Meet the President of Panhellenic: Elaine Codd

UCLA junior, Elaine Codd has it going on. Not only is she the President of Panhellenic, the council that governs many of the sororities on campus, but she also is a member of UCLA’s Model United Nations and is working towards a psychology degree.  HC sat down with Elaine to find out exactly how her experiences have helped her and what valuable advice she can give to women seeking leadership positions both in the Greek community and outside of it.
 
HerCampus: What made you decide to join a sorority and become involved in Panhellenic?
Elaine Codd: I had friends who joined in Fall, and they really loved it so I thought I’d give rush a try and see what I thought. I didn’t want to miss out on such a unique college experience and also wanted to make this huge campus a little smaller. Once I joined my sorority I heard about Panhellenic and thought it sounded like a great leadership opportunity so I interviewed for it. The rest is history.
 
HC: In what ways do you think sororities positively impact the lives of women?
EC: I think sororities provide women with a solid support group as well as a great outlet for leadership ability. I know that personally being in a sorority has made me more self-confident, socially adept, and happy with my UCLA experience.
 
HC: What advice do you have for UCLA women pursuing leadership positions in clubs and organizations? How do you think that being President of Panhellenic has helped with your leadership capabilities? 
EC: Look for clubs that revolve around topics you’re interested in. Surround yourself with good, positive people. Don’t feel embarrassed of your Greek affiliation; use it to bolster your resume and when interviewing for leadership positions be sure to give good constructive examples from your Greek experience. Although I’ve only been President of Panhellenic for one quarter I’ve learned an incredible amount about compromise, respect, and problem solving. Being president has allowed me to experience different leadership situations and has really improved my overall leadership ability.
 
HC: What do you plan on doing with the skills you have used during your presidency?
EC: My long-term goal is to be a clinical psychologist, primarily a marriage and family therapist. I know that the people skills I’m developing now will really help me with this future goal. As President I also deal with a lot of sensitive, private issues, and I’ve learned to keep those private, which I know will also be the case in my future as a psychologist.