Mary Trier is a junior journalism major and the founder of Mizzou’s new leadership and success fraternity, Sigma Alpha Pi. Her Campus Mizzou caught up with Trier to hear about Sigma Alpha Pi and how you can get involved.
Her Campus Mizzou: Can you explain Sigma Alpha Pi?
Mary Trier: Sigma Alpha Pi is a national co-ed honor fraternity that helps “build leaders who make a better world.” They also go by the name, The National Society of Leadership and Success. The society was founded in 2001 and has expanded to over 300 schools with more than 200,000 members. Activities include guest speakers (ex: Goldie Hawn and Patch Adams), Leadership Training Day, and meetings with Success Networking Teams that help engage and motivate students toward their goals.
HCM: Why did you decide to start a chapter at Mizzou?
MT: When I tell people how all of this started, it’s interesting to see their reactions. I signed up for one of those mailing lists from a scholarship website and one day I got an e-mail about an “internship” with Sigma Alpha Pi. I looked into it, and found some things that caught my attention. The question, “What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?” was one of them. I’ve already achieved beyond what I had expected to in college, and that’s something everyone can do with the right push and mindset. The combination of pursuing new opportunities because of the potential positive outcome and getting help from others has landed me where I am today. In the society, we are there to help each other achieve goals we’ve put off or maybe haven’t even imaged yet.
HCM: What characteristics would a member have?
MT: We’re looking for members that are motivated to achieve their goals, interested in new opportunities, and inspired by people and happenings around them. We want students that are interested in the success of the chapter, as well as themselves and others.
HCM: What type of activities will Sigma Alpha Pi be involved in?
MT: After joining Sigma Alpha Pi, there are several events everyone has to attend in order to be inducted. They are: Leadership Training Day, three speaker events, and several meetings with their Success Networking Teams. Besides those events, students will also have the opportunity to attend socials, fundraisers, and community service events. The beauty of starting a new chapter is that we are paving the way in terms of what to do with our time. This means it’s what you make of it; and when you make suggestions for events, we’ll see if we can make it happen.
HCM: How can someone get involved in the fraternity?
MT: We’ll be sending out invitations to join SAPi in the following months. Until then, consider joining as a chair! It’s a great opportunity to get involved as well as build your experience, resume, and network. We will send out a limited amount of invitations the first time, so if you don’t receive one there’s always still an option of joining. There’s a short application on our website that requires a nomination from a faculty member.
HCM: What are you looking forward to most this year?
MT: Everything. It’s exciting to be on this adventure of starting something from the ground up. It will be fun to see the turn out at our first orientation meeting. Although every part of the process will be exhilarating, I’m probably most looking forward to induction toward the end of the year. Along with all of the other members, I will be getting inducted myself.
HCM: What goals/expectations do you have for Sigma Alpha Pi?
MT: Although we’re starting from the ground, we’re gonna hit the ground running. The National Office of Sigma Alpha Pi already has a program laid out for us, and by the time we have our first meeting, the Exec Board and I will have a full plan ready. What I expect is that we will be ready. My goal is that we have many people interested in what the society has to offer, and my hope is that everyone who is interested grows to care about the society. Everything is different when you are part of an organization that cares about you, listens to you, and that you care about in return.
HCM: How many people can become members?
MT: We don’t have a cap on membership. We want to include and be a resource for everyone who has an interest in Sigma Alpha Pi.
HCM: How can students get involved?
MT: Right now we’re accepting applications for our chair positions of Publicity Chair, Fundraising Chair, IT Coordinator, Society Events Chair, Social Events Chair, Membership Outreach Coordinator, and Community Service Chair. If that doesn’t fit your fancy, you can be on the committee of each of the chairs will have. Simply being a member comes with many activities in all of these realms, so you can also ease yourself into it that way if you want.
HCM: Do you have to have a specific major to join?
MT: No. The great thing about Sigma Alpha Pi is that it is not based on a major or type of group. You just have to want to succeed, and we’ll help you.
If you would like more information about Sigma Alpha Pi or how to join please contact Mary Trier at matth5@mail.missouri.edu.