UNC Pembroke’s Campus Engagement and Leadership recently ventured to Washington, D.C. to attend the 2019 ROADTRIP! Leadership Conference with eight students.
The annual trip included an innovative two-day conference experience designed for undergraduates, student service professionals and advisors to individually and collectively learn how to protect, improve and expand culturally-based fraternal organizations (CBFOs).
UNC Pembroke currently has 14 active CBFOs on campus, with 157 students. UNCP’s CBFOs include: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Iota Phi Theta Sorority Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Lambda Theta Alpha Sorority Inc., Lambda Theta Phi Fraternity Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., Phi Sigma Nu Fraternity Inc., Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., Sigma Omicron Epsilon Sorority Inc., and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc.
The conference hosted 200 participants from 30 different colleges/universities in 16 different states and the District of Columbia.
While in the nation’s capital, UNCP students were very active and received much praise for providing valuable feedback and energy during the various sessions.
Students engaged in career development and life coaching, exploration of the Dr. King Memorial, Smithsonian National Museum of African American History/Culture, and the National Museum of the American Latino, networking with other CBFO leaders, and private chapter, council or college/university consulting.
“I would say one of the biggest take-aways would be when one of the speakers said ‘leadership is a process, not a position’—this really inspired me. Also, the concept of expressing member requirements to new members really showed me what I need to do within my chapter. The promoting of new member success is the key to progress and growth,” reflected Ethan Oxendine, member of Phi Sigma Nu fraternity.
“I thought I was going to be nervous meeting new people and learning more about myself. I overcame it by just stepping out of my bubble and realizing we are similar,” added Serena Reyes of Lambda Theta Alpha sorority.
The 2019 trip marked the first time Campus Engagement and Leadership has attended the conference with current UNCP students.
