The Semester Ahead
As the summer comes to an end for semester students, Lambda Sigma is ready to embrace the start of a new year. My name is Glaiza Julian and I currently serve as the President of the Lambda Sigma chapter at California State University – Fullerton. This summer has been particularly eventful. In addition to helping the Executive Committee prepare for the programming and events this year, I have also been fortunate enough to intern at an amazing company, travel with friends and family, and serve as the ASI Vice Chair – Treasurer for the Board of Directors representing the Mihaylo College of Business and Economics.
This fall will be my fifth semester as a collegiate member of Delta Sigma Pi. I will also be serving my third position on the Executive Committee. Reaching the final stretch of my undergraduate career has made me reflect on the journey I started with this fraternity my freshman year and the lessons I’ve learned through the achievements – and yes -- even the adversity that comes with it. To say that I am excited and nervous for my term would be a trite understatement that I’m sure all my predecessors have felt going into their own. This summer I have been surrounded by passionate leaders, supportive friends, and loving family members that have inspired me to lead our members and position holders to triumph in their collegiate experience with Delta Sigma Pi. I’ve recently read Simon Sinek’s novel Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action, and many of the lessons and ideas shared in this book relate to my personal experience with this chapter. Sinek articulates the following message:
“We are drawn to leaders and organizations that are good at communicating what they believe. Their ability to make us feel like we belong, to make us feel special, safe and not alone is part of what gives them the ability to inspire us.”
As president, you assume the role of not only the inspirer but the strategist as well. This role sets the vision of the organization, commits to the mission statement, and assists the rest of the team in creating tactics that align with these big picture goals. The first step in assuming this position was finding a system of communication, accountability, and organization that could support the EC in accomplishing their individual goals. Most importantly, setting a chapter culture that empowers each member in every reach of their life whether it be professionally or personally.
With a large portion of our chapter recently graduated, I do feel pressure to “carry the torch” and even “continue the legacy” for those that have devoted their time and souls to this cause. Foreboding and unpredictable, doubtful thoughts that inadvertently rise from these pressures have challenged me to be resourceful, enterprising, and resilient as a leader. I would like this situation to going from an intern to an executive making decisions that will affect the company’s overall long-term performance.
Nonetheless, I am burning with ardor and determination to leading Lambda Sigma to achieve its maximum potential by hosting fulfilling events, earning exceptional operational distinctions from the Chapter Management Program, and maintaining the overall morale of our members to show for it. My goal this year is to achieve Chapter of Excellence and be recognized for our various events that embody the Fraternity’s pillars: professionalism, community service, and brotherhood. This can’t be done alone, but I have complete confidence and faith in the business acumen and overall leadership capabilities of our members and position holders to move us in that direction.
