NEIU: 3rd Times a Charm

Last week I had the great opportunity to work with the Greek Community at Northeastern Illinois University. This is my third time working on that campus, and while each time it was different programming, I have really gotten to know the groups better and better each time. It also has been fun seeing the community grow and change.

If you were not aware, NEIU is a Hispanic Serving Institution, there are not many in the midwest and it is probably the most comprehensive college on the list in Illinois. They have a growing student life program, Greek Life and will soon be adding residential life to their campus. That was part of the conversation that I had with the students on campus… that soon Greek Life could be in high demand and are they reading for a recruitment standby to engage the students?

When I worked at IUSB no one could have predicted how much a new residential life program would impact the campus culture. If from a Student Life perspective we were not ready to offer the engagement that student population was looking for we could have created a culture of disengaged students we would fight for years and year. So it is best to start it right, and that is part of the conversation we had with the NEIU Greeks in terms of being ready with their marketing and knowing how to create more visibility for their organizations.

It was a fun program, this time I did some strategic planning and intake/recruitment training. Last time I did leadership and communication training for the groups. Since then the campus has added more groups, lost a couple, and many of the group sizes have not been consistent. We talked about what they are saying, what are they looking for, and where they want to be in the future. Memberships growth and development in Greek orgs is the most important factor in reaching future goals.

I am looking forward to being back on campus soon! The students already had ideas on other training they want me to come and do… can’t wait!