Increasing the recruitment and retention of members with diverse identities in Delta Phi Epsilon international sorority

Abstract

This Educational Leadership Portfolio (ELP) examines the implementation of targeted interventions to increase the recruitment and retention of members with varying diverse identities within Delta Phi Epsilon International Sorority. ☐ Sorority membership benefits students through higher level academic performance and ultimately increased retention and graduation rates (Biddix, 2014). Exposure to people with diverse backgrounds and experiences can contribute to people developing greater creativity and problem-solving abilities; encourage the understanding of intersecting identities; and increase mental resilience (Graham, 2018). However, most greek letter organizations (GLOs), including National Panhellenic Council (NPC) groups, like Delta Phi Epsilon, have stayed culturally and racially homogeneous since their founding (Gillon et al., 2019). ☐ The purpose of this ELP was to assess the current experiences of members with diverse identities in Delta Phi Epsilon and implement three improvement strategies to combat the main barriers to membership that were revealed through the literature review. These improvement strategies included (1) the implementation of an organization-wide assessment strategy, (2) providing the Delta Phi Epsilon staff and volunteers consistent member experience data to update operations, resources, and address gaps in member services and (3) develop and implement a fully updated New Member Orientation curriculum. Finally, this ELP makes recommendations for future interventions and strategies that may be implemented for continuous improvement.