Sisters, Happy New Year! I hope everyone was able to spend some time with friends and family at Christmas and over the break. As I reflect on last year, I can’t help but to be proud of all Sigma Alpha members. Collegiate members worked hard to recruit new members and exhibited creativity in planning their events while continuing to navigate through the challenges of a pandemic. Alumnae members have continued to connect with their local chapters and are engaging at an increasing level with the national organization. And, as national disasters have hit many areas of our country, we’ve witnessed both collegiate and alumnae members step to support one another and the affected communities. Looking ahead to 2022, the National Sorority Board and the Educational Foundation Board are working on a multi-year strategic plan with Shelly Schell of Trionfocrem. Over the course of the last few months, both boards have collaborated in virtual and in-person planning meetings. We look forward to sharing the plan and some of our progress with you this summer at Conclave. Thank you to all members who completed the Risk Management and Collegiate Code of Conduct training programs through our new Learning Management System (LMS). You may have wondered why you had to complete it again if you had completed it last spring or why this is now a requirement of membership. The National Sorority
Page 2
2022 Leadership Seminars Wilbur Ellis Competition Cover: Taking the Last Frontier Founders’ Highlight Changing Careers Sisters by Chance & Choice
3 3 4 6 8 10
Board wants you to have the information and tools you need to enjoy your experience within a safe environment. It is also another example of how Sigma Alpha is preparing you for the future. As you move into your careers, you will likely find that your employer also has annual requirements you need to fulfill such as Standards of Conduct, Workplace Harassment, and other topics that are relevant to your segment of the industry or specific to the company that employs you. In these instances, failure to comply could result in loss of pay or even loss of employment. These trainings provide relevant exposure to and practice with meeting similar expectations. A highlight of the start of the new year is the awarding of the Spirit of Ruth awards to deserving alumnae. Congratulations to April, Shannon and Sydney on being named recipients of this well-deserved honor. A 2022 Spirit of Ruth Award will be presented to each of these ladies at the three in-person Leadership Seminars in February. These ladies have demonstrated the ideals of Sigma Alpha by living the four pillars in their personal and/or professional lives. As always, reach out to me or anyone else on the National Sorority Board if you have any questions or concerns. In Sisterhood,
Kim (Stassen) Neumann National Sorority Board President
Sister Highlights & Updates FFA American Degrees Emerald Times Writers Spirit of Ruth Awardees National Conclave 2022
12 16 21 22 24
Leadership Seminars will return to in-person events in Nashville, Kansas City and Denver. We encourage you to attend one of the four seminars and defy gravity with two great days of programming to make you a better leader. Here’s the agenda for this year’s Seminars: Friday Schedule 12:00 – 1:30 pm 1:30 – 2:30 pm 2:40 – 3:45 pm 2:40 – 3:45 pm 3:55 – 5:00 pm 5:10 – 6:00 pm 6:00 – 6:10 pm 6:15 – 7:30 pm 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Registration Opening Session: One Small Step Advisers & Alumni Session Breakout Session I Breakout Session II (Repeat Session I) High-Stakes Decision Making Networking Opportunity Dinner Mission Control to Launch Activity
Saturday Schedule 8:00 – 9:30 am 9:45 – 10:35am 10:40 – 11:35 am 11:45 – 1:15 pm 1:30 – 2:30 pm 2:45 – 3:45 pm 3:50 – 4:30 pm
Breakfast Breakout Sessions III Breakout Sessions IV (repeat Session III) Awards Luncheon AGR/Sigma Alpha Special Sessions Polishing Your Space Skills Closing Session: Preparing for Landing
There’s still time to register to attend! Visit sigmaalpha.org to learn more about sign-up for your chance to defy gravity.
Wilbur-Ellis is marking its 100th anniversary by launching the new Wilbur-Ellis Innovation Award for U.S student teams, and Sigma Alpha is forming a national team of collegiate members from chapters across the country to compete in this program. National Vice President, Carmen Benson will advise the national team as they develop and present a creative and effective way to feed the growing world. Local collegiate chapters can also form a chapter team to compete on their own. Wilbur-Ellis will recognize the winning proposal with an award of $25,000, split among the team members. Honorable mention awards of $5,000 may also be given. The deadline for submitting proposals to Wilbur-Ellis is May 2, 2022. National team members will be asked to commit 10-15 hours each month from February to April 2022. Interest forms to join the national team can be completed in the Greenhouse and are due no later than February 5, 2022. If a chapter plans to form its own team, please let us know how the National Sorority may support you, for example with workshops or coaching support, etc. For questions about the national team, please contact Carmen Benson at vicepresident@sigmaalpha.org. Page 3
Page 3
When Monica Thornburg graduated from Northwest Missouri State in the spring of 2020, things looked pretty bleak. A global pandemic had slowed the job market, and the Ag Science & Agriculture Communications student was struggling to find a job. But then, an intriguing job post on Ranch World Ads gave Monica the chance to take on a new frontier.
“I saw a job posting for a Ranch Hand at Mugrage Hay & Cattle in Delta Junction, Alaska,” explained Monica. “I didn’t even know there was agriculture in Alaska.” When she was offered the job, Monica packed up, and left the lower 48 to explore a whole new world. After months of being a ranch hand, she was presented with an opportunity by Scott Mugrage, owner of the ranch where she worked: create the Great Alaskan Cattle Drive.
Page 4
Monica jumped at the chance to create something new, spending last summer mapping routes and creating the trail for the Great Alaska Cattle Drive. She also hosted her first guests who were able to experience and explore Alaskan agriculture in a whole new way. “This week-long experience allows guests to see all the agriculture Alaska has to offer while serving as a way to advocate for agriculture and to drive change,” explained Monica. Through the project, Monica is able to share the need for agriculture infrastructure such as meat processing plants, railroad development, and grain markets, as well as agriculture policy change. By horseback, guests experience the wide variety of agriculture the Delta Junction area has to offer: hay and barley production, wild bison, grain-fed cattle, barley flour mill and the only dairy in Alaska. The drive covers over 200 miles of ground.
As Monica takes on this new challenge in Alaska, she reflects back on her time as a sister of the Alpha Beta chapter as a time that really helped her grow up and become who she is today. “Sigma Alpha helped a lot with my professional development,” explains Monica. “From building a resume, to how to dress to how to interact with others in a professional way, Sigma Alpha has helped me in so many ways. And I continue to use these skills in my work at the ranch and in the Great Alaskan Cattle Drive.” To learn more about the Great Alaskan Cattle Drive and the work Monica is doing, visit greatalaskancattledrive.com or follow the drive on Instagram @greatalaskancattledrive.
Page 5
In 1978, five young women—Amy Mathews, Jennifer McMillan, Marilyn Burns, Ann Huling, and Cindie Davis—created a long-lasting legacy by founding Sigma Alpha. Recently, there was a chance to catch up with now Amy Mathews Viets and Jennifer McMillan Rubin about their lives since Sigma Alpha.
Viets remembers the five getting together to work on the Sigma Alpha structure and the constitution. “There were no sororities for females in ag, so we focused on what we wanted to do and what we wanted it to be,” Viets said. “We had no idea it would turn out this way.” After Viets finished her degree in horticulture, she reconnected with the group after Purdue wanted to start the Beta chapter. “We needed a national organization if this is going to grow,” she thought. They formed the idea of the national board and the criteria for new chapters. Amy (Matthews) Viet with Son, Aaron
Sigma Alpha Founders
Page 6
In 1980, Viets married her husband, Alan, whom she met while working in the horticultural industry. As his career offered opportunities in different places, she would find work with her degree doing landscape design or research such as at Louisiana State University for a few years. Once Viets had her two children, Aaron and Mary, she decided it was time to stay at home with them. “It gave me the opportunity to influence my children as they grew up and experience what they were doing,” she said. Along the way, Viets attended the 40th anniversary convention in Columbus, Ohio. She remembers how powerful it was to see so many young women there and the bonds created. “Girls came up to me in tears because Sigma Alpha had made such a difference in their lives,” Viets said. “It has given them encouragement in their studies and personal lives too.”
relations work. Rubin helped start one of the first in the industry advocacy functions working with patient groups and patient organizations doing work in the HIV field during the early part of the epidemic. It was in this career that she met her husband, Marc, while he was a physician working in AIDS research. The duo married in 1994 and together had one child, Bryan, plus two stepchildren, Sara and Matthew. In 2001, they moved to New Jersey for Marc’s work and Rubin began doing consulting work on her own along with some writing projects. However, once there was an “empty nest” at home, she couldn’t resist going back to North Carolina.
She further explained that she is “amazed at the friendship and careers” Sigma Alpha has offered to young women in agriculture. “This has turned out to be what we wanted it to be. It’s something that has served women that want to pursue interests in agriculture.” When asked for advice for current sisters, Viets said, “Don’t feel like there are any limits to what you can do.”
As for Jennifer McMillan Rubin, she also wanted to help create something that would support women in agriculture–specifically in academic pursuits and professional settings. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think we would be where we are today,” Rubin said. “It’s really rewarding to be connected to the sorority.” After obtaining her degrees in agricultural business and agricultural communication, Rubin began working for the Agri Broadcasting Network, which was a radio station built around agriculture, markets, farmers, and technology. Afterwards, she began working for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Later, she took a trip down to North Carolina to visit her college roommate and fellow co-founder, Marilyn Burns, and fell in love with the state. Soon after, she began working for a pharmaceutical company, GlaxoSmithKline, in North Carolina doing communication, public relations, writing, and media
Jennifer (McMillan) Rubin One of Rubin’s favorite memories is that of the time spent creating the sorority. “We all sat around the kitchen table and started brainstorming how it would look and how it would operate,” she said. Her advice to current sisters: “Hold fast to your friends.” She appreciates how women have connected and made lifelong friendships through Sigma Alpha. “Your friends and family are important. Those relationships deserve work, attention, and maintenance as much as you can give them because they can last a lifetime.” Page 7
Sigma Alpha’s objective states it was created to “further the development of excellence in women pursuing careers in agriculture.” However, sometimes sisters transition out of those careers and into new sectors of the job market. Though working in new industries, the skills they gained as Sigma Alpha sisters continue to benefit them in their careers. Two sisters, both who worked in the agriculture Industry and then transitioned to other sectors, discussed how being in Sigma Alpha prepared them for their careers in agriculture and beyond.
Lorrell (Kenney) Walter, an alumna from the
Lambda chapter at University of California Davis, began her career as the Director of Public Relations for the New York Beef Council. After working with the New York Beef Council, Walter worked with an advertising agency on agriculture accounts and as the Director of Public Relations for the Rosamond Gifford Zoo. In total, she spent thirteen years in agriculture. Walter never intended to leave the industry, but it did become necessary when she had the opportunity to move west. She first worked with an electric cooperative, and though she wasn’t directly working in agriculture, many of the customers she served were in the agriculture community, which she enjoyed. Walter then transitioned into working with Western Vista Federal Credit Union, where she still works and now serves as the Sr. Vice President of Marketing and Member Experience. She celebrated her five year anniversary with the credit union in December 2021. Walter credits being the president of her chapter while they were going through the chapter-in-development (CID) process with being the person she is today. “The CID process was my introduction to project management, and I learned very quickly my strengths and weaknesses in managing an effort of this magnitude.”
Many of the situations she experienced during her time with Sigma Alpha, such as event planning and crisis management, directly relate to what she sees in her day-to-day life as a marketing professional and executive. Sigma Alpha gave her experience and helped her develop the leadership skills she continues to utilize today as a marketing professional and executive.
Lorrell (Kenney) Walter Page 8
Katie (Hines) Brown, an alumna of the Beta Eta chapter at Auburn University, only worked in agriculture for eleven months. During that time, she worked with a John Deere dealership group. Like Walter, a move caused Brown to change career paths, landing in a banking job. She left banking after three years, hoping to find a position that utilized her Agriculture Business and Economics degree. Brown moved into pharmaceutical sales, which allowed her to utilize the business portion of her degree, but after a job lay-off, she was forced to decide if she wanted to remain in pharmaceutical sales or break into a new career. With the help of fellow sister Nikki (Little) Snider, Brown has worked at Edward Jones for the last two years. Brown credits her experience in Sigma Alpha, both as a three-time chapter officer and National Leadership Seminar Facilitator with helping her gain invaluable skills in handling failures as well as networking with others. “Sigma Alpha, and the agriculture industry, both provided me with the courage to position myself as a leader in industries in which men generally fill leadership roles.” She explains Sigma Alpha was the ideal environment to develop the skills necessary to both respect those who employ us and gain their respect to continue company growth. Both Walter and Brown gained valuable life and professional skills as Sigma Alpha sisters that continue to benefit them in their careers outside of agriculture. Moves caused both women to change career paths, but their time as members better prepared them for the careers they have today.
Katie (Hines) Brown 9 Page Page 9
Laura Parker and Beth Farrell grew up in the small town of Piney Creek, North Carolina, nestled in the Appalachian Mountains. Through many trials and tribulations of childhood, they developed a strong bond of sisterhood. They spent an abundance of time on either their grandparents’ tobacco farm or dairy farm. Together, their passion for agriculture grew far beyond the confines of Piney Creek to their education at North Carolina State University in Raleigh.
Through Sigma Alpha, the sisters learned that family is more then just blood. Having grown up as sisters, they were able to share with the rest of the chapter their learned knowledge of how to properly treat a sister and were living examples of the bond of sisterhood. Sigma Alpha in turn gave the sisters the small community feel while living in such a large city and made their bond even stronger. Going forward in life, they both feel blessed to have been a part of the legacy of the Alpha Theta Chapter. As an FFA advisor and ag teacher, Laura still uses the lessons taught to her by Sigma Alpha. The sorority taught her how to properly use Robert’s Rule of Order which serves her well in the classroom, specifically with handling difficult situations while being always respectful.
Beth arrived at North Carolina State two years before Laura, but when they reunited it was like they found that missing piece to their soul. Beth joked, “that she had to do the hard work so Laura could have it easy when she arrived.” Shortly after Laura’s arrival, Beth joined Sigma Alpha. The following semester, enthralled by Beth’s Sigma Alpha stories, Laura joined. The sisters became the first biological sisters in the young Alpha Theta Chapter.
Page 10
For Beth, the difficult conversations that she had with her sisters taught her irreplaceable lessons for her current role as Agriculture Programs Specialist at North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. She learned how to sit in a room of many different individuals with a variety of opinions, hash out the issue and be able to leave the room with a united front. Both sisters gained the invaluable knowledge of organic connectivity and the strength of women in agriculture through their experiences afforded to them by the sorority. To this day, they have both witnessed the value of the sisterhood through random instances of student teachers, farm visits, or national conferences that have helped establish a network unlike any other.
Looking back, they both wish they would have joined sooner, but are so grateful for the years of memories spent with their sisters. For them, Sigma Alpha taught them to not be afraid to be authentically themselves, and they have seen that mentality play out through the impact women in agriculture have continued to make. While both sisters share in the excitement of watching how women in agriculture continue to change the world, they, without recognizing it, have helped those women do that, inadvertently changing the world themselves. They are both humble about their own achievements while being beyond proud and supportive of each other, each embodying what it truly means to be a Sigma Alpha sister.
Page 11
Madalynn is a member of the Gamma Delta chapter at SUNY-Cobleskill, and had the distinct honor of competing in the Miss Rodeo America 2022 pageant, which took place from November 28 to December 5. Madalynn is currently serving as Miss Rodeo New York 2021.
At the prestigious Morris & Essex Dog Show, which is held only once every 5 years, Marissa and her very first Bred-By Dachshund, named Ginny, won a 5-point major! Marissa is a sister of the Beta Gamma chapter of the University of Florida.
Page 12
April Burg, former Collegiate Membership Director and Chapter Consultant, married Luke Vollherbst on October 9, 2021 in Malvern, Pennsylvania. The two met playing kickball on a team of University of Delaware alumni and Alumni Office staff. Following their wedding, April and Luke honeymooned in Iceland. April and Luke currently live in Wilmington, Delaware.
Alexandra is a 2013 alumna from the Kappa Chapter at Cal Poly San Lois Obispo, and recently got married. She met her husband while attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He was in AGR and a Dairy Science major and the couple had some mutual friends and acquaintances. They were married on California's Central Coast as it holds a special place in their hearts! Alexandra’s husband works as a Software Engineer for a Dairy Herd Management Software Company and she is a 3rd Grade Teacher. They currently reside in Tracy, CA with their two cats.
Page 13
In June 2021, Alexis Jacobson testified in front of a Congressional subcommittee on the ocean export crisis on behalf of small ag shippers. Following her testimony, she was selected to serve on the inaugural National Shipper Advisory Committee through the Federal Maritime Commission. The NSAC is comprised of 12 companies who import to the US and 12 companies who export from the US. Their goal is to advise on policies relating to the competitiveness, reliability, integrity, and fairness of the industry. Alexis is a 2016 graduated from Oregon State University, and an alumna of the Xi Chapter.
Claire is a sister of the Beta Zeta chapter at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and recently received a job with Rural Mutual Insurance Company as a Territorial Underwriter. Rural Mutual is the largest agricultural farm insurance company in Wisconsin and only insures Wisconsin clients.
Page 14
Chassity is a sister of the Beta Sigma chapter at Western Kentucky University, majoring in Agriculture Education. She is originally from Springfield, Kentucky, where her family farm, Warner Farms, is home to 3 generations of beef cattle producers. When she was 17, Chassity was asked to show polled Hereford cattle for a family friend, and that experience ignited an undeniable passion. This year, she showed a bull named Troubadour that has had a banner year! At the 2021 Kentucky State Fair, Troubadour was named the Grand Champion SimAngus/Simsolutions Bull in the Open Show and Youth Show! Fredia—Troubador’s dam—and Troubadour also received Grand Champion Simmental Cow/Calf in the youth show and Reserve Grand Champion Simmental Cow/ Calf in the open show. These two have presented a lot of “firsts” for Chassity, and she is so proud of how far they have come. Congratulations, Chassity!
Life moves and changes quickly, and we want to celebrate the wins in your life with you! Keep us updated on where you live and what you’re up to, and we promise to do the same. Please login to The Greenhouse on the Sigma Alpha website to update your information. Share updates with us on your personal and professional successes on the Sigma Alpha website, and we’d love to feature you right here in The Emerald Times. Visit https://sigmaalpha.org/sisterhighlight to share with us today!
Page 15
As the highest degree achievable in the National FFA Organization, the American FFA Degree shows an FF members apply toward their supervised agricultural experience and the outstanding leadership abilities and
This year, 23 Sigma Alpha sisters shared with us that they received their FFA American Degrees. Congratul
Page 16
FFA Chapter: Munford Sigma Alpha Chapter: Psi Major: Animal Science FFA SAE: Poultry Production and Sheep Production
FFA Chapter: Detroit Sigma Alpha Chapter: Rho Major: Agricultural Education FFA SAE: Raising and showing Miniature Herefords and market lambs
FFA Chapter: Metter High Sigma Alpha Chapter: Beta Nu Major: Ag Education FFA SAE: Wildlife Management
FFA Chapter: Clinton Central Sigma Alpha Chapter: Beta Sigma Major: Agriculture Education FFA SAE: Equine Entrepreneurship, Agriculture Education Entrepreneurship, Forage Crop Placement
FFA Chapter: Camden Fairview Sigma Alpha Chapter: Beta Rho Major: Agriculture Business FFA SAE: Swine Production
FFA Chapter: PlainviewElgin-Millville Sigma Alpha Chapter: Omega Major: Animal Science Pre-Vet FFA SAE: Entrepreneurship & Work Placement
FA member’s dedication to his or her chapter and state FFA association. It demonstrates the effort FFA community involvement they exhibited through their FFA career.
lations to this year’s American Degree Recipients!
FFA Chapter: Amboy Sigma Alpha Chapter: Delta Major: Agriculture Systems Technology FFA SAE: Ag Education
FFA Chapter: Mexico Sigma Alpha Chapter: Alpha Chi Major: Animal Sciences FFA SAE: Veterinary Science
FFA Chapter: Eastside Sigma Alpha Chapter: Beta Nu Major: Ag Communication FFA SAE: Ag Communication
FFA Chapter: Fremont Sigma Alpha Chapter: Chi Major: Agriculture and Extension Education FFA SAE: Dairy Production
FFA Chapter: Northridge Sigma Alpha Chapter: Gamma Alpha Major: Agribusiness and policy FFA SAE: Meat Goat Production
FFA Chapter: Dundee Sigma Alpha Chapter: Gamma Major: Animal Science FFA SAE: Sheet Breeding
Page 17
FFA Chapter: Daingerfield Sigma Alpha Chapter: Phi Major: Agricultural Leadership and Communications FFA SAE: Entrepreneurship, Heifers, Steers, Rabbits, and Swine
FFA Chapter: Klein Oak Sigma Alpha Chapter: Beta Pi Major: Intradisciplinary Agriculture FFA SAE: Ownership/ Entrepreneurship
FFA Chapter: Housatonic Valley Sigma Alpha Chapter: Eta Major: Agriculture and Natural Resources FFA SAE: Diversified Livestock
Page 18
FFA Chapter: California FFA Sigma Alpha Chapter: Alpha Chi Major: Agribusiness Management FFA SAE: Horticulture Production, Large Animal Entrepreneurship, Small Animal Entrepreneurship
FFA Chapter: Kaneland FFA Sigma Alpha Chapter: Alpha Epsilon Major: Rangeland Ecology FFA SAE: Swine Production
FFA Chapter: Bear River Sigma Alpha Chapter: Alpha Iota Major: Ag Education FFA SAE: Market Lambs & paid placement in nursery plant care and production
FFA Chapter: Priceton FFA Sigma Alpha Chapter: Beta Zeta Major: Agricultural Business FFA SAE: Agricultural Sales
FFA Chapter: Carrollton Career Center Sigma Alpha Chapter: Alpha Chi Major: Agriculture Education & Leadership-Communications FFA SAE: Cash rent 25 acres of row crop, country cure bacon/hams, help with family pecan grove, etc.
FFA Chapter: Paris FFA Sigma Alpha Chapter: Beta Rho Major: Pre-Veterinary Medicine FFA SAE: Sheep Production
FFA Chapter: Norwood Young America Sigma Alpha Chapter: Omega Major: Agriculture Communications FFA SAE: Placement
FFA Chapter: Northwestern Area Sigma Alpha Chapter: Omega Major: Animal Science/Ag Communications FFA SAE: Beef Entreprenuership/ Agriscience Research
FFA Chapter: Oakland Sigma Alpha Chapter: Psi Major: Animal Science FFA SAE: Swine Management
Page 19
FFA Chapter: Seymour FFA Sigma Alpha Chapter: Beta Major: Agricultural Economics FFA SAE: Sheep Production Entrepreneurship
FFA Chapter: Eldon FFA Sigma Alpha Chapter: Alpha Chi Major: Agribusiness Management, Public Policy FFA SAE: Swine production and placement
FFA Chapter: Warsaw Sigma Alpha Chapter: Beta Major: Finance FFA SAE: Beef Production – Placement
Page 20
We have several webinars this spring that you don't want to miss! The first three will be brought to you by our partners at Bayer and will focus on three career paths. Save these dates and keep an eye out for registration for all three sessions: • Tuesday, March 22nd - 6:30 PM CST: Breeding, R&D, and Crop Protection • Tuesday, March 29th - 6:30PM CST: Production and Product Supply • Tuesday, April 5th - 6:30PM CST: Sales Later this spring, we will host two industry panel discussions: • Pursuing a Career in Communications • A special panel on the Beef Supply Chain Watch for registration details that will be emailed as the webinars get closer.
This issue of Emerald Times was made possible because of three great writers who helped create content! Throughout the Emerald Times you will see articles bylined by Sigma Alpha sisters! We are so thankful for their time and talents that are helping create great content.
Liz Young University of Arizona
Miriam Cook Purdue University
Sarah Thomas Virginia Tech Page 21
The Spirit of Ruth Award was created to recognize Sigma Alpha Alumnae who embody the spirit of Ruth through active involvement, leadership, and commitment to the field of agriculture. This year three award winners were selected to receive this prestigious honor, and will be formally honored at the 2022 Leadership Seminars.
Shannon grew up in Parkersburg, West Virginia, spending time at her Aunt and Uncle’s farm, then engaging in 4-H and FFA. In college, she continued the leadership and service mentality, joining Sigma Alpha, and graduating with both a bachelor's degree and a master’s degree in agricultural education. She put her education to the test for more than a decade, teaching high school agriculture, first in Hinton, then in West Union, where she served the students and by extension the community. Growing the next crop of leaders through her warm heart, she built the program in her school to include an animal processing facility and greenhouse lab. From there, Shannon left West Virginia, to share her skill and ability with Montana! She now serves as the Division Administrator in the Career and Technical Education Program for Montana.
April (Burg) Vollherbst graduated in 2014 from the University of Delaware with a degree in Food and Agribusiness Marketing and Management. She served as 2nd Vice President for the Alpha Kappa Chapter and was a founding member of the Special Interest Greek Council. April continued her Sigma Alpha journey by serving as a Chapter Consultant for Region 8 from 2015-2019 and served on the National Sorority Board as Collegiate Membership Director from 2019-2021. April joined AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals in 2014 in Supply Chain and Distribution. She currently works as Associate Director of Contract Operations. April and her husband, Luke, married in October 2021. They currently live in Wilmington, Delaware.
Page 22
Sydney White is originally from Bealeton, Virginia. She attended West Virginia University (WVU) where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife & Fisheries in 2018 and a master’s degree in Energy Environments with a certificate in GIS &Spatial Analysis in 2019. She joined Sigma Alpha, WVU—Chi Chapter as an undergraduate and served as the recruitment and sisterhood chairs. As an alumna, she served locally as President of the WVU Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Alpha since 2018 and nationally as a Chapter Consultant from 2019 to 2021. Sydney currently works for the NRCS division of the USDA as a soil conservation in Braxton County, WV. She resides in the Clarksburg area with her Pomeranian pup Ollie and is an avid hunter, hiker, and mountaineer fan!
Sigma Alpha Chapter Consultants Applications due April 1 Chapter Consultants are the heartbeat of Sigma Alpha collegiate chapters, and support, mentor and guide chapter officers toward success. If you have a love for Sigma Alpha, a desire to give back to collegiate chapters, and a willingness to mentor collegiate chapters, this may be the role for you. In this role, you’ll regularly communicate with your eight + assigned chapters and participate in monthly Chapter Leader Forums led by the Chapter Operations Manager. Additionally, you will travel to about four chapters in each year, which may require time away from work. If you have any questions, contact the Collegiate Membership Director at collegiate@sigmaalpha.org. National Sorority Board Applications Due April 15 Are you a Sigma Alpha alumna who would like to devote time, energy and expertise to helping Sigma Alpha excel? The alumnae who serve on our National Sorority Board provide immeasurable benefit to Sigma Alpha and help the sorority move forward in strategic and meaningful ways. The National Sorority Board governs the sorority in accordance with the National Bylaws, policies and procedures. They also provide guidance to collegiate and alumnae chapters, facilitate the bonds of sisterhood between members and serve as representatives of Sigma Alpha at sorority, industry and affiliated association events. The applications for both roles can be found in the Greenhouse. Page 23
The National Conclave is designed as a concentrated leadership development session for collegiate and alumnae leaders. Delegates will have the opportunity to examine current policies and procedures, elect new national leaders and direct the priorities of the national organization. Sisters will work within national committees and focus on issues, programs and situations affecting both collegiate and alumnae members.
Attendance is limited to one Voting Delegate (required for collegiate chapters) and one Alternate Delegate (optional) per collegiate and alumnae chapter. Chapters must be in good standing with the National Sorority to be eligible to vote during the National Congress. Chapter advisors are also encouraged to attend.
Chapters should select a delegate according to the process outlined in its chapter bylaws. The ideal delegate should: • Be active within chapter activities. • Currently hold (or hold in the coming year) a leadership position. • Remain in the chapter for at least two semesters or three quarters post-Conclave (collegiate delegates only).
