Gamma Phi Beta Resident Consultants

 Greek life just got a bit bigger! Virginia Tech welcomed its newest sorority, Gamma Phi Beta, to campus in February. While all of the new girls are excited about founding a new chapter, one of the most important things to have while establishing an organization is leadership. But how are you supposed to have concrete leadership when all 175 new members have no idea how or where to start?
That is where Elyse Gieschen (left) and Anna Sturdevant (right) come in! Elyse and Anna are resident consultants for Gamma Phi Beta International Sorority. They’re in charge of making sure that each new chapter of Gamma Phi has a smooth transition from a colony to an established chapter on campus. They’re both staying at Virginia Tech for the rest of the semester to oversee the new colony, and couldn’t be more thrilled to do so! It seems like quite a demanding job, but Elyse and Anna only had positive things to say about their experiences thus far. 

Her Campus Virginia Tech: What made you know that you wanted to be a resident consultant for new chapters?

Anna Sturdevant: Being a resident consultant is very rewarding.  Before I received the assignment to be the colonizing resident at Virginia Tech, I knew that this specific consultant would wear many different hats, all positively influencing new Gamma Phi Beta members. Whether I am wearing my educator hat and teaching the colony about the beauty of the organization or wearing the mentor hat, chatting about life and individual strengths, I enjoy every minute I spend with members. 

Elyse Gieschen: I love having the chance to build relationships with the members of new chapters as they learn more about Gamma Phi Beta and grow as a chapter.  I feel so lucky to experience the energy and passion of new chapters and to help them grow together as a sisterhood.
 
 
HCVT: How long have you held the position of resident consultant/ how many new chapters have you led across the nation?

AS: I have been the resident consultant for Virginia Tech since the beginning of January 2011.  Elyse and I were on the ground for Panhellenic’s formal recruitment, observing and preparing for our extension recruitment.  During the fall of 2010, Elyse and I worked together on a colonization project at Grand Valley State University.  I was not the resident consultant there, but I worked with the recruitment team and colony for six weeks.  It was only a taste of my role at Virginia Tech, which made me so excited to get started here.

EG: I have been a resident consultant for three semesters now.  I first worked with the Eta Gamma chapter at the University of Delaware in spring 2010; then I worked with the Eta Delta chapter at Grand Valley State University in Michigan in fall 2010; and now I’m working with our (soon-to-be) Eta Epsilon chapter at Virginia Tech! As a traveling consultant in the fall, I traveled to 17 different chapters around the country. I lead workshops about recruitment, ritual, membership, and more. I would meet with all officers in the chapter to discuss their roles and responsibilities and how to be a strong leader.  I enjoyed the unique opportunity of traveling because I met outstanding Gamma Phi Beta members and helped other members realize their amazing potential as a strong woman and Gamma Phi Beta!
 
 
HCVT: What do you think is the best, or most rewarding, part about your job?

AS: The most rewarding part of being a Collegiate Leadership Consultant for Gamma Phi Beta is seeing the success and passion in the eyes of members I get to work with.  I have helped a chapter find success in recruitment, given hope to chapter leaders, and given 175 women the opportunity to be a Gamma Phi Beta.  I love reminding Gamma Phi Betas what sisterhood is really about!

EG: I love having the chance to get to know the members individually and to see them begin to form friendships with each other.  There is no cooler feeling than seeing new friendships develop and knowing that you were a part of them.
 
 
HCVT: What has been one of the most memorable/ exciting experiences while establishing the new colony here at Virginia Tech?

AS: I will never forget the feeling of handing out bid cards on bid day.  The excitement and hope I saw in everyone gave me goose bumps and that’s when it hit me that we recruited the most amazing and passionate women at Virginia Tech.  Getting to know each member has been so rewarding!

EG: Thinking of our Bid Day celebration on February 13 in Owens will always bring a smile to my face.  I love seeing everyone decked out in her pink and brown, cheering and laughing together.  It’s a great feeling to know that at that point, we’re only at the beginning of many more good times together.
 

HCVT: Why do you think Gamma Phi Beta was chosen to come to Virginia Tech out of all the other options?

AS: I have been on a few extension presentations for Gamma Phi Beta and I’ve found that our connection with university officials and sorority women is strong, fun, and each side sees a future working with each other.  I believe that Gamma Phi Betas are so passionate about our organization and we can’t help but express that love in all we do. We truly want success and sisterhood for our members and our future in Gamma Phi Beta.
 
EG:  [I think] it was our proven success in past colonization projects and the support that we give our new chapters with consultants and volunteer leaders.  It was also important for us to feel a connection to the Panhellenic community here at Tech, and our representatives who were here for the presentation in the fall really felt that. They knew and trusted that the rest of the Panhellenic community would support our extension, and they have done that and so much more for us!