Leading With a Community
Author: Yasamin K. / Editors: Bella B. and Ariana W. / Photographer: Ella M.
Nina C., a third-year chemical engineering major, is taking the Florida State Community by storm one day at a time. Nina C. is an out-of-state student from a small town in Tennessee, and has dedicated much of her time here at Florida State University (FSU) to what she holds closest to her heart: community. Whether that is through her work as Executive Director of the Asian American Student Union, President of the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers, or leading bible study at Alpha Chi Omega (Alpha Chi). It is apparent in every regard, that Nina is passionate about enhancing the Florida State community.
Nina went through Recruitment in the Fall of 2020 and she recalls a very different Recruitment experience than most. Watching videos of the chapter facilities here on campus, and learning about each chapters’ values, she felt drawn to Alpha Chi’s motto, “together let us seek the heights.” While going through Recruitment she spoke to a sister who was also a chemical engineering major, and felt seen. “It is rare to see women not only in the school of engineering, but also within the Panhellenic community, and that really showed me that I could have a place within the walls of Alpha Chi.”
Within her chapter, Nina has been dedicated to being the Bible Study Leader. When she first joined Alpha Chi, she looked up to one of her sisters who led Bible Study and was inspired from there. As an out-of-state student, she did not know many people here and often worried about how she would remain connected to her faith, as she didn’t have a car to drive to church and was just getting settled on campus. Nina then decided to start leading the study within her chapter, with one of her close friends Bella D.S. This helped her feel more connected to her chapter and to her faith as well. Nina states that she “found a christian community within Alpha Chi, which supported me throughout my freshman year and beyond.”
Out of the Alpha Chi Values that include wisdom, devotion, and achievement, Nina described being connected to achievement while going through Recruitment. Now a few years later, she feels more so connected to devotion. “I love the idea of being very committed and devoted to things you are passionate about,” while drawn to a specific term, she displays many of her chapter’s values in her everyday work and within the communities, she is a part of here on campus.
Panhellenic was one of the first communities that Nina joined and values community as one of the most important parts of college; being in one of the largest Panhellenic chapters contributes to that. She describes Panhellenic as a community from all different walks of life, and a sisterhood that runs deep. Her favorite part of the Panhellenic community is, “being able to meet someone new and hear someone's story, and that's something I wouldn’t have gotten outside of the Panhellenic community. Having women around you to support your own growth is amazing.”
“There are just small things I am going to cherish about going to FSU, I am definitely excited to mentor more people with younger generations coming in.” For her senior year, Nina is excited to spend time with her friends, chapter, and embracing the Panhellenic community. She says college is a time to cherish the small moments, and that the 4 years have gone by faster than she could have possibly imagined.
It is through the support of communities such as Alpha Chi, and Panhellenic, that shape women such as Nina. Our communities continue to flourish in the presence of such selfless and driven individuals like Nina, and empower future generations to come.