Alpha Kappa Alpha’s spring semester plans

BY MICHAELA DENNIS / Executive Producer

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Upsilon Omicron chapter was chartered at Tarleton State University Oct. 29, 2023. The organization inducted 15 women as their chartering intake class.

Alpha Kappa Alpha is a Greek letter organization, primarily known for being the first historically African American sorority established for college educated women. Their mission is to serve the community, promote high scholastic achievement, and promote friendship amongst college women.

This marks a historical moment for Tarleton as the sorority adds an additional organization from

the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). They will be the third organization to charter following Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Sigma Omicron chapter and Phi Beta Sigma

Fraternity, Incorporated Gamma Kappa Gamma chapter. Due to a low representation of the NPHC on campus, all the organizations above fall under the Inter Greek Council at Tarleton.

Although the organization is new on campus the women have been participating in a continuous stream of events including donating to Meals on Wheels, donating to Women’s Choice Research Center, and being personally invited to the Stephenville's Council Meeting to be formally recognized by the city as a new member of the community.

DeOveon Vasquez is a Senior at Tarleton State University and a member of the newly chartered chapter. Vasquez is excited about approaching the spring semester and thrusting herself into a variety of events with her chapter.

Although the chapter has not fully committed yet to their spring semester schedule they hope to

be involved in the community. Through their events, the sorority hopes to cultivate a positive image of their sorority. As they set the standard of what an Alpha woman is, it is important to the women of their sorority that they maintain a certain image.

“We want to be more involved on campus so people learn about us, know we are a service to all

of mankind, and sisterly to each other and others,” Vasquez said.

Nikkita Russell is the graduate advisor for their chapter. She holds membership within the organization, a special perk of being a member of a NPHC organization. She oversees the undergraduate members while also holding membership in her own chapter.

Russell is excited about the possibilities of growth for her newly established undergraduate chapter. The chapter explained they have been working on chartering at Tarleton for an estimate of 30 years.

She looks forward to future partnerships with the city of Stephenville and faculty members at Tarleton to help their chapter promote fun and informative events. Russell’s excitement stems from the encouragement she received from the university during the transition of chartering.

“The greek life office, President Dr. Hurley, and Dr. Benn was an abundance of help and support,” Russell said.

Tamiera Rodgers is an executive member of the Black Student Union. She is optimistic for future partnerships with the sorority.

“I’ve gotten to know some of these women and know that they are hard working women,” Rodgers said.

To find more information about the organization Stephenville residents can locate the chapter through TexanSync.com or through Instagram, Tarleton_Akas.

Disclaimer: Michaela Dennis is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated Sigma

Omicron chapter.