stayed productive. I learned how to effectively communicate with different departments which really helped in my grad work. For example, my research topic was not only aerospace and mechanical engineering but also computational and nuclear
engineering. To do my research effectively, I needed to communicate with others that have more knowledge than me about my topic and then continually meet up with them to discuss and modify my findings and experiments.
How did you balance preparing for graduate school and internship responsibilities?
Luckily, my Warner Brothers internship was Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., so I had weekends free to work on applications or learn different programs that would help benefit my career goals. During my NASA internship, I taught myself SolidWorks and how to do 3D model engineering designs because it was something I knew I needed for future jobs that I had not learned yet, and I ended up loving it!
How did you land an internship with NASA as a graduate student, and what was the most exciting part of that experience?
While I was writing my undergraduate honor’s thesis, I interviewed several engineers in various fields and companies. One of the engineers I interviewed worked for NASA. In January before my summer internship with NASA, I asked if she knew of any spots open for a mechanical engineer, and she invited me to join her team that summer as a software engineer! Like my Warner Bros. Discovery internship, she was not looking for years of experience but someone with a good attitude who was eager to learn new things. While at NASA, I developed the launch control system software for the Artemis missions that included writing, debugging, and troubleshooting software as well as participating in and facilitating code
inspections, researching performance issues, writing automated tests, analyzing automated test output, and assisting with enhancing an automated test framework. That summer I also enjoyed a front row seat to rocket launches off the coast of Merritt Island, Florida, several times a week. It’s an incredible experience to feel and hear a rocket launch off the ground as well as the sonic boom from when the boosters land. The ground shakes and you feel it in your chest! Experiencing those powerful rocket launches firsthand is a marvel of engineering, and it was a dream to be able to contribute to NASA’s mission of space exploration. The ability to use man-made materials and engineer them in a way to get a bucket of bolts filled with humans off the ground safely is fascinating and inspiring. I get emotional when thinking about what can be created by so many people working together.
Who have been your mentors or role models throughout your academic and professional journey?
Walt Disney was my biggest role model as a kid. I admired his dedication to making others happy and dreamed of doing the same by engineering roller coasters. His quotes have always inspired me, like “All dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” Recently my mom reminded me of another favorite: “We keep moving forward, opening new doors and doing new things because we’re curious, and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” Disney taught me to believe in the power of courage and curiosity to achieve my dreams. My dad reinforced this mindset with advice that stuck with me: “Life is never over unless you stop learning.” This sparked my curiosity about the world, motivating me to explore, learn, and absorb as much as possible—from changing my tire to climbing Mount Everest. Thanks to my parents and Walt Disney, I’ve embraced learning and curiosity as guiding principles in both my academic and professional journey. Life is never dull when there’s always something new to discover!
Now that you have graduated with your M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, what are your plans?
Since graduating with my M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Notre Dame, I have joined the Kansas City National Security Campus (KCNSC) team managed by Honeywell Manufacturing & Technologies as a Mechanical Engineer. KCNSC is a world-class engineering and manufacturing facility that creates a variety of non-nuclear products. Its teams are dedicated to keeping the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile safe, secure, and reliable. I am excited to contribute to important work that protects our country.
What interesting opportunities have you had since becoming a mechanical engineer?
Speaking as a panelist at last fall’s national conference for the Society of Women Engineers was an absolute honor. I was able to connect with so many hard-working women
and share my journey with them to help them navigate their early careers. It was such an empowering conference for both attendees and speakers. I would fully recommend attending the SWE conference as it was a great way to network, learn ways to shape and further your career, listen to inspiring women, and get the opportunity to be interviewed for a job or internship. In fact, it was where I applied, interviewed, and received my KCNSC job.
ALPHA CHI’S INFLUENCE
What role did Alpha Chi’s values and mission play in shaping your career goals and the path you’ve chosen to pursue?
Alpha Chi’s values of promoting personal growth through diversity and equipping compassionate listeners and leaders were important in shaping my career goals and path. I knew that to be an effective researcher and wellrounded individual I would need to be an excellent listener, become a leader, and grow with others by my side. This helped shape who I am and allowed me to invest time in becoming a better person to achieve these goals which helped in my career.
How did being a part of Alpha Chi at Carson-Newman influence your personal and professional growth?
My experiences with the Tennessee Delta chapter shaped my academic journey by providing me with the ability to use my creative freedom to research my passions. This eventually led me down the road of aerospace and
mechanical engineering. The connections and friendships that I made are ones to last a lifetime, and their support and encouragement have helped me advance in my academic career.
My chapter also volunteered a lot, and my fondest memory was helping Dr. Amanda Ford, our chapter advisor, set up events every year. She was funny and professional, helped review my papers before I submitted them, and always encouraged my writing.
What advice would you give to other Alpha Chi members who are pursuing a similar path in academia or industry?
My biggest advice for someone pursuing a similar path is to also become well-rounded in areas other than your primary academic or professional interest. I would work on communication and customer service, being a team player, survival skills, and staying creative. What you’re not easily great at is what you should be working on. Once you become well-rounded, I guarantee you will stand out.
What message would you like to leave for your fellow Alpha Chi members as you embark on this new chapter of your life?
Hold your head up. There is a path for you even if you can’t see it yet. Don’t fret if you don’t know, but instead lean on those friends and colleagues who support you. You know that you have put the work in; now let your efforts be noticed, and trust me they will. Enjoy your time in Alpha Chi and keep learning. Life is never over if you remain willing to learn!
STAR & NOTABLE CHAPTERS
Each year, Alpha Chi recognizes chapters that have met a high number of criteria indicating optimal chapter effectiveness. Our STAR chapters met all of the required criteria, and our NOTABLE chapters met nearly all of those same criteria. The chapters that earned these designations received certificates for display on their campuses.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought sudden changes to academic and chapter life on college campuses starting in the spring of 2020, making it harder for chapters to meet the criteria. Despite these challenges, some of our chapters still managed to rise to the occasion, finding safe and creative ways to continue their Alpha Chi inductions and activities. We congratulate these chapters who were able to continue meeting these criteria during the last two greatly challenging years!
For Academic Year 2022-23
STAR CHAPTERS
Abilene Christian University, Texas Psi, Region I
Brescia University, Kentucky Delta, Region V
California State University, Bakersfield, California Iota, Region VII
Carson-Newman University, Tennessee Delta, Region III
East Central University, Oklahoma Gamma, Region III
Fresno Pacific University, California Zeta, Region VII
Gardner-Webb University, North Carolina Zeta, Region III
Grand Canyon University, Arizona Alpha, Region VII
Huntington University, Indiana Beta, Region V
Kansas Wesleyan University, Kansas Delta, Region IV
Lindenwood University, Missouri Pi, Region IV
Lipscomb University, Tennessee Kappa, Region III
Lyon College, Arkansas Iota, Region II
Mars Hill University, North Carolina Epsilon, Region III
Missouri Western State University, Missouri Lambda, Region IV
Ouachita Baptist University, Arkansas Beta, Region II
Texas State University, Texas Iota, Region I
NOTABLE CHAPTERS
Angelo State University, Texas Alpha Iota, Region I
Bridgewater College, Virginia Gamma, Region III
Chowan University, North Carolina Phi, Region III
Colby-Sawyer College, New Hampshire Alpha, Region VI
Cottey College, Missouri Tau, Region IV
Freed-Hardeman University, Tennessee Iota, Region III
Hawaii Pacific University, Hawaii Beta, Region VII
Missouri Valley College, Missouri Sigma, Region IV
Southeastern University, Florida Lambda, Region III
Southern Methodist University, Texas Alpha Omega, Region II
SUNY Brockport, New York Omicron, Region VI
Texas A&M University – Texarkana, Texas Beta Alpha, Region II
Texas Lutheran University, Texas Alpha Delta, Region I
University of Arkansas at Monticello, Arkansas Zeta, Region II
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Texas Beta, Region I
Univ. of North Carolina at Pembroke, NC Kappa, Region III
Waldorf University, Iowa Iota, Region IV
Wayland Baptist University, Texas Alpha Eta, Region I
West Liberty University, West Virginia Epsilon, Region V
For Academic Year 2023-24
STAR CHAPTERS
Abilene Christian University, Texas Psi, Region I
Carson-Newman University, Tennessee Delta, Region III
Fresno Pacific University, California Zeta, Region VII
Gardner-Webb University, North Carolina Zeta, Region III
Grand Canyon University, Arizona Alpha, Region VII
Hastings College, Nebraska Alpha, Region IV
Huntington University, Indiana Beta, Region V
Lindenwood University, Missouri Pi, Region IV
Mars Hill University, North Carolina Epsilon, Region III
NOTABLE CHAPTERS
Belmont University, Tennessee Eta, Region III
California State University, Bakersfield, California Iota, Region VII
Harding University, Arkansas Eta, Region II
Lake Superior State University, Michigan Gamma, Region V
Lipscomb University, Tennessee Kappa, Region III
Missouri Western State University, Missouri Lambda, Region IV
Ouachita Baptist University, Arkansas Beta, Region II
Shorter University, Georgia Theta, Region III
Southwestern University, Texas Alpha, Region I
University of Arkansas at Monticello, Arkansas Zeta, Region II
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Texas Beta, Region I
University of Texas at Tyler, Texas Alpha Xi, Region II
Wayland Baptist University, Texas Alpha Eta, Region I
West Liberty University, West Virginia Epsilon, Region V
Westminster College, Missouri Delta, Region IV
For more information on how chapters can earn these special designations, visit AlphaChiHonor.org/star-and-notable-chapters.
Kalo looks forward to featuring more chapter news and member faces in its next issue.
Photograph your events with a keen eye toward showcasing your chapter’s activities in the next issue of Kalo
ARIZONA ALPHA TAKES HOME
THE COVETED PRESIDENT’S CUP
With a large delegation in tow, the Alpha Chi chapter at Grand Canyon University celebrated in style upon receiving the 2024 President’s Cup for Outstanding Chapter of the Year at the national convention’s Awards Gala last spring in Birmingham, Alabama. This distinguished award, given at each in-person national convention since 1987, recognizes the excellent achievements of the winning chapter and its members.
Chapters are nominated by their regions and go on to prepare an extensive catalog of achievements and benchmarks that are presented to a panel of judges shortly before the convention. Grand Canyon University was nominated by Region VII for this prestigious accolade along with the chapter at Lindenwood University, nominee of Region IV.
According to the Awards and Honors Committee, the Arizona Alpha Chapter “truly made a remarkable impact on both its campus and broader community, inspiring us all with their pursuit of excellence.” They were applauded for their extensive work on their campus, which included multiple professional development and networking opportunities, a week dedicated to service, and collaborations with other on-campus honor societies. The chapter also boasted a large number of scholarship applicants, student presenters, and convention attendees.
Congratulations to the Arizona Alpha chapter at Grand Canyon University as it continues to make scholarship effective for good!
Any active chapter of Alpha Chi may work toward achieving this award which is the highest honor a chapter can receive. Does your chapter want to take home the President’s Cup in 2026? Start reviewing the criteria and be ready to vie for your region’s nomination during the 2025 virtual convention.
UNTOUCHED WOMAN BY LORIA
Vacuum
HARRIS
Loria Harris is a student in the MFA Writing program at Lindenwood University and is a member of the Missouri Pi chapter there. Published in Reverie Literary Magazine, Winged Penny Review, The Freak!, and others, she is a recipient of the Jim Haba Poetry Award and the Alyson Dickerman Poetry Prize. A lifelong multicreative, Loria holds a B.A. in Music Performance and works as a professional portrait photographer.
I haven’t touched a vacuum in over a year. I go months and months between touches. It’s the sound, the buzz, the vibration of my bones. It’s the simplicity of cleaning a rug with a broom. No, I’m not known for my cleanliness, but it’s not cleaning that frightens me. It’s equilibrium and safety. Have you felt the world without the vacuum’s shake? How can you be sure? Have you seen the sky with high piled dust, glittering through the window’s light? Have you seen the flora that grows in the grass, in the lawn, when we leave it alone? How children, absent of our direction, find a robin’s nest and have no desire to knock it down? How they peep as greasy-skinned amalgamations erupt from blessed blue into tainted tan. Without our touch, how sometimes things glow? How can you be sure?
They Call Nature a Woman
They call you a woman.
As if we’re identified by our moods, our swings, a pendulum, only known for movement. They call you a woman.
A nurturer, a cornucopia of life, giving without request in return. I say, you are a sea monster, a monster that is the sea itself.
You hold the waves, you hold the salt of your fluid, your air, you cradle living creatures in an amniotic sac while
you test them in washing agitation, overturning mighty ships, but you know your own control. You always have. You hold in balance the weight
of tsunami, the ruined homes, the splintered wood and carcasses beached, the gentle tidepools that are also your legacy.
What you spit out is alive. What you say, becomes.
The word from the beginning.
Mine For a friend
Her warmth like the cooling coals after a fire’s rage, pleasant enough to tame, gently to heat.
Her frame small and sweet, a daffodil stem, but rooted enough against selfish wind. She can be leaned on.
She is a mother, and she loves with arms of stringy wrought steel. She’s full of softness like silence. All she has, treasured
in her broken spine. Guarding it like a feast because wolves have only ravaged, insisted she cannot
exist standing like a statue, in beauty, calling what is hers, “mine.”
SINGLE WOMEN OF DISTINCTION BY ELAINE RAGLAND
Damsels Yet Unwed
Elaine Ragland has been a member of Alpha Chi since 2020. She served as president of Lindenwood’s Missouri Pi chapter and received a Dr. Patricia Williams Chapter Member of the Year Award. She is currently pursuing an MFA in Writing. Other forays into education include degrees in Medieval and Renaissance Studies, History, Religion, and Higher Education. Her poem “Damsels Yet Unwed” was inspired by the pop sonnets of Erik Didrickson and based upon the song “Single Ladies” by Beyoncé.
O single ladies, damsels yet unwed, Pray heed my words and listen to my tale. Of one that from his arm’s embrace I fled, The consequence when love and romance fail.
But lo, another gentle did appear, Returned my smile and in my ear did sigh. He whispers that he wants to hold me dear, And leans in close, his hand upon my thigh.
My former love begins now to object, Offended by my state of carnal need. Be gone, I cry, his claim I do reject, He’s been dismissed, pray pay to him no heed.
To keep my heart, I ask for but one thing, Just give to me a golden wedding ring.
What Would Mother Think?
If Mother saw me now, what would she think? I wonder sometimes, wishing she were here. My memories of her, faded now like ink, Trace back the path from when she once was near.
Today, I miss her and her candid thoughts, Her brilliant words, a wry and caustic wit. Her life brought wisdom, sometimes trouble fraught, Her head unbowed, refusing to submit.
She missed my wedding; subsequent divorce. My move back home to where I first was born. Would she herself my choices now endorse? I do not know and that is cause to mourn. And yet I think I hear her voice instead, The tone once loved lives now inside my head.
For Christine de Pizan
A woman of letters and consequence, A simple widow, so you ply your trade. With women of the court your audience, By words your worth is judged, your value weighed.
Old men will always criticize your lines Of romance and your books of noble lives. At least the royals recognize the signs, If only after counsel from their wives.
So pay no heed to rude, obnoxious men, Who seek to fault and undermine your worth. Your merit is the same it’s always been, Nobility of skill far outshines birth.
For you, an author, known well in your time, Deserve renown of panegyric rhyme.
HYPERSENSITIVITIES AND HAIKU
BY PETER TRAN
Peter Show Tran is an Alpha Chi member and psychology major at California Baptist University. He has nonverbal autism and types to communicate with the support of his mom and communication partner, Joyce Show. Peter is a peer life coach for individuals with and without disabilities at HonorEveryVoiceLifeCoaching.com. He received his certifications through the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and NBHWC, becoming the both the first nonverbal person to become an ACC and first nonverbal person to pass the NBHWC certification process and national board exam.
I have autism with sensory hypersensitivities to sound, touch, and bright lights. When I was little, crossing the street or a busy parking lot was so overwhelming that I would curl up like an armadillo. My mom would have to reach down and pick me up, curled up body and all, to safety. Sometimes at a crowded restaurant, I would get so agitated trying to cope with the chattering and clattering that I could not eat a thing. Mom learned to use the principle of “not too near, not too far” to get me through family celebrations and Mass. I would park myself in a chair just outside the main room where people were gathered so that I could feel sort of together with them yet protected from the brunt of sensory input.
Going through airports, I would wear my Bose noise cancellation headphones, and my five brothers would go into formation around me to protect me from the bumps and jolts from the crowd. I generally love being out in nature because of the relative quiet compared to the city, though I still bring my Bose in case a dog barks or noisy children pass by. However, I once shocked my family by walking to the front of an outdoor concert. What can I say? They were playing Beethoven’s Ninth!
I have lived with sensory hypersensitivities all my life and suspect I experience life, shall we say, more intensely than most. Haiku is my way to share with others a burst of my experience—compressed and encapsulated.
Shopping Mall Parking Lot Before Christmas
Gas fumes. Harsh horns blare. I force my feet to trudge through This herd of rhinos.
Firetruck Going By
Strolling serenely, A shrill scream with wailing tail Startles then lingers.
Noisy Restaurant
Dishes clash, clatter. People hum, chopsticks drum, as My stomach lurches.
Going Through a TSA Tunnel
Cold feet on the floor, Stuck like the jammed bins, halted. Back bumped, I’m pushed through.
Covering My Ears at Descanso Rose Garden on a Busy Sunday
Birds twitter and chirp While children chatter and chase. Even the brook laughs.
A VISION FOR TOMORROW
Alpha Chi reached a momentous milestone in 2022—one hundred years as an organization—a feat worth marking with celebrations and excitement. A full year was given to centennial celebrations, and while some organizations might have found themselves resting on their laurels, Alpha Chi did not.
A group of Alpha Chi advisors, regional leaders, and national staff members met weekly starting in the 2023 fall semester to develop a dynamic and malleable three-year strategic plan. This group of dedicated individuals carefully crafted a mission, vision, and set of goals that resulted in a robust strategic plan that will guide Alpha Chi for years to come.
Alpha Chi’s mission remains unchanged and is to recognize and promote academic excellence among college and university students and, by encouraging a spirit of service and leadership, to nurture those elements of character that make scholarship effective for good.
While easy to provide a quick retort when asked what Alpha Chi values—the obvious being Truth and Character, our foundational tenets—when asked what that looked like in action, we had to delve deeper. Could the group reach consensus on Alpha Chi’s values a full century after its founding? After considerable dialogue, several key values rose to the surface:
• Emerging Scholars—recognizing and supporting emerging scholars excelling in their academic journeys
• Interdisciplinary Innovation—supporting interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation
• Integrity and Diversity—encouraging integrity and celebrating diversity in academic disciplines and personal worldviews
• Service to Others—fostering service to the global community; making scholarship effective for good
• A Lifelong Growth Mindset—facilitating opportunities for academic, professional, and personal growth for a lifetime
With mission and values agreed upon, it was time to consider what we envisioned for Alpha Chi’s future. The planning group took the task to heart. Knowing that a vision provides both the foundation for day-to-day decisions and a values-based call to collective action, the following visionary statement emerged:
“Alpha Chi is a thriving, nationally recognized community of emerging scholars who make scholarship effective for good in their lives, in their communities, and in the world.”
It was then time to identify the work that would bolster those values and bring that vision into reality. Within a few weeks, the group had identified five major goals, each with up to seven strategies. Realizing there was a lot of work to be done, the group then presented its strategic plan to the National Council and presented an overview during the business meeting of the 2024 National Convention in Birmingham.
In many ways, 2024 was a year of renewal for Alpha Chi. Following a global pandemic during which students and institutions of higher education were challenged beyond the norm, there could not have been a better time to be looking toward the future. With a regularly monitored plan in place, Alpha Chi continues its mission reinforced by its values.
Grateful appreciation goes to everyone who participated in constructing the current strategic plan and to those who have committed to regularly tracking its progress. There is always more work to be done, and having a plan ensures that the work is more effective, productive, meaningful, and rewarding. Alpha Chi hopes you share its mission and vision and that you are doing all you can as part of our community of alumni and emerging scholars to make scholarship effective for good in all the best and brightest of ways.
ALPHA CHI: WE CONVENE!
Alpha Chi enjoys a rich tradition of holding national conventions for its members and advisors. Whether held in person or virtually, members have the opportunity to make presentations on a national stage, network with other Alpha Chi members from across the country, learn from keynote speakers, and much more. In-person conventions are hosted in a city delegates will enjoy exploring, and virtual conventions are an out-of-the-box experience that members won’t want to miss.
2025 VIRTUAL NATIONAL CONVENTION
This year’s convention will be held on a virtual platform called Gatherly and will feature keynote speaker Zach Anner, a comedian, author, television writer, public speaker, and YouTube personality. Members will enjoy attending Alpha Chi’s first Grad School Fair where delegates will have the opportunity to speak with recruiters of several programs to further their academic and professional journeys. Delegates will also appreciate our member development sessions, one of which will explore the various paths available to members who plan to apply to graduate school. Other sessions will focus on skills students can use as they prepare to enter the professional world. Of course, we’ll also hold chapter development sessions to inspire chapter leaders and give them ideas to bring back to their campuses.
From networking and collaborative presentations to member presentations and national and regional leadership elections, the virtual convention will have most of the hallmark events delegates are used to experiencing at an in-person Alpha Chi convention. We hope you’ll join us March 29 & April 4-5, 2025! Visit alphachihonor.org/axcon for more information.
2026 NATIONAL CONVENTION IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA
The 2026 National Convention will bring delegates together in person to experience the beautiful city of Orlando, Florida. With a hotel adjacent to Disney Springs, delegates will have a unique opportunity to spend their free time in any of the many amazing parks nearby. Mark your calendars now for March 12-14, 2026, and plan to join us in Orlando for an experience you will never forget!
RWE ALL START SOMEWHERE: AN ALUMNA’S JOURNEY
Jennifer Riad is the Director of Curriculum at California Baptist University and adjunct professor of leadership at Azusa Pacific University. She has a Master of Science in Higher Education Leadership and Student Development and is working on her doctorate degree. She dedicates her time to advocating for social justice initiatives and working against systemic barriers to help create a more equitable future for all.
eceiving a higher education degree and establishing yourself professionally comes with challenges. Young professionals must navigate continuous hoops and barriers to stand out. However, some organizations provide opportunities for students to be exceptional, offering resources and prospects for success. Alpha Chi is one such organization.
As an alumni member of Alpha Chi, I have benefitted greatly from my involvement in the honor society. Being an Alpha Chi member exposed me to academic conferences, leadership opportunities, journal publication, and scholarships, allowing me to immerse myself in an academic profession before I realized I wanted it as a career. My professional journey is a byproduct of these experiences. I am now a doctoral student studying organizational leadership and a higher education professional committed to educational effectiveness.
After being inducted into the California Beta chapter of Alpha Chi in 2016 at California Baptist University, I saw an opportunity to expand my professional abilities through the many opportunities that Alpha Chi provided. As I reflect on my journey, I hope to impart six key takeaways to inspire other young professionals on their journey to success: resisting self-doubt, trying something new, understanding that you can change your mind, reframing your thinking, advocating for others, and learning to be a leader.
RESIST SELF-DOUBT
As a college student and young professional, I was often plagued with self-doubt and imposter syndrome. Many new professionals struggle with these challenging feelings. Self-doubt is a force to be reckoned with, making you question your abilities and self-worth. As an undergraduate, I struggled with speaking in front of groups. I worried that no one would want to hear about my research. Whenever
I had to present, my heart would race, my stomach would drop, and my hands would get clammy. Presenting at a national conference seemed out of the question.
With the encouragement of the chapter advisor and plenty of practice, I put my self-doubt aside. I attended the 2017 Alpha Chi national convention in Louisville, Kentucky, presenting my research on property rights ensuring survival in the American colonial era. While the presentation was not perfect, I learned something important: self-doubt holds me back. The following year, I attended the 2018 convention in Portland, Oregon, giving an academic presentation on the historiography of the Jamestown colony. Since then, I have refined my speaking abilities and speak to groups often. If I had given in to my self-doubt, I could have lost out on this pivotal opportunity that has shaped my professional development. I encourage you to do the same. Do not let self-doubt keep you from reaching your full potential; you could miss out on something amazing.
Jennifer Riad (second from the right) and the California Beta delegation at the 2018 Alpha Chi National Convention in Portland, Oregon
TRY SOMETHING NEW
Trying something new can feel daunting, especially in the professional world. In 2018 I was emboldened to publish my senior thesis, “The Colony of Jamestown: Conceptions, Challenges, and Change,” in Alpha Chi’s peer-reviewed journal, Aletheia. I worked hard on this paper, was proud of the time and effort I put into it, and decided to take a step further to get it published. I had never been published before, and I was unfamiliar with the peer-review process; however, I decided to try something new. Through this process, I became familiar with academic publishing and have since published four articles in various journals, with several others in progress. When you try something new, you can unlock new skills and potential, make connections, develop your creativity, and realize what you are capable of—despite being nervous or scared.
YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR MIND
Growing up, I dreamed of working in a museum, preserving and presenting historical artifacts in a gallery setting for the public to admire. This seemed like an appropriate career option due to my passion for history and interest in early colonial America. I graduated with an undergraduate degree in History, was accepted to a master’s program in museum studies, and gained a research position in the field. Life finally looked the way I had planned, and yet something felt wrong. It started to feel like I was not on the right career path. One day someone asked me: “If this is not what you want to do, then what do you want to do?”
As an undergraduate, I worked on campus serving students as part of the Office of Student Success and Disability Services and had really enjoyed that work. After one semester in the museum studies program, I realized how much I missed working with students and decided to change course and pursue a master’s in Higher Education Leadership.
individuals, we adapt to new information, and changing one’s mind is a natural part of this process.
REFRAME YOUR THINKING
In 2020 I applied to and was selected as the alternate in Alpha Chi’s Joseph E. Pryor Graduate Fellowship competition. I was disappointed that I had not won the fellowship itself. I mean, where is the victory in second place? However, I challenged that mindset and reframed my thinking. Rather than looking at this as defeat, I considered the achievement it was to place second in a national competition with students from multiple disciplines. As I looked at it differently, I found a new positive perspective, and I challenge you to do the same. Reframe. Get a new angle. The result may surprise you.
ADVOCATE FOR OTHERS
Advocacy can take on forms such as change management, ally networking, or collaboration. Since I believe that it is crucial to remove the barriers that prevent others from professional and personal development, I participated in meetings to improve diversity and inclusion in the Alpha Chi chapter at California Baptist University. The committee sought to identify and understand the barriers that prevented underrepresented students from joining an honor society for which they had qualified. We determined that a lack of official information on the Office of Student Success’ website was a deterring factor for many underrepresented students. I drew from my experience with Alpha Chi to help build content for the website that would be appealing and informative. Consider how you can advocate for those around you, how you can help remove barriers, or how you can speak for change. Advocacy is important in whatever field you pursue.
LEARN TO BE A LEADER
Along the way, you may realize that you have changed your mind about your professional journey, and that is okay. This could be as complex as a career change or something much simpler; however, knowing that it is okay to change your mind is essential. As we learn, develop, and grow as
Before my involvement in Alpha Chi, I did not have many opportunities for leadership development. This changed in 2017 when I had the honor of serving as the California Beta chapter president. I worked with the chapter’s advisor and co-advisor in coordinating events for members and facilitated the inductions of new members. When I returned to my alma mater in 2020 for my master’s degree, the advisor encouraged me to again serve as chapter president. Later in 2023, I was asked to serve as a chapter advisor and was grateful to help Alpha Chi students
Riad (middle) and her parents at her master’s graduation from California Baptist University in 2021
Riad (middle-right) at the 2023 Fall Induction and Cording Ceremony for new and graduating Alpha Chi members of the California Beta delegation at California Baptist University
to reach their goals. I facilitated a scholarship writing workshop, spoke at the induction ceremonies, provided insight during information sessions, and guided students on how to get published in Aletheia.
I was not a natural-born leader, but I learned. Leaders are learners, and anyone can develop leadership skills by finetuning certain character aspects and implementing specific practices. Alpha Chi leadership was my first experience in such development; that experience snowballed, and I now
lead my university’s curriculum and accreditation initiatives. Even if you do not think of yourself as a leader now, becoming one starts with small steps that ultimately bring significant change, both professionally and personally.
MOVING FORWARD
Looking back at where I started as an undergraduate student, not understanding who I was or what I wanted to be, I am thankful for the opportunities that got me here today. My membership in Alpha Chi projected my career further than I could have imagined when I accepted the invitation to join in 2016. Currently working toward my Doctor of Education degree, I am writing my dissertation on women leaders in higher education to develop a new model of female leadership and am scheduled to graduate as Dr. Jennifer Riad this semester.
Having everything figured out as an undergraduate is not a requirement, but now is the time to set goals and apply yourself in ways you may not have previously imagined. Continuously learn from your experiences and remember that everyone started somewhere. Where you go from there is up to you.
Jennifer Riad (right) hosting an information booth to educate students on the CA Beta chapter of Alpha Chi and member benefits
Riad after recording an informational video in Spring 2024 about how Alpha Chi students can get published in Alpha Chi’s peer-reviewed journal, Aletheia
Aletheia, Alpha Chi’s journal of undergraduate scholarship, is entering its tenth year of publication. Over the past nine years, 337 students have submitted their work to the peerreview process. Of these 337, an elite 105 have been published in Aletheia since its inception in 2016. Although Aletheia traditionally published two issues per year, last year it was converted to a Fall-only publication cycle to make room for Kalo in the Spring. The change to an annual publication will also allow for a consolidation of all the outstanding student work that would typically be spread out over two issues into a comprehensive annual release.
Congratulations to the undergraduates who were published in 2023!
Aletheia, Vol. 8
“The Female Body as a Place of Both Oppression and Liberation”
Cheyenne Burns, Lindenwood University, Missouri Pi
“Kindred as a Response to Enlightenment Rationalism and Historiographical Positivism”
Chase Cate, Lipscomb University, Tennessee Kappa
“The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari: Mental Anguish for All”
Hannah Hudson & Dr. Amy Madewell, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma Theta
“The In-Between of Migrant Women: Negotiating Identity in Zadie Smith’s ‘The Waiter’s Wife’”
Sydney Motl, Ouachita Baptist University, Arkansas Beta
“The Awakening’s Edna Pontellier, Female Companionship, and the Sea”
Mary Aldrich, Lindenwood University, Missouri Pi
“Suffragettes and Silver Shoes: Dorothy’s Feminism in The Wonderful Wizard of Oz”
Elizabeth Davis, Fresno Pacific University, California Zeta
“The Lack of SEL with African American Male Students: Why and What Needs to Change”
Endia Dees & Dr. David Lowery, William Carey University, Mississippi Beta
“Book Bans and the Bowdlerization of Life”
Anna Michelle Adams, Lipscomb University, Tennessee Kappa
“TikTok and the Reliability to Self-Diagnose Mental Illnesses”
Micah Moulder, Gardner-Webb University, North Carolina Zeta
Scan this QR code to learn about Aletheia’s peer review process.
Alpha Chi recently embarked on an ambitious fundraising campaign to ensure the longevity of the Society’s variety of scholarship, fellowship, and grant programs. Kicking off in late October, the two-year campaign was received well and promises to bring more success this year.
HOW YOUR DONATIONS HELP
Your support helps us to continue the tradition of supporting academic excellence for students across our collegiate chapters. Support our goals of inducting 10,000 new Alpha Chi members annually by 2026 while growing our endowment fund, and you can know your gifts provide:
• Annual regional and national scholarships to members
• Chapter programming grants for collegiate chapters
• Meaningful publication opportunities for members
• Delegate travel and housing grants for national convention participation
• Need-based dues waivers
• Professional development opportunities and events for members
GET INVOLVED
Whether you wish to make a small donation or a larger gift, we appreciate your support for Alpha Chi’s legacy.
Small Recurring Donations, Big Impact: Whether it’s a few dollars a month or a larger contribution, every bit counts. Your support fuels the academic dreams of thousands of new Alpha Chi inductees each year.
Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders: When you invest in Alpha Chi, you’re not just backing individual students; you’re shaping the future. Our members are poised for success, armed with knowledge, and ready to make a tangible difference in the world.
Beyond Individuals: It’s not just about one student—it’s about the ripple effect. By supporting Alpha Chi, you amplify the impact of our collective efforts—lighting the lamp of knowledge for the next generation. Think of it as investing in a brighter, smarter, and more compassionate world.
Connect with Us: Have questions? Ideas? Aspirations for higher giving? Call the National Office at 800-477-4225 and ask for Lara Noah, or drop her an email at executivedirector@alphachihonor.org.
WITH GRATEFUL APPRECIATION
We have been heartened by those who have given gifts to further Alpha Chi’s mission. To all who have contributed: thank you! Your belief in Alpha Chi means the world, and we appreciate your generosity as we continue supporting our members as they make their scholarship effective for good. A special thanks goes to those below who were donated $100 or more in 2024 to reach many of Alpha Chi’s new giving levels:
