University of Idaho senior Lisa Avila has gone by many titles during her time at the university. The agricultural science, communications and leadership major has served as president for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences ambassador team, a recruitment officer for the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and is now the Greek system”s newest Panhellenic president – a position she intends to perform with passion.
“I was very, very excited when they announced my name – it is a huge blessing for me,” Avila said. “I have been so happy with (the position) so far. I can”t believe it happened.”
Avila joined Kappa Alpha Theta when she first arrived at UI and she said her involvement in both the sorority and the Panhellenic Council has largely influenced her growth as a student.
“My freshman year, I went through recruitment not knowing anyone. It was a big growing stage for me,” Avila said. “I”ve been in Kappa Alpha Theta ever since and I love it.”
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Avila said some of her responsibilities as president include overseeing the Panhellenic council, working with staff members like the Dean of Students and the assistant Greek advisor to ensure good Greek life relations on campus and working with different chapters to strengthen communications between houses and the UI community as a whole.
Before becoming president, Avila said she also served as a Rho Gamma, someone who helps potential new members through the Greek recruitment process, and held the position of chief education officer for the Panhellenic Council.
It was through the Panhellenic Council that Avila first met Sierra Pontius, a UI junior and Alpha Phi member.
The two students served as Rho Gammas for the 2015 sorority recruitment season, and Pontius said during that time, she came to see Avila”s kind nature and penchant for humor.
“I learned so much from her. She is a great person to look up to,” Pontius said. “She is the best one of us at counseling women, she”s always there for the girls and knows exactly what to say when someone is having a problem.”
Pontius was thrilled when she heard Avila was running for the position of Panhellenic president, and she said she couldn”t think of anyone else better for the job.
“I knew she was going to be the best candidate for that position,” Pontius said. “I know she”ll do a phenomenal job because she loves Greek life and she knows exactly what her responsibilities entail.”
Avila said some of her responsibilities as president include overseeing the Panhellenic council, working with staff members like the Dean of Students and the assistant Greek advisor to ensure good Greek life relations on campus and working with different chapters to strengthen communications between houses and the UI community as a whole.
In addition to these responsibilities, Avila said her ultimate goals as Panhellenic president are to help others and improve the bonds between the Greek and UI communities.
“My goal as president is to make Panhellenic more known within the UI and Greek community,” Avila said. “I want to help bring everyone together.”
Corrin Bond can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @CorrBond