Research Grants

Advancing Research-to-Practice

Advancing Research – AFA drives the empirical study of both the fraternity/sorority profession and the fraternity/sorority experience that better defines evidence-based research and professional practice.

As an organization central to the success of both fraternities and sororities AND the fraternity/sorority profession, AFA is committed to the advancement of research that serves to strengthen the professional practice of those committed to student success, student health and wellness, and student persistence/retention within the fraternity/sorority experience. This page serves as a central resource to understand AFA’s strategic research aims designed to improve our understanding of our profession, and to showcase AFA’s research grants program designed to resource those committed to answering the critical questions necessary to better understand and resource the fraternity/sorority experience.

AFA’s Strategic Research Aims

In advancing AFA’s commitment to research, AFA recognizes it is uniquely positioned to facilitate progress in answering some of the most important questions that have the potential to guide, inform, and strengthen the practice of the fraternity/sorority professional. AFA has developed four key research aims that focus the efforts of the Association as it drives, commissions, and grants research dollars.

1. Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: This includes but is not limited to research connected to inclusive joining processes, coalition building, belonging as a function of inclusion, social identity development tied to fraternity/sorority membership, and cultural change.
2. Prevention Work: This includes but is not limited to research connected to hazing, alcohol and other drugs, gender-based/power-based or sexual violence, and prevention/intervention frameworks designed to increase health and safety behaviors.
3. Socialization and Entryway into the Fraternity/Sorority Experience: This includes but is not limited to research connected to recruitment, intake, and member education processes, including timing of joining processes.
4. Success in the Fraternity/Sorority Life Profession: This includes but is not limited to research connecting staffing & advising structures, competency building, and staff retention & attrition.

2021-2022 Granted Research

Project Title: Examining the Values of Multiculturalism, Equity, and Justice within the NMGC
Principle Investigator: Gia Born, National Multicultural Greek Council
Grant Amount: $2,102.50
Status Update: In Progress

2020-2021 Granted Research

Project Title: Exploring Racial Equity Efforts in Sorority and Fraternity Life Communities
Principle Investigator: Crystal Garcia, Ph.D., University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Grant Amount: $2,531
Status Update: In Progress

Project Title: Pandemic Onboarding: Professional Socialization Experiences of Fraternity/Sorority Professionals Hired During COVID-19 
Principle Investigator: Kevin Bazner, Ph.D., Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi 
Grant Amount: $1,700
Status Update: In Progress

Project Title: Words Alone Won’t Solve Systemic Racism: National Panhellenic Conference Sorority Leadership
Experiences
Principle Investigator: Ericka Roland, Ph.D., University of Texas at Arlington 
Grant Amount: $600
Status Update: Completed and Published.

Project Title: Fraternity Men’s Wellness in Collegiate Environments
Principle Investigator: Jessie Ashton, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity
Grant Amount: $2,500
Status Update: In Progress

2019-2020 Granted Research

Project Title: Racism & the Racial Identity Development of Black Men in Predominantly White Fraternities
Principle Investigator: Ashley Christman, Ed.D., University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
Grant Amount: $2,625
Status Update: Completed and published. 

Project Title: Job Satisfaction in Fraternity and Sorority Advising
Principle Investigator: Kara Miller McCarty, Ph.D., Colorado State University
Grant Amount: $1,075
Status Update: Completed and published.