The University of North Texas (UNT) is a huge school, but a small enough campus that you do not feel lost and you always see people you know. That is one of the reasons Texas Epsilon Micayla Roach was interested in attending school there. She also knew that being part of the fraternity and sorority community would make campus feel even more manageable. She had visited her older sister, Texas Epsilon Danielle Roach, at UNT and saw first hand the amazing relationships created by being part of a sisterhood. Danielle encouraged her younger sister to participate in recruitment but to go where she felt she belonged. Micayla found where she belonged in Pi Beta Phi.

Being a member of Pi Phi has not only helped Micayla find a place at UNT, but also prepared her to serve the chapter as Vice President of Administration (VPA). The role of VPA has many different components and has been a huge learning opportunity. Coming into college, Micayla was quiet and reserved, but the role has helped her come out of her comfort zone. The first semester was difficult transition as she had to learn her new job as well as how to navigate her role on Executive Council rather than being a member at large. She realized this most while chairing the Policy and Standards Board. She learned that being a sincere friend meant Micayla had to take on another role with her sisters, often having difficult conversations with them. Micayla learned how to balance everything and reports it was great experience. She helped her sisters uphold their values and coached them on how to hold each other accountable during her term. “My chapter changed and the women blossomed.”

Micayla believes the skills learned as the VPA helped her to be selected for the Panhellenic Recruitment team for next year. As a Rho Gamma, or Recruitment Counselor, the women are expected to help Potential New Members through the process of primary recruitment. In some cases they may have difficult conversations including helping Potential New Members decide between two chapters or helping her understand why she was released from a certain chapter. Being VPA prepared Micayla for this role because of her experience navigating challenging conversations. She is confident that set her apart in the interview process. “It’s cool because something I learned from Pi Phi can be used to serve the entire Panhellenic community.”