Continuing their commitment to being ‘a valued partner in higher education’, Sigma Phi Epsilon has committed to ‘elevating the standard’ by establishing the ‘Sigma Phi Epsilon Fund for Senior Student Affairs Officer Development’ with the AFA Foundation. A shared gift between Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and the Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation, this gift recognizes the importance of an engaged senior student affairs leader in the continued success of fraternities and sororities on their campus.
“Building Balanced Men is SigEp’s mission and that mission has never been more important than it is today. Across the board, young men are falling behind and, in many cases, struggling — in academic performance, persistence to graduation, mental health, social connectedness and career preparedness,” said Brian Warren, chief executive officer of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. “The societal problems driving this decline are only getting worse, and our communities are in danger of losing a generation of young men to a lack of purpose and undeveloped leadership potential. This has to change…Only true partnership – based on shared philosophies, mutual understanding, and genuine trust – will achieve the change we desperately need.”
The new fund aligns with AFA’s vision that every single senior student affairs officer who leads sorority and fraternity communities will be prepared with the working knowledge to:
- Leverage fraternity and sorority students and alumni to accomplish divisional and institutional goals;
- Understand and develop the human resources necessary to effectively support the fraternity and sorority experience; and
- Advocate for the growth of the fraternity and sorority experience on their campuses.
“SigEp believes that chapters can truly thrive when there is strong institutional commitment and support for a healthy and vibrant fraternity and sorority experience. We seek to help our chapters, and whole communities, raise their bar,” said Warren. “Sigma Phi Epsilon and the Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation are truly honored to help the AFA Foundation Elevate the Standard and celebrate AFA’s 50th Anniversary with this gift.”
This commitment will provide targeted professional development to senior student affairs officers with the goal of expanding knowledge of, support for, and connection to the sorority and fraternity profession. This investment addresses AFA’s commitment to a stronger and further reaching professional development program, while expanding support upwards towards university decision makers. AFA’s first opportunity to leverage this gift will be in direct support for their intensive for Assistant/Associate Vice Presidents at the NASPA AVP Symposium in January 2025.
