Pi Beta Phi - University of Colorado

A Home Away from Home RACHEL SHAW MAGNUSSON'S EXPERIENCE AS A PI PHI PAGE 2 Want to be featured in your chapter newsletter? Or know a sister whose story should be shared? Let us know at pibetaphi.org/member-news. F or Rachel Shaw Magnusson '07, fraternity and sorority life runs in the family. Both her parents joined organizations in college, and she kept the tradition alive when the time came for her own recruitment. "Pi Beta Phi just felt right," she said. "Preference Night sealed the deal for me with their flower ceremony and the authenticity of the members." As an out-of-state student, Colorado Alpha gave Rachel immediate connections and a "home away from home" feeling. Rachel says, "I felt then, and still do as an alumna, like a part of something much bigger than myself." Rachel earned a bachelor's degree from the LEEDS School of Business and says her involvement in Pi Phi benefited her personal and professional endeavors. "Being part of a sorority provided me with people and time management skills at an early age, which allowed for an easy and smooth transition into the work world," she shared. Rachel held the role of Vice President Event Planning, overseeing recruitment events, sisterhoods and socials. "My passion has always been connecting people, and the role allowed me to do just that." She spent the first decade of her professional career in commercial real estate before focusing on the mental health of college students at her alma mater for the next five years. "Balancing both my career and family life, and making self-care a priority, has been something I'm most proud of," she says. "Now I'm taking all that knowledge about mental health into parenthood." Pi Phi's tagline—Friends and Leaders for Life—holds a special meaning for Rachel. "It not only illustrates the importance of friends, connection and community, but also that every action we take impacts others. Whether or not we believe it, we are leaders in one way or another." Even after graduation, Rachel's connection to the Pi Beta Phi family continues to grow. Though her sisters joked that she "lived and breathed Pi Phi" in college, she still finds new friendships in her local Pi Phi alumnae club. "I've gained a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Pi Phi by staying involved with collegiate members as well as other alumnae, especially those from other chapters." Pi Beta Phi had such a profound impact on Rachel that she even met her husband at a Pi Phi formal in 2007. "Eleven of my sorority sisters were at my wedding five years after graduating," she mentioned. "I still keep in touch with most of them on a weekly basis. My daughter, now 2 years old, is a Pi Phi in training." Rachel will forever be grateful to Pi Beta Phi for teaching her people management/leadership skills, the importance of community service and that sisterhood is for life. You can connect with Rachel at rachelsmagnusson@gmail.com. Chapter Officers Chapter President Ruby Wheeler '21 Vice President Operations Grace Cook '20 Vice President Risk Management Sydney Croy '20 Vice President Member Experience Nicole Ventimiglia '21 Vice President Finance/Housing Amelia Cooper '20 Vice President Community Relations Fiona Martin '21 Vice President Inclusion Madison Moore-Lynch '21 Vice President Recruitment Avery Stites '20 AAC Chair Linda Ibsen, Colorado Beta '66 AAC Operations Amanda Wynne Heywood, Wyoming Alpha '07 AAC Risk Management Marla Battle Schroeder, Montana Alpha '89 AAC Member Experience Allison Smith Butler, Virginia Zeta '08 AAC Finance/Housing Aletta Caterina Marciano, California Mu '16 AAC Housing Meera Goel, Colorado Alpha '88 AAC Community Relations Tracie Davies Preston, Montana Alpha '89 AAC Recruitment Alexis Essa, Connecticut Alpha '08 Alumnae Advisory Committee (AAC) Rachel's daughter joins her in celebrating Founders' Day.

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