Alpha Chi Omega - University of Nebraska-Lincoln

the lyre letter XI CHAPTER OF ALPHA CHI OMEGA | UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN | SPRING 2022 T here are so many educational periods in our lives that only last for such a brief time: middle school (thank goodness), high school, college, and, for some, post-graduate school. What does not have to come to an end after four short years, however, is our sisterhood in Alpha Chi Omega. I want to challenge each of you to read this newsletter front to back, and when you are finished, reach out to one sister, no matter how long it has been, and let them know how they have made a difference in your life. This may not be a challenge for some; if that is the case, then your challenge is to reach out to one sister that you have not connected with for more than a year by sending a quick text, email, or message through social media. When you graduated from high school, however many years ago it has been, there was a reason you chose to enter the recruitment process and then another for why you accepted a bid to Alpha Chi Omega. You had gifts to offer to the chapter and to your new sisters, and in turn, they had gifts to offer you. Sisters, those gifts still exist, and the great news is that, through the years, we have all gained more experiences and talents that can be shared with each other. • Maybe you have a listening ear for a sister that is struggling and needs help being heard. • Maybe your positive mindset is just what a sister needs as she navigates a new career. • Maybe you need reconnection for your own self-care. • Maybe your experiences can inspire a sister about to navigate a similar path. • Maybe only you know what you need or have to offer at this point in your journey. Wherever you are at in life, you are an Alpha Chi Omega—a Real. Strong. Woman. with gifts to be shared. Today is the time to share your gifts with your sisters. Loyally in the Bond, Kristen Onkka '05 House Corporation Board President (402) 981-3184 | konkka@huskers.unl.edu P.S. Did you know that, through Lyre Links at alphachiomega.org, you can find a member by typing "find a member" in the search bar? For questions or support, please reach out to our alumnae president, Nichole Lipsys Palmer '94, at axonichole@gmail.com. The Sorority Experience Is More Relevant to Today's College Students than Ever Before R ecent research on fraternities and sororities demonstrates how positive the impact of the Greek experience—and the AXO experience—is for undergraduates today. Both inside and outside the classroom, we are providing tangible value at the most important time of growth in their lives. Research Proves Membership improves the learning gains students make in the classroom, and members are more academically engaged than their peers. Members are more involved in campus activities than other students, and Greek organizations promote both personal development during and satisfaction in their college experience. Fraternities and sororities seek to enhance inclusivity, and our members actually report higher levels of interaction with people different from themselves compared to unaffiliated students. These benefits are even greater for first-year students as they join fraternities and sororities and find community and belonging. This leads to stronger retention and higher graduation rates among Greek students than their peers. As many college students experience stress, loneliness and depression, fraternities and sororities offer critical connection and a sense of community, and members report higher levels of positive mental health than their unaffiliated peers because of it. The Everlasting Sisterhood The Everlasting Sisterhood Reach Out to a Sister Today!

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