Philanthropy, leadership, and networking opportunities are keys to Greek Life at RIT
Greek Life at RIT has been thriving for generations, offering students places to meet others who share their interests, provide leadership opportunities, and a network of alumni who might be a pathway for a co-op or employment after graduation.
The 750 RIT undergraduate students who belong to one of the 28 fraternities or sororities on campus also perform thousands of hours of community service and raise thousands of dollars for charities each year.
Informational events are scheduled this month for prospective new members to learn more:
- Jan. 14, 4-6 p.m., Gordon Field House, Interfraternity Council, the programming and governing body of 10 RIT fraternities.
- Jan. 21, 5-10 p.m., Fireside Lounge, College Panhellenic Council, the governing body for the five panhellenic sororities at RIT.
- Jan 30, 6-8 p.m., Fireside Lounge, Multicultural Greek Council, the governing body of 13 culturally-based fraternities and sororities.
“We have our own brand of Greek Life here at RIT that is very focused on the service side of things and very different than the Animal House movie image of what some people think a fraternity is,” said Matt Diss, a third-year cybersecurity major from Plum, Pa. “We’re more wholesome. We’re very much a close-knit community where you can build up your network and make lifelong connections that will last long after you graduate.”
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Matthew Diss
Diss, vice president of RIT Sigma Chi fraternity and Greek Life representative in Student Government, said he didn’t have any intentions of joining a fraternity until he saw some of the events organized on campus. He joined during his freshman year after attending a recruitment meeting.
“The brotherhood and philanthropy is what attracted me,” he said. “That group of 30 or 50 guys or girls you know who are always there and you can always count on is great. I’ve gone on spring break every year with brothers from my fraternity.”
RIT’s oldest chapter, Phi Sigma Kappa, was founded in 1960. Six of the 28 fraternities or sororities have common housing behind Global Village. Each chapter has its own vetting process for how it accepts members. Some are co-run by students from other area colleges, such as the University of Rochester. Members pay dues and must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA.
Most have weekly meetings, fundraising or volunteering activities, and social events. Throughout the year, it’s not unusual to see members host carnival games, pole sits, or even take a sledgehammer to an old car to raise money for charity.
In some cases, their national chapter decides the local chapter’s philanthropy.
“We’ve donated around $200,000 in the past 10 years to the Huntsman Cancer Institute,” Diss said.
Nate Nesbitt
John Serafim arrived in Washington, D.C. last summer after a 67-day, 4,300-mile bike ride from Seattle for the Journey of Hope. He raised nearly $10,000 in pledges for the charity which helps individuals with disabilities. More than 30 RIT students in Pi Kappa Phi have participated in the summer fundraiser in the past 13 years.
For the past 13 years, members of RIT’s Pi Kappa Phi chapter, more than 30 in total, have ridden bicycles across the country each summer for the Journey of Hope, which helps individuals with disabilities. John Serafim, a fourth-year mechanical engineering major from Radnor, Pa., was one of three RIT students from the fraternity who participated last summer. He rode 4,300 miles from Seattle to Washington, D.C., in 67 days, raising nearly $10,000 for the charity.
“It was incredible. There isn’t a more fulfilling experience that I could possibly think of,” Serafim said. “Doing something super physically challenging every day and having friendship visits along the way with people with disabilities was so emotionally rewarding. Every day I was living with a sense of purpose.”
Serafim knew he wanted to join a college fraternity, and said that doing so “has definitely been one of the best decisions I have made at RIT. I can’t speak highly enough of Greek Life at RIT. It enabled me to have this incredible adventure over the summer and made me part of a smaller community at such a big school. I can walk across campus and see people I know.”
Phi Delta Theta members raise money for Live Like Lou Foundation, supporting ALS families and research, by lining up quarters on the Quarter Mile. And each autumn, the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and Phi Kappa Psi fraternity raise around $10,000 for the Hillside Family of Agencies at their popular Mud Tug.
Some organizations focus on members who support specific cultures, such as Latino America Unida, Lambda Alpha Upsilon Fraternity, which is a Latino-oriented, but not exclusive, fraternity.
“Something that makes us special is our emphasis on academics and leadership,” said Joseph Bean, a third-year computational mathematics major from Houston, Texas. “One of the goals we live by is to support each other personally and academically, and we always try to help each other the best we can in our weekly study hours. Our emphasis on leadership can be showcased around this campus by seeing Hermanos (brothers) taking on key roles, such as being presidents of the Multicultural Greek Council, Latin American Student Association, Alma De Mexico, and a student event manager for RIT’s College Activity Board.”
Diss said it’s not unusual for fraternity or sorority members to become leaders in other organizations. “Most people in Greek Life are involved in different aspects of campus, whether it be from new student orientation, to being a tour guide, to Student Government, to working an on-campus job, or being a leader in another club on campus,” he said. For example, Alex Shuron, the president of Sigma Chi, is also this year’s Student Government president. This year’s Student Government vice president is Sophia Pries, also the vice president of communications for her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha.
Another benefit of joining a fraternity or sorority is the ability to network with alumni from RIT or their nationwide chapters. Serafim, for example, attributed getting his co-op in Boston from an RIT alumnus who was also a fraternity brother.
Melanie Ng
Each autumn, RIT’s Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and Phi Kappa Psi fraternity organize the popular Mug Tug. Hundreds of students participate, get dirty, and raise around $10,000 for the Hillside Family of Agencies.
“You not only have your chapter alumni network, but you have your greater alumni network across the globe,” Diss said. “I’ve reached out to people about job opportunities in their company just through LinkedIn because I’ve noticed they were Sigma Chi. In our chapter, it’s very common for our alumni to say, ‘Hey, my company’s hiring. Send me your resume if you’re interested in a position.’”
A recent Gallup poll conducted on behalf of the National Panhellenic Conference and the North American Interfraternity Conference showed that students who graduated in Greek Life reported better college experiences and felt better qualified for life after college and general well-being.
More than half also found employment within two months after graduation, compared to 36 percent of non-affiliated alums nationally.
Juliana Foster, a second-year biotechnology and molecular biosciences major from Troy, N.Y., said she never thought she would be involved in Greek Life in college, yet joined the Alpha Xi Delta sorority this year because she saw the numerous activities her friends enjoyed.
“I heard a lot of great things about Greek Life, and kept seeing all these philanthropic things they were doing,” she said. “I’ve always been involved in community service and I really wanted to continue that in my college experience. Now, it’s one of my favorite things I’ve been involved in. I can’t imagine being without it.”
Foster’s sorority has held food drives to benefit the Center for Youth locally, which helps vulnerable children, and raised money with karaoke events for the Foster Club and Stand Up for Kids, a national charity that provides free programs for children and teens in foster care or experiencing homelessness. She’s also visited nursing homes to help residents play bingo and balloon volleyball.
Foster says the best part for her “are the connections that I made with the girls in the sorority. They are some of my closest friends. No matter what I want to do, if I reach out to do something, someone’s willing.”
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- Meet Rafael Gilboa, this year’s Student Government presidentRafael Gilboa, a fourth -year software engineering major from Pittsburgh, chose to attend RIT because of its strong reputation for co-ops, generous financial aid, and a renowned computing program. But he also discovered an abundance of opportunities with clubs and activities available outside of the classroom. As this year’s Student Government president, he wants to support the more than 300 student clubs and organizations on campus to make sure other students can find friends and community like he has. He’s played intramural badminton, pickleball, volleyball, and joined the sailing team. “One semester, I was on seven intramural teams,” he said. “I even learned how to play hockey here, something I didn’t expect to graduate with from a software engineering program.” Enabling more communication to students about opportunities is just one goal Gilboa and this year’s vice-president, Ana Paolini Carrano, a third-year biochemistry major from Miami, Fla., have in mind for this coming year. Other goals of their platform include increasing student input in academic planning and course management; expanding access to co-op and career opportunities for students in all fields; helping plan more fun events for students on campus; and continuing, completing, and communicating current programs in Student Government. “We know that change is hard to make, and that most students don’t have the time in their busy schedules to dedicate to this type of advocacy,” Gilboa said “That’s what we’re here for, and just because we know something is a long shot or may not be completed by the end of our term, doesn’t mean we aren’t going to try.” They’re already working to get messaging to students where they are rather than having students dig for information; developing an electronic ID “tap” program for making philanthropic fundraising easier; establishing a spring club fair; and extending the add/drop period. And even before they met for their first session, they’ve overseen the installation of free menstrual product dispensers in Campus Center and scheduled the setup of multiple outdoor trash cans for students to use. “We are going to do everything we can to make RIT a better place,” Gilboa and Paolini Carrano said during their campaign, “and that doesn’t just include our own new ideas, but making sure the work of past administrations is followed through.” Gilboa said he tried not to promise specifics when they ran “because we knew that we still had a lot to learn. We ran on our values and a commitment to trying our best and feel really appreciative that the message hit with the RIT student body.” Gilboa decided to run for president to help give back “to a school which has made such a large impact on me and where I’ve been able to find a lot of friends.” He’s grateful for his experience at RIT. He’s kept busy working as a bartender for RIT Catering, being a member of the RIT Launch Initiative performance team, holding leadership roles in the Student Alumni Alliance (now University Alumni Alliance), and Greek Life. He also enjoys competing in in the Quiz Bowl club and spending time in the gym. “RIT is a great school to go to,” he said. “There are a ton of available services and support out there, with a lot of people who are looking out for you. That doesn’t mean it can’t be better. If you have the space and time, get involved. And if you don’t, we’re here to help.”
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- Alumni mentorship leads to new opportunitiesHaving the right networking connections can make or break a career in the film industry. Thankfully for Marica Joseph, there are plenty of RIT alumni who she can learn from. “It’s nice to have a connection while you’re still growing and learning as a student,” said Joseph, a sixth-year film and animation – production option and English double major from Mount Vernon, N.Y. “Connecting with people actively working in the industry feels like a step forward that is so valuable. When you get that opportunity, you have to latch on and make the most of it.” Last fall, Joseph introduced herself to Chris Wairegi ’14 (cinematography and photography). Wairegi is a cinematographer based in Brooklyn and founder of a nonprofit organization called 600 Black Women; a collective of motion picture filmmakers, still photographers, and publicists who are Black women, femmes, and gender-expansive people in the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 600 guild. Joseph read an article about Wairegi in RIT’s University Magazine and wanted to ask how she could get involved with 600 Black Women as a student. “Seeing that she was uplifting black women, making a community for people to feel safe, and creating a resource that past generations didn't have was inspirational,” Joseph said. After connecting via email and Zoom meetings, Wairegi invited Marica to participate in an upcoming Camera Cookout, one of 600 Black Women’s signature events. Hosted every Juneteenth weekend, attendees enjoy a weekend of hands-on educational workshops and networking.Claire Orpeza During a workshop at AbelCine, Joseph, right, learned from experts from the Society of Camera Operators. While the event was created for members of 600 Black Women, the event is open to mentees working in the film industry. This year, Wairegi said half of the attendees were members and half were mentees like Joseph. Mentorship is incredibly important to Wairegi. Helping others form industry connections was one of the driving motivations behind establishing 600 Black Women. In addition to students like Joseph in the United States, Wairegi said the organization has mentees across the globe in countries like Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, England, and Canada. “For me, it feels like an opportunity to give back and, hopefully, mold the industry into a place that is more welcoming to more kinds of people. It gives me a chance to feel like I’m doing something to make a space I love even better,” said Wairegi. When Joseph reached out, Wairegi was elated to hear from a fellow RIT Tiger. Inviting a current film production student to the Camera Cookout was a full circle moment for her. “My impetus for making the group was to help people who were in the same place I was when first starting out—when I felt like I didn’t have someone to ask questions or help guide me,” she said. “You do your best to prepare for the reality of the industry as a student, but if you have the opportunity to ask people working in roles you aspire to, it can save you some headaches and heartaches.” In addition to making more industry connections, Joseph said a highlight of participating in the Camera Cookout was the hands-on Steadicam workshop at Panavision. Another stand-out moment was visiting The Garage, a production company owned by Steve Giralt ’07 (professional photographic illustration – advertising photography option). The knowledge and connections Joseph made through 600 Black Women has provided a guiding compass as she considers her own career path and increased her confidence to connect with more industry professionals. This fall, she’ll practice what she’s learned in Los Angeles through the RIT in LA study away program, where she will live and work in the city for a full semester. “Trying to break into the field isn’t going to be easy. Especially as a Black woman, there are many battles that continue to increase regardless of how much we try to push. Seeing others who have made it through shows me that it is possible to get past those obstacles,” she said. “If I keep pushing forward, that opens room for more people like me to succeed.” Go to the 600 Black Women website for more information and to learn how to get involved. For more information about RIT’s film and animation programs, go to the School of Film and Animation website.
- Traveling Tigers connects Saunders students with career opportunitiesA program at Saunders College of Business is helping students gain real-world immersion into the careers they study. The Traveling Tigers program bridges gaps for students between classroom learning and career launching. Saunders students have been visiting a wide array of local and regional organizations to learn about varied business careers across disciplines. In 2024, building upon this program, Archana Jain, department chair for finance and accounting, began organizing Traveling Tigers visits focused specifically on those interested in opportunities in finance and accounting, as part of a broader push to increase industry exposure.Provided Archana Jain, front and center, poses with a group of students and staff on a visit to KPMG during a Traveling Tigers event in 2024. Each semester, Jain works through Saunders’ advisory boards and corporate partners to arrange a three-to-four-company tour over the course of a day. Students spend about two hours at each site, meeting different staff and human resources leaders, hearing presentations on corporate culture and skill needs, and touring facilities. “They can get a basic view of the culture of these companies, what it really means to work in, say, an accounting or finance firm,” said Jain. “They get to compare and see the differences in culture and expectations. They also learn about the pathways available to interns or new hires, like rotation programs. In just one day, they get a clear sense of what it means to work in the field.” The response from industry has been strong. After one of the first visits, Jain shared a post on LinkedIn that drew positive feedback from two companies, both eager to host future tours. “The accounting world is facing a shortage of talent, so these visits give employers a chance to meet students and showcase their culture,” said Jain. “The companies go all out and roll out the red carpet for us. On one visit they even made special cookies to welcome the Tigers. It’s a good way for both sides to connect.” Over the last year, students have visited regional firms including Culov Wealth Management, M&T Bank, Delaware North, MMB+CO, Allied Financial Services, Freed Maxick, and PwC. The results have been positive, as some students have received internship or job opportunities afterwards. In one recent visit, a company hired five Saunders students as interns. Provided Transportation and visits to accounting and financial firms are made possible in part by donations through the Sentinel Society. Spencer Dennis, a third-year accounting and finance major and honors student from Webster, N.Y., had a similar result. “In my first year here, I fully intended on being a finance major, hopefully to be an investment banker or financial analyst for a bank,” Dennis said. “Upon visiting firms with Traveling Tigers, I realized I am made to be a CPA and to pursue a career that starts in public accounting.” Dennis set his sights on joining a Big Four firm in Rochester. During a visit to PwC, he received a hat as a souvenir and promised himself he wouldn’t wear it until he earned an internship there. That visit gave him a foot in the door at PwC’s Rochester branch, turning him into a familiar face at RIT recruiting events. Last fall, he interviewed with a managing partner he had first met on that visit, and soon after received a lucrative offer. Dennis indicated, that they typically bring on interns to hire them full time. “I have a spot saved for an associate position in January, which is super exciting,” he said. “Traveling Tigers helped make that possible; it allowed for a student like me who puts in 100% of effort into things to capitalize on that opportunity.” The program is made possible through the generosity of donors, including support from the Sentinel Society, whose gifts help fund the travel and logistics needed for these site visits. At Saunders, Sentinel Society support has also enabled students to attend national conferences and competitions, expanding their professional exposure beyond the classroom. “Programs like Traveling Tigers, along with opportunities to attend conferences and competitions, ensure that our students gain meaningful experiences outside of the classroom that can shape their careers and futures,” said Jacqueline Mozrall, dean of Saunders College of Business. “Fueled by alumni donations, Traveling Tigers has been expanded, with discipline-focused visits also happening in hospitality, supply chain, marketing, management information systems and analytics. We are deeply grateful to our donors for investing in our students and making these transformative opportunities possible.” The next Accounting Traveling Tigers event is scheduled for Oct. 21 and will include visits to Insero, Paychex, EY, and DeJoy & Co. Space is limited to 20-30 matriculated students at Saunders.
- Allan Mathew named RIT assistant vice president and dean of admissionsFollowing a national search, Rochester Institute of Technology has named Allan Mathew as its assistant vice president and dean of admissions. Mathew, a seasoned leader in undergraduate, graduate, and international admissions, joined the university’s Division of Enrollment Management on Aug. 1. At RIT, Mathew oversees undergraduate and graduate admissions and is responsible for leading efforts to recruit talented, distinctive, and globally minded student cohorts. His focus is on aligning recruitment strategies with RIT’s brand and mission, cultivating strong student connections, leveraging data and technology for decision-informed strategies, and fostering a team rooted in student engagement. “Allan stood out in our search for his strategic insight, technical fluency, and proven record in advancing enrollment goals,” said Kathleen B. Davis, vice president for Enrollment Management and associate provost. “He also brings a clear passion for student access, equity, and innovation—values that are central to our work at RIT.” Mathew brings more than a decade of admissions and enrollment leadership experience across a range of institutional settings. Most recently, he served as senior director of Graduate Admissions at Tufts University, where he led admissions for over 75 graduate programs. Prior to Tufts, Mathew was assistant dean for Graduate Student Enhancement at the University of Texas at Dallas. He also served in key leadership positions at Messiah University in Pennsylvania, contributing to both graduate and undergraduate enrollment strategy, student success initiatives, and admissions marketing. His experience includes recruitment, systems optimization, and building pathways for students from diverse backgrounds to thrive in higher education. “My goal is to lead a team focused on recruiting students who seek the kind of education that RIT so uniquely offers,” said Mathew. “It’s exciting to join a division, and a community, focused on the future of strategic enrollment management; from global partnerships, expanding our brand nationally, and redefining student pathways to higher education success I am confident my experience and leadership will be well suited to RIT’s mission and strategic priorities.”