Overview

Throughout my five years as an undergraduate and graduate student at Quinnipiac University, I was involved with Alpha Phi Omega, the largest co-ed service fraternity in the United States. I entered college as someone who had general interactions with my peers and strangers, to someone who willingly did numerous service projects to organizations and people in the community. I continue to do community service whenever I can, but I have transitioned to an advisory and liaison role with two chapters at universities in Massachusetts. I feel it is my duty to continue my strength in volunteerism and to spread that message to current college students and promote the cardinal principles of leadership, friendship and service. I feel it is important to be a productive and responsible citizen outside of the classroom.

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Importance

Focusing on the students’ needs, I view student activities – specifically volunteering – as an ideal way to get involved out of the classroom. As mentioned previously, they are able to learn how to become productive and responsible citizens in their communities and around the world. In other words, global citizenship is a key factor in volunteerism. Thinking of my role as professional in admissions and student activities, I view students who want to become involved in volunteering are already thinking as a global citizen. Even if students do not want to volunteer, they have time to broaden horizons and interests while in college. When I read applications, I always look for ways the applicants have contributed to their communities. This demonstrates they are willing to help others and potentially join organizations on campus. As I transition to an admissions counselor position, it will be important to keep finding these clues in essays in addition to speaking with them directly. As I listen to their stories in person, I will be able to give suggestions on how to become involved on campus, whether it is volunteering or another field.

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Skills Gained

As a result of volunteering and continuing to advise students who volunteer, I have learned to stay openminded with the tasks I am doing. No matter what I am asked to do by organizations, businesses or individuals, I think to myself “this will benefit someone who does not have the resources to complete a certain task.” Leadership also plays into volunteering, as I have had to designate tasks to groups and decide on locations for community service. As a student I served on the executive board of my chapter and as an advisor and liaison I communicate with other members and oversee operations of a specific chapter. While I do oversee the chapter, the students are ultimately running meetings and making decisions on service events, so one could say I am there for moral support and facilitating. For this reason, another skill is being able to step back and observe, not being in the middle of the action.

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Impact

Being a brother of Alpha Phi Omega both as a student and alumni volunteer has been impactful in my life in terms of leadership, friendship and service. In my time as an advisor, I oversaw the chartering process of Northeastern University’s chapter and induction of more than 100 brothers into the organization. The chartering was completed in just under two years and I was proud of all the work the students did during that time. In terms of friendship, I have made lifelong friends and colleagues through the organization, including meeting my wife through it. Finally, in terms of service, I completed more than 1,000 hours of community service in my time as a brother at Quinnipiac University. The experiences and skills I have learned through Alpha Phi Omega have impacted me greatly and I still use them today in admissions and volunteering.