Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracey Liphardt and Kathryn Hartmann.
Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today. You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like.
Katie (Executive Director): I’m originally from Baltimore, MD, and attended college at Davis and Elkins College in Elkins, WV. While I was there, I was a founding member of the Theta Phi Alpha chapter that was opened in 2005. I chose to be a member of that organization because I wanted to make a difference in my campus community and the group of women that I met were so welcoming and accepting of me. My choosing to join Theta Phi Alpha was a pivotal moment in my life because, while I didn’t know it at the time, it directed my future career goals. I went on to receive my Masters in Student Development in Higher Education, which led me to being a fraternity and sorority advisor at two different institutions of higher education prior to taking over my current role of Executive Director at Theta Phi Alpha. Prior to making Theta Phi Alpha my full time role, I served as a volunteer for the organization working with our collegiate chapters and then as a Grand Council member.
Tracey (President): I grew up in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan and attended GMI Engineering & Mgt Institute, which is now Kettering University in Flint, MI. I studied mechanical engineering and now work in the automotive industry. It was never my plan to join a sorority but I participated in recruitment just to check it out. I discovered that Theta Phi was the place for me, they were laid back, smart, and incredible people. Little did I know how much I would benefit from that decision. The leadership opportunities were a training ground for my career, the relationships are going to last a lifetime and the service opportunities are almost endless. I started volunteering with a local chapter shortly after graduation and have been volunteering on the national level for almost as long. I have served on our chapter administration team, on our Foundation, as Parliamentarian and created our National Housing Corporation. I now serve in an elected volunteer position as National President.
What obstacles have you experienced in Theta Phi Alpha and how did you overcome them (individually and/or organizational)?
Katie (Executive Director): Theta Phi Alpha continues to struggle with the negative effects on higher education caused by the pandemic and declining enrollment in colleges and universities. Our main source of revenue is through our collegiate chapters, so anything that affects higher education has an adverse effect on the organization.
Tracey (President): Theta Phi has been the ”place” I go to when dealing with obstacles in my life. My sisters are my friends and sounding board, they are the people who are completely honest with me. As an organization, we are regularly fighting the negative stereotypes of fraternities and sororities in the media. Some of it is definitely earned by the behavior of other organizations’ members and chapters. We work hard to educate our members on best practices in event management and how to positively contribute to our communities by providing positive experiences for all members.
Please tell us more about your professional life and career. How do you incorporate Theta Phi Alpha?
Katie (Executive Director): As I mentioned previously, my decision to join Theta Phi Alpha shaped my career in a way I would have never known at the time. It led me to working with college students and higher education, and now as our Executive Director.
Tracey (President): I am a manufacturing manager at a US automotive company. I have used my leadership experiences from Theta Phi on my resume. When I need career advice, I go to my Theta Phi sisters! One of my favorite Theta Phi Alpha memories was an etiquette dinner (at a previous Convention) and I have carried those learnings with me to many business meals. As a hiring manager now, I look for sorority or fraternity experience on candidate’s resumes because I know the commitment and dedication required in those roles.
Please tell us more about your upcoming Convention and how is this a part of Theta Phi Alpha tradition?
Katie (Executive Director): Convention is the supreme governing body of our organization that meets every two years. We meet in various cities across the country to ensure that it is accessible from different areas of the country. This is where we vote on changes to the constitution and ritual ceremonies of the organization. The 2022 convention in Memphis will be my sixth convention that I have attended and my first as the Executive Director.
Tracey (President): This is Theta Phi Alpha’s 53rd Convention. Our first one was in 1919 in Detroit, MI. It was in Detroit because we were founded at the University of Michigan in 1912. I think Memphis will be my 12th Convention but my first as National President since we were not able to hold our 2020 Convention. We cannot wait to be together again! We end the entire event on Saturday evening with a banquet where we wrap up our celebration and install the new Grand Council. Grand Council is Theta Phi’s elected volunteer board that serves 2 year terms. We also announce the location of our next Convention – where will we be in 2024?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thetaphialpha.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetaphialpha_national/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThetaPhiAlphaFraternity
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Theta_Phi_Alpha
