University of Arkansas Greek Life Members Attend Leadership Conference, Receive National Award

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By Elizabeth Muscari

The annual Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values Central Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana is the go-to conference for Greek communities across the country. As the nation's largest gathering of fraternal colleges, the conference serves as a way to connect campuses, inform students on current Greek Life topics, and provide various useful trainings. 

This February, 69 student leaders from the Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, and United Greek Council represented the third largest delegation at the conference. This number was certainly something to be proud of, considering 4,000 Greeks attended, hailing from 300 campuses. 

Students attended informative educational sessions, had opportunities to visit with national headquarters staff, as well as engage with Greek student leaders from across the country. U of A Greek Life staff members, Parice Bowser and Zachary Littrell, also presented during the conference. Our students were also able to build cross-council unity and relationships. 

Phi Delta Theta President Andrew Hudspeth says the conference inspired him. "I learned the value of working with NPHC and UGC. That is why we are working with Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. on our very first join philanthropy event in the coming weeks." 

United Greek Council Vice President of Programming Lizeth Martinez noted the strategies she learned, "I learned that visibility within my council is possible if I communicate with my advisor and with other members outside of my council." 

Razorbacks got to show off their dance moves while attending, too. Members competed in the long-time AFLV partner National Black Greek Leadership Conference's stroll competition. As part of their pre-show preparations, students learned about strolling, a traditional form of celebratory dance performed by many Greek organizations. 

Former Panhellenic President (2019) and two-time stroll performer, Kaylee Smith explains, "The stroll competition is a way for our student leaders to meet people from different councils and form relationships that in return creates a more unified Greek community." 

The Hogs took home 2nd place, along with the title "The People's Champs" as nicknamed by the evening's host and popular YouTube sensation, Zoie. 

UA Greeks continued to receive recognition at the awards banquet. Councils were honored with national awards in the following categories: Accountability, Education, Innovation, Collaboration, and Marketing:

• National Panhellenic Council: Collaboration, Education, Accountability Innovation, 2nd Place in Marketing 
• Interfraternity Council: Collaboration, Education, Innovation, Accountability
• National Pan-Hellenic Council: Collaboration 
• United Greek Council: Education, Accountability, 2nd Place in Marketing, 2nd Place in Management

Former National Pan-Hellenic President and current Treasurer Nikolaus Harper believes next year will be even more successful, saying, "We're dedicated to strengthening our chapters and councils, so I can't wait to see our hard work continue to pay off."

For more information about Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values, please visit www.aflv.org or visit www.youtube.com to view the University of Arkansas Greek Life's stroll performance.