Purpose
Essentials is a monthly educational e-publication provided to AFA members to explore selected topics. Editions seek to start conversation around the way we approach our work and to illuminate innovative ways of pushing the fraternal movement forward. Editions are typically published on the second Wednesday of each month from February to November. Please note that pieces included in Essentials provide various perspectives across the field of fraternity/sorority life, and thus may not be reflective of the policies or positions of the association.
Submissions
AFA welcomes articles for Essentials that serve as catalysts for further exploration and discussion on topics relevant to the fraternal movement. Articles published in Essentials are meant to be starting points for further discussion by the AFA membership. While the articles are not meant to be lengthy, they should be thought provoking and applicable to the daily practice of at least a large portion of the AFA membership. Click to view the submission guidelines.
Leadership
2023 Editors
Hannah Blenden, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity
Amy Mustafa, Alpha Chi Omega
2023 Editorial Team
Adam Bantz, Kappa Alpha Theta Fraternity
Molly Bennett, Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity
Morgan Brickley, Triangle Fraternity
Jordan Fischette, University of Nevada – Las Vegas
Maggie Hayes, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Emily Oswalt, University of Minnesota
Ashley Rastetter-Metzger, Denison University
Armando Rijo, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Kyle Shatto, University of Tampa
Archives (2012-2022)
Vol. A Issue 01 – Essentials June 2012
- You’ve Got to Google Yourself | Aurora Meyer, Missouri State Teachers Association
- The Jumpstart: Simple Social Media Beginnings | Cori Wallace, Sigma Sigma Sigma
- Social Media Marketing | Bobby Grangier, Alpha Tau Omega & A. Jordan Fischette, Alpha Tau Omega
- Leading Where it Counts: Influencing Social Media Values-Congruence | Chris Blackburn, Ohio University, & Kevin Smith, Ohio University
- Engaging Participants Through Twitter: Six Reasons I Went From Skeptic to Fanatic| Dan Bureau, Ph.D.
Vol. A Issue 02 – Essentials July 2012
- Lessons Learned | Jennifer Jones-Hall & Charlie Warner
- You Can & Should Make a Career in Fraternity/Sorority Advising | John Mountz & Mandy Womack
- The Power of a Year: The Lessons of a New Professional | Angela Baugher
- Put Another Log on the Fire | Angela Guillory
- Top 10 Tips for Every New Campus Professional Working with Fraternities & Sororities | Colleen Dallavalle
Vol. A Issue 03 – Essentials August 2012
- UniLOA Explained | Mark Frederick, Ph. D. & Will Barratt, Ph. D.
- New FSAP CAS Standards: Aligning Enduring Principles of Higher Education with the Fraternal Movement | Dan Bureau
- Living Up to the Promise: Suggestions to Increase the Employability of Students in Fraternities/Sororities | Joseph Gebbie, M.S.Ed, MPS
Vol. A Issue 04 – Essentials October 2012
- AFA’s Student Development Theory Resource Guide: Helping You Put Theory into Practice | Dan Bureau
- Improving Advising Support through Continuing Education | Pietro Sasso, Ph.D.
- Inclusivity vs. Equity: Maximizing the Student Experience | Maria Iglesia & Christina Hernandez
- Creating Organizational Learning & Change Using Bolman’s & Deal’s Four Frames of Organizations | Essentials Board
Vol. A Issue 05 – Essentials November 2012
- Why I Bought In… and Why You Should, Too | Rick Barnes
- Lead by Example | Ival Gregory
- Developing Experience Through Deliberative Practice | Dan Wrona
- Volunteering is the Best Professional Development | Cat Sohor
- Four Ideas to Stay Happy as a Professional | Alex Snowden
Vol. B Issue 01 – Essentials February 2013
- To Dual or Not to Dual?| Sam Centellas
- Governing Councils: Set Up for Success?| JoAnn Arnholt, Kendall Niccum & Amy Vojta
- Supporting Chapters with Dual Council Membership | Kelly Jo Karnes
- Umbrella Organizations: The Cause & Challenge | Mary Peterson
Vol. B Issue 02 – Essentials March 2013
- When It’s Time to Move On | Joseph Rios
- Leveraging Transformative Learning in the Job Search Process| Sarah E. Schoper, Kristen J. Wyse, & Todd R. Rotgers
- Purposeful Networking| Jessica Gendron Williams
- Preparing to Address Student Development Theories During the Job Interview | Julie Bunson, David Rowe, & Dr. Melissa Johnson
- How to Address Student Development Theory in Job Interviews | Dr. Brian Bourke
- Helping Students Highlight Their Fraternity/Sorority Experience in the Job Search | Maggie Becker
Vol. B Issue 03 – Essentials April 2013
- Tax-Exempt Status: How It Can Be Lost And Found Again | Justin Wenger
- A Beginner’s Guide to Tax Filing Requirements | Neil D. Gilpin, CPA
- Using Chapter Finances as a Developmental Tool | Katherine Carnell
- Simple Tips to Survive on a Tight Budget | Paul Artale
Vol. B Issue 04 – Essentials May 2013
- Social Class Reconsidered: Examining the Role of Class and Privilege in Fraternities & Sororities | Krista M. Soria
- Do You Understand the Words that are Coming Out of My Mouth? Language Accessibility and International Students in Fraternity & Sorority Life | Natalie Shaak
- Issues of Access and Affordability in Fraternities & Sororities | Allison Bressler, Justin Fisher, Becky Koltonski, & Michelle Marchand
- But, We Have a Philanthropy for That! | Matthew Gilsbach
- CAS Standards: Access and Equity | Dan Bureau, PhD
- College: What it Was, Is, and Should Be | Steve Backer
- Title IX Empowers Fraternities to Include Transgender Members | Nathan Arrowsmith & Stevie V. Tran
Vol. B Issue 05 – Essentials June 2013
- Make Assessment Easier Than You Think: Understand Assessment Data Concepts & Their Application | Newman Chun Wai Wong & Kevin Bazner
- Common Statistical Analyses: A Primer | Joshua Schutts
- Additional Considerations in Fraternity/Sorority Assessment | Pietro Sasso, Ph.D.
- Moving Beyond Assessment to Continuous Development & Improvement | Tara Leigh Sands & AnneMarie Cucci
- Why Assessment? Considerations for the Campus-Based Fraternity/Sorority Professional | Johnny Robinson
- Making Assessment Part of Your Routine | Holly Grunn & Jeffrey Kegolis, Ph.D.
- Utilizing Research Methods to Evaluate & Assess Sexual Aggression & Gender Roles | Jaclyn M. D’Andrea & Dianne Timm, Ph.D.
Vol. B Issue 06 – Essentials July 2013
- Building a Culture of Collaboration | Tim Wilkinson
- Nine Things I’ve Learned about Membership Reviews | Dave Westol
- Book Review: Moving Icebergs: Leading People to Lasting Change | Lindsay Ritenbaugh
- 10 Rules for Engaging the “Enemy” (a.k.a. Conducting a Membership Review) | Karl Grindel
- I Did Not Drink the Kool-Aid. Should You? | Emilee Danielson Burke
- The Harsh Reality | Andrew Baker
Vol. B Issue 07 – Essentials August 2013
- The School Newspaper is Not Out to Get Us | Natalie Shaak
- Book Review: American Fraternity Man | Shauna Prentice & Mary Osbourne
- Making News, Not Making the News | D. McCall Pitts
- FERPA & Open Records Laws | F. LoMonte
- Let’s Talk About Talking: Positive Social Media Use in Fraternity/Sorority Communities | Amber R. Jolly & Brittany N. Barnes
Vol. B Issue 08 – Essentials September 2013
- The Middle Won’t Come to You | T.J. Sullivan
- Social Change According to John Wooden | Daniel Springer
- Training for Leadership: It’s a Fact, Not Fiction | Dr. Martin F. Hill & Darryl K. McGee
- No More Camels: Harnessing the Creative Power of Groups | Matt Deeg
Vol. B Issue 09 – Essentials October 2013
- What if Alumni/ae Volunteers Were the Focus of our Work? | Carolyn E. Whittier, Ph.D.
- What If We Asked Our Students to Stop Complaining & Start Creating Change? | Matthew C. Nance
- What if Assessment Advanced Our Practice? | Joseph D. Levy
- What If I Had Saved Them From Failing? | Scott Isenga
- What If One Can Be at Peace from Technology? | Michelle Castro
- What If We Are the Problem? | Noah Borton & Haley Seeley
Vol. B Issue 10 – Essentials November 2013
- How to Create Change? Get Over Yourself & Do the Work. | Abbie Schneider
- Ecological Development and Personal Change | Cristobal Salinas Jr. & Aja Holmes
- Start: Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average & Do Work that Matters | Gabrielle Rimmaudo
- Back to School: Transitioning from National Headquarters to Graduate School | Kyle Martin
- Welcome Back, Kotter | Casey Krone
Vol. B Issue 11 – Essentials December 2013
- Professional Development in Advising Black Greek Letter Organizations: Foundations for Future Skill Building | Dave A. Louis, Ph.D., & Sarah L. Louis
- Back to the Future | Bob Kerr
- The Dreaded Theory Question: Acing your Interview by Connecting Theory to Practice | Jody Donovan & Amy Bell
