Alpha Gamma Delta - University of Alabama

The Squirrel's Nest 2 DEVOTION RUNS DEEP FOR CHAPTER ADVISOR LISSA HANDLEY TYSON '83 W hen Lissa Handley Tyson's '83 mother pledged Alpha Gamma Delta at Queens College in 1953 and transferred to Alabama the next year, no one could have known the impact she and her family would have on Psi Chapter. Grandmother Elissa Venable Handley '54 loved Alpha Gamma Delta and served as the membership chairman during her time with the chapter. From Roanoke, Ala., Lissa followed in her mother's and sister Rosa Handley Hopper's '79 footsteps and pledged in 1982. She served as the assistant recruitment chairman, recruitment chairman, and then president her senior year. All of these leadership roles prepared her for her future role, not only as chapter advisor, but as mother to three daughters who all served as presidents of Psi Chapter. Her eldest daughter and namesake, Lissa Handley '09, now a medical school resident at UAB, pledged in 2009. Lissa served as an officer all three years, finishing out her senior year as president. Although daughter Lissa was president before her mother was chapter advisor, she is so happy to see her mother in this role. Daughter Lissa said, "Deciding to become the chapter advisor was a big decision for my mom, but from the moment she took the role, her commitment to the chapter has been so strong. Mom enjoyed being the chapter advisor; being able to be a part of the individual lives of the girls in the house is the part she loves most. She is constantly in Tuscaloosa or in communication with the girls in the chapter. Investing in a younger generation has truly become part of her divine assignment during this season of life. Mom makes sacrifices all the time to come to Tuscaloosa, make calls, have meetings, send emails and it all comes so naturally to her. She is a humble leader who puts in so much time and energy behind the scenes. Above all, she is committed to provide the consistent, motherly love and counsel that any college girl benefits from. I am blessed to have her as my full-time mom and happy to share her as a mom to all the girls she has taken under her wing." Daughter Mary Harmon Tyson '12, recently married and living in Tampa, pledged in 2012. Mary Harmon served as an officer all three years as well. She was president 2015 through 2016 and got to serve under her mother's guidance. Mary Harmon said, "I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with my mom when she was chapter advisor and I served on Alpha Gamma Delta's Executive Council. She never ceases to amaze me. She is one of the hardest workers I know, which is why she is so perfect for this role. She truly cares for every single member and does everything in her power to create successful and enjoyable experiences for every member. I will always treasure my time serving with her. She pushed me, encouraged me, and loved me through all the fun and emotional times. I am very thankful we had that special time together." Mae Rose Tyson '14 pledged in 2014 and has often been called her mother's twin. It is true they look so much alike. Now in graduate school, Mae Rose also had praise for her mother in her role as chapter advisor. According to Mae Rose, "Mom is quick to lead with love, grace and hospitality as she fights for those she cares for. After witnessing first-hand her role as chapter advisor, I must say it is every bit time-consuming and challenging, but it has been perfect for Mom. She loves leading people on a journey to get out of their comfort zone and discover their gifts and passions. I believe Mom is able to love these girls so well because she loves them out of the overflow of her love for Jesus. The older I get, the more I am inspired to be like her in the way she passionately serves others out of the goodness of her heart. She never requests recognition, but instead gets her greatest reward from seeing the girls experiencing the best four years of their lives emotionally, physically and spiritually. I know I may be biased, but I sure do believe my Alpha Gamma Delta sisters in Tuscaloosa are in wonderful hands under her leadership." And it's not just her daughters who think so highly of her. Executive Council advisor Nancy Richeson Siniard '74, who serves under Lissa, has been overwhelmed by the quiet and determined leadership she has provided the chapter. According to Nancy, "Lissa has guided the girls through many demanding, and sometimes difficult, decisions with maturity and wisdom that has inspired our members and taught them so much about the challenges of leadership. She is truly a 'servant leader' and one any parent would be thrilled to see guide their daughter." It gives Nancy a lot of comfort knowing the chapter is in her hands and that she is so engaged on all levels with the business aspects of running a home for 475-plus women as well as their emotional well-being. "She likes to fly under the radar and doesn't seek attention at all, but her commitment is incredible," she added. Callie Cochran'15, the Campus Relations Vice President, shared, "Lissa Tyson is a superwoman! Her guidance and wisdom in leading our chapter is something truly special to watch. I love learning from her, especially by watching the way she serves to make an eternal impact. Her thoughtful reminders to be the leaders we were created to be have shaped us, not only as a board of directors for the house, but have also molded us into the influential women she continually inspires us to be on a larger scale. She is the first to congratulate me on my successes and the first to encourage me on my hardest days. Since my freshman year, I have been inspired by her legacy of leadership and I have only grown to respect her more. As I've progressed in Alpha Gamma, she's become a role model of mine. The lessons I've learned from her intentional, caring, inspiring leadership call me to be a better leader in each role I step into on campus, in my professional life and my personal relationships. She continues to manage the large-scale business that Alpha Gamma Delta has become with efficiency and effectiveness. What I'm most thankful for is the way she will continue to pour into the chapter she loves so dearly with kindness and dedication. She is irreplaceable, not only as an advisor but as my friend and sister." Psi Chapter is so fortunate to have Lissa in this role as well as her entire family who has been such an important part of the chapter's history. We are grateful for her continued leadership of the chapter and the impact she is having on the members. Her devotion runs deep and the standing of the chapter is a reflection on her incredible ability to invest in our members lives. "Lissa Tyson is a superwoman! Her guidance and wisdom in leading our chapter is something truly special to watch." Lissa '83, son Paul, Mae Rose '14, Mary Harmon '12, Lissa Handley '09, and husband, Marc Tyson.

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