Scholarship, Fellowship,
Leadership and Service
At the heart of our sorority are four pillars that form the foundation of its mission and values: scholarship, fellowship, leadership, and service. These pillars guide our sorority's efforts to create a community that fosters personal growth, academic excellence, and civic engagement. Through its commitment to these pillars, the sorority strives to empower its members to become leaders in their fields and communities, while also supporting one another in their personal and professional endeavors.
About Our Pillars
Scholarship
Academic excellence is a top priority for the members of this professional agriculture sorority. The sorority provides resources and support to help members achieve their academic goals, such as study groups, tutoring, and scholarship opportunities. Additionally, the sorority recognizes academic achievement through awards and honors. Members are encouraged to pursue excellence in their studies while balancing their involvement in the sorority and other activities. By fostering a culture of academic excellence, the sorority helps prepare its members for success in their careers and beyond.
Fellowship
Fellowship and community-building are integral components of this professional agriculture sorority. The sorority provides numerous opportunities for members to connect and build relationships with each other, including social events, retreats, and service projects. Members are encouraged to support and uplift one another, creating a sense of belonging and support within the sorority. Additionally, the sorority fosters connections between members and industry leaders, creating opportunities for networking and professional development. By prioritizing fellowship and community-building, the sorority creates a supportive and collaborative environment that benefits all its members.
Leadership
As a professional agriculture sorority, leadership development is a key focus for members. The sorority provides various opportunities for members to take on leadership roles and develop their skills, including serving on committees, running for elected positions, and organizing events. Additionally, the sorority partners with industry leaders and organizations to provide members with access to leadership training and development programs. Through these opportunities, members can hone their leadership abilities, build their professional network, and gain valuable experience that can help them excel in their future careers.
Service
The service pillar of our sorority is a core value that emphasizes the importance of giving back to the community. Through service projects and philanthropic events, members have the opportunity to make a positive impact on their local community and beyond. The sorority may partner with organizations that align with their values and goals, or they may develop their own initiatives to address specific needs. Members may participate in a variety of activities such as volunteering at food banks, organizing fundraising events, or supporting disaster relief efforts. The service pillar not only benefits the community but also allows members to develop leadership skills, build relationships, and gain a sense of purpose and fulfillment through helping others.
Pillar Events
Throughout the semester, Eta chapter hosts several chapter nights and events dedicated to our pillars. Joining a professional agriculture sorority such as Sigma Alpha can offer numerous benefits to members, especially in terms of personal and professional growth. Here are some examples of past and current events that we use to emphasize our sorority's pillars:
Scholarship
We place a high value on academics, recognizing the critical role it plays in the success of our members. While we require a minimum GPA of 2.5, we encourage our members to aim higher and strive for excellence in their studies. Our national organization recognizes and rewards outstanding academic achievement through the Emerald Scholar Awards, which are given to members with a GPA of 3.75 or greater.
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We offer a range of resources and initiatives to support our members' academic growth, including study groups, sister tutoring, professional development seminars, and a library hour competition. These programs provide opportunities for members to improve their academic performance, gain new skills, and connect with their sisters in a supportive and collaborative environment. At Sigma Alpha, we believe that academic excellence is not only a personal achievement but also a key to unlocking future opportunities in the field of agriculture.
Fellowship
At Sigma Alpha, we pride ourselves on providing a welcoming and close-knit community for our members. As a sorority with a professional focus on agriculture, we share common interests and passions that make it easy to form lifelong bonds with our sisters.
Our social chair plans a variety of events throughout the year, including fun activities such as apple picking, ice skating, and hikes, as well as more formal events like our Emerald Ball semi-formal. These socials provide the perfect opportunity for our members to get to know each other and create memories that will last a lifetime.
In addition to our own events, we also participate in university-wide events such as Homecoming and Oozeball, where we proudly represent Sigma Alpha and show our school spirit. Overall, Sigma Alpha is a place where you can find your home away from home and create lifelong friendships with like-minded individuals who share your passions and goals.
Leadership
At our professional agriculture sorority, we understand the importance of strong female leadership in advancing the field. That's why we prioritize creating a comfortable and supportive environment for all members to develop their confidence and public speaking skills. We offer a range of opportunities for leadership growth, including positions on committees and in formal meetings, as well as access to leadership conferences and our annual national convention. With our focus on empowering women in agriculture, we are committed to helping our members become the strong and capable leaders the industry needs.
Service
Our National Sigma Alpha Philanthropies include Agriculture in the Community and Heifer International. Ag in the Community is a national mission to stimulate interest in agriculture in young people through providing educational sessions. We also are supporters of Heifer International, which is an organization that provides livestock to people in developing countries, allowing them better quality of life.
We also participate in different service activities on campus. In 2018 we raised over $10,000 as a sorority for Connecticut Children's Medical Center through participating in HuskyTHON - an 18 hour dance marathon. We also host a fundraiser in conjunction with UConn Volleyball's Dog Pound Challenge Tournament, with the goal of raising money for local animal shelters.