A driving factor for Michigan Gamma Cassidy Nieves’ decision to participate in recruitment was her mother. Her mom enjoyed her own sorority experience and the relationships she developed and she wanted Cassidy to have it too. Luckily for Cassidy, she has found this not only within her chapter, but also as part of the Michigan State University (MSU) Panhellenic Community.

In her sophomore year, Cassidy decided she wanted to be more involved in the chapter; she was ready for the challenge of taking on an Executive Council position. Cassidy was elected the Vice President of Communications (VPC). One of her favorite memories in that role was helping plan Founders’ Day. This was extra special for Cassidy because she is fascinated by the history of Pi Beta Phi. However, it was her role as the Panhellenic Council (PHC) representative for the Michigan Gamma Chapter that helped her make a decision on what her next leadership role would be.

Now as a junior, Cassidy is Vice President of Community Relations for MSU’s PHC. “Pi Phi prepared me extremely well,” Cassidy said about her smooth transition of being on the chapter’s Executive Council to the PHC Board. In her current role, she is responsible for Greek Week, Safe Halloween and is the primary liaison between the Panhellenic, MSU and the city of East Lansing. Cassidy chose to serve on PHC to be more involved in Fraternity and Sorority Life. “[We all have] big lofty goals,” Cassidy said. “The purpose of PHC is to help the chapters accomplish what they want to accomplish and I’m excited to help them to meet their goals.”

One special part of serving on PHC is that Cassidy gets to serve along side fellow Michigan Gamma Mehak Ali who is the PHC Vice President of Recruitment Logistics. During Cassidy’s tenure as VPC, Mehak served on the chapter’s Executive Council as Vice President of Membership, so the opportunity to serve in similar roles for the Panhellenic Community is fun for them. “It can be nerve wrecking, but to have someone who knows how you work … it’s tremendous,” Cassidy said. “She is a supporting factor for me.” Two years strong working together, what a special opportunity for these Pi Phi leaders.