For Montana Alpha Maren MacLeod, becoming a member of Pi Beta Phi was “the first time she felt really good and happy” since she had arrived on Montana State University’s (MSU) campus. Maren’s transition to college from home was very difficult, but it slowly turned around starting on Sisterhood Night of primary recruitment. While sitting with a senior member, Maren had a moment of clarity and began to feel a sense of belonging and home at Pi Phi. Her Pi Phi big sis became an incredible support system during her first year of college, and has remained one ever since. Now that Maren lives in the Pi Beta Phi housing facility and has gotten to know more of her sisters better, her support system and feeling of home at MSU and Pi Beta Phi continues to grow.

Through chapter nomination, Maren serves on MSU’s Panhellenic Council. She is the Panhellenic Treasurer and will be a Recruitment Counselor for Potential New Members during MSU’s 2017-2018 primary recruitment.

Maren also serves her Bozeman, Montana, community by being a Child Advancement Project (CAP) Mentor through an organization called Thrive. Maren had previously been a camp counselor and enjoyed working with kids, and she kept hearing a lot of her Pi Phi sisters talk about this opportunity around the house, so she decided to get involved. Thrive prides itself on providing “families with the resources, tools, and support to raise healthy, successful children.” As a CAP mentor, Maren goes to an elementary school in the area to one-on-one tutor the same student each week. She helps him with his assignments and to grow in his education. Maren plans on continuing to be a CAP mentor through Thrive, and has really enjoyed her experience with this philanthropic service and giving back to the Bozeman community.

Maren was first drawn to Montana State University for its nursing program. However, while she was sitting in the audience of the program’s orientation, she felt like she wanted to help others through healthcare in a different way. Her father works for a nonprofit healthcare program, so she currently plans to use her passion for medicine and her major in Business Management to change lives in a similar way. This summer, Maren will be working in Bozeman, and she will be living in an apartment with other Pi Phi sisters.

Thank you for sharing your story with us, Maren, and we wish you the best in your future adventures!