Making the Connections
Writer: Natalie C. / Editors: Ilana S. and Savannah T. / Photo editor: Brook F. / Graphic Designer: Savannah T. / Photos submitted by chapter
The year 2020 has certainly shaken things up for students in terms of changed plans, canceled events, and a different perspective on our lives and those around us. Many classes are online, organizations now meet through Zoom, and campus has seemed a little emptier than usual. For the Panhellenic community, however, the meaningful work and busy lifestyle hasn’t stopped. Sarah Allison P. is just one of the many vital faces behind the efforts that keep this community moving in the midst of one of the craziest academic years to date.
As a senior at Florida State University, Sarah Allison proudly served as Vice President of Membership on Panhellenic’s Executive Board in 2020. Knowing the ins and outs of Panhellenic recruitment is practically second nature to her, and creating a professional environment through her position has always been her main goal. Through her role, Sarah Allison spearheads much of the programming for recruitment staff, recruitment counselors, and advisors, ultimately creating a welcoming environment for potential new members to one day call ‘home’. Some may say this position is overwhelming, or even too much to handle. To Sarah Allison, it’s all part of what inspired her to apply.
“As a new member, I think it can be very difficult for someone to wrap their head around what exactly our Panhellenic community is,” says Sarah Allison. She explains that her main priority is to ensure that these potential new members have a safe space to be welcomed into during their time at FSU.
“We spend a whole semester training our recruitment counselors in emotional intelligence. We want [them] to foster a safe and friendly place that our PNMs can eventually call home,” she says. “Our recruitment counselors do an incredible job of welcoming new members into this community.”
Many people can agree that the potential new member experience can take some time to adjust to. Sarah Allison wants those looking into the process to know that she, too, felt the exact same way.
“Growing up, I think I always knew that I wanted to be a part of the Panhellenic community,” she explains. It wasn't until my sophomore year at Florida State that I knew the Panhellenic Association was truly the right place for me”. Sarah Allison knows that the first few years of college can be a nerve-wracking experience and one that can make you feel a little lost at times. “ I wasn't always quite sure how I was supposed to fit into this community,” she says.“Looking back at my personal growth throughout college, I can really see how much I grew surrounded by the amazing women in the Panhellenic community”.
Between an 18-hour course load, active membership in her own chapter, and the daily duties of her position, this past year has surely kept her busy. While Sarah Allison claims to have gained a new sense of hard work and perseverance, this year has really shown her what it means to collaborate and gain varying perspectives from those around her.
“The COVID-19 Pandemic was one of the biggest challenges I faced in my position and while attending FSU. It pretty much took any and all recruitment plans that we had made in the Spring of 2020 and turned them around” says Sarah Allison. “Having a team to rely on is what really helped us conquer these obstacles and create a successful recruitment process. Sometimes we had to put on a smile and work through challenges that we weren't necessarily happy about, but in the end, we came out on the other side and had an extremely successful virtual recruitment.”
As the time in her position soon comes to a close, Sarah Allison looks back on her term with steady heart and pride for the work that has been created. “This position taught me how to be confident in myself, and how to work successfully with various types of people. I urge the next woman who takes my place to not sweat the small stuff and remember the bigger picture of what recruitment is and how it shapes the future of our community.”
Looking back at her time at FSU, Sarah Allison feels as if the University really prepared for her next steps in life. The confidence and sense of community she has gained from Panhellenic is something she is so grateful for, and something she hopes to take with her in the future. “Florida State has cultivated a sense of determination, confidence, and responsibility that I know I will have the rest of my life,” says Sarah Allison. “Through my time, I’ve been given the opportunity to be a leader on this campus that has made me into the person I am today”.
In her encouraging words to any future potential new members of the Panhellenic community, Sarah Allison inspires young women to strive to be bold, to be open to trying something new, and to be confident in the person that this organization will shape them to be. “This community has so many opportunities for growth and exploration,” Sarah Allison says. “So, get out there and make your impact. You might just find yourself as the leader you never knew you could be.