The Arkansas Panhellenic Council was recently recognized as recipients of the 2023 Council Compass Awards at the Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values (AFLV), as well as Council Impact Awards while attending the Southeastern Greek Leadership Association Conference.  

For the second year in a row, the Arkansas Panhellenic Council has been awarded the Sutherland Award from the Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values. This award is among the highest level of council achievements and recognizes the top Panhellenic council in the nation. To be recognized, a council must earn a combined highest achievement score in the four directional areas: accountability, collaboration, education and innovation.  

Former Panhellenic President Kinsey Landry was elated with the honor and went on to say, "Being awarded the Shelley E. Sutherland Award of being the number one Panhellenic council in the nation in 2021 was a complete honor, but now keeping it here at Arkansas for 2022 and back-to-back years, holds a special level of pride. To see that what our 6,000 women do on our campus and in our community being recognized on a national level is truly a special credit.

"I hope this encourages the women of Arkansas Panhellenic to continue with the same momentum to bring awareness to serious topics, host programs that educate and grow our community and most of all, serve our philanthropies through hands-on service and raising funds to support our various causes." 

Sydney Kincaid and Kinsey Landry

While attending the Southeastern Greek Leadership Association Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, the newly elected Panhellenic Executive Board was able to accept awards on behalf of their predecessors. Here the council was awarded the Dr. Lori Hart Panhellenic Council of the Year Award. This honor is bestowed upon the top performing Panhellenic council within the Southeast. Among other awards were the Council Impact, Community Cultivation and Operational Excellence award. Additionally, the Arkansas Panhellenic Council was recognized in the subcategories of campus and community relations; cross-council collaboration; health, safety and accountability; strategic branding; social and cultural awareness; educational programming; academic enhancement; and civic and philanthropic engagement.  

Current Panhellenic President Sydney Kincaid had the opportunity to serve on the previous executive board and was most recently elected Panhellenic president for the 2023 school year. These honors were especially meaningful to her, as she was able to serve on the previous board and now lead the council currently. She shared that, "The Panhellenic Council at the University of Arkansas consistently strives to make impactful and lasting change both on campus and within our community. The Shelly E. Southerland and Dr. Lori Hart Panhellenic Council of the Year Awards are a testament to the dedication and work that has been done by so many women within our organization over the last year. We are honored to receive this award, as there were many highly qualified universities who were competing alongside us.

"To be recognized within the Southeastern region and nationally within Greek Life is an accomplishment that we take pride in, but we'll also use as motivation to continue pursuing purposeful initiatives. Our Panhellenic community is built on a foundation centered around service, sisterhood and developing effective members of the community. We hope to take these accomplishments and use them as a propeller of even more achievements." 

Parice S. Bowser, assistant vice chancellor of Greek Life and associate dean of students, said, "I am beyond proud of these women and the community that they lead. As our community continues to grow and flourish, so does the work. We look forward to continuing to do the work and making a difference not only on our campus, but both locally and nationally as well."

Throughout the year, the Panhellenic Council is advised by a Greek Life staff member. Students have one-to-one weekly meetings to discuss their programming efforts and events. 

"I sincerely appreciate the time and dedication that our Panhellenic adviser, Carissa Kelly, pours into these women," Bowser said. "She is passionate about building relationships, which is key to the overall success of this community. These awards are a deep reflection of her work and we would like to publicly recognize her efforts."