Washington and Lee University (W&L) is located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which gives its students the opportunity to enjoy hikes among the beautiful scenery. This is something Virginia Theta Janie Martin partakes in every weekend. Janie uses these hikes to clear her mind from the stress of surroundings. All she has to think about is getting to the summit of the mountain. What seems like the top of the world is invigorating and relaxing when she gets to her final destination.

Janie especially enjoys her time hiking because she is currently in her junior year with a rigorous academic schedule studying Computer Science and Finance. These studies captivate Janie’s problem solving inklings since she likes puzzles and logic-based skills. Janie may have recently found her niche: the intersection of business and computer science. Additionally, Janie found a way to apply her passion to her work in the chapter.

She was initiated in spring 2016 and immediately asked to serve as interim Vice President of Administration (VPA). Within her scope of responsibilities, Janie decided to start from scratch and create a new system to better track information about chapter members. She used what she learned in information sciences courses to help create a new system. In fact, she asked her professor for help.

At many chapters, a point system is used to determine room assignments, attendance at social events, etc., so it is very important to be organized and complete; this usually falls on the VPA to oversee. So what did Janie do to help Virginia Theta? Janie linked Excel sheets and survey forms to connect to a master sheet that oversees items like points, study hours, and philanthropy hours. The pages link points with corresponding point weights, match with attendance sheets and allow members to see where they stand in real time. Additionally, the new system allows for the chapter to be well informed without being repetitive. It allows them to maximize communication from the Executive Board with minimal amounts of questions and additional responsibilities placed on chapter leaders. “It is all about efficiency,” says Janie. She has been so effective in her role that she was just elected to another term as VPA.

Janie fell in love with the mountains and was captivated by the interconnected community that a small liberal arts campus provides. But W&L has become so much more than a physical place. For Janie, the W&L community supports the many interests she has from blending her academic work with a leadership position to spending the perfect Saturday hiking the mountains.