research – Greek University

Eddie Francis: Leadership Requires Intentional Development

By admin on February 9, 2026

Leadership requires intentional development! A passionate NPHC speaker, Eddie began his leadership journey as president of his Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity chapter at Loyola University New Orleans, where he was also vice president of the Interfraternity Council. Because of his leadership, Eddie earned the Spirit of Loyola Award for Racial Understanding. He even choreographed a step routine that won second place at the ever-popular Bayou Classic Battle of the Bands and Greek Show! Eddie later served as an alumni chapter president and campus chapter advisor. Professionally, Eddie is a consultant who led marketing and communications at Southern University at New Orleans, Paul Quinn College, Dillard University, and Talladega College. He is an adjunct instructor for Southern New Hampshire University who has also taught at Tulane University and Dallas College. Additionally, Eddie’s diverse professional background includes mass media and talent acquisition.

In episode 638 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out the biggest mistakes or struggles for Eddie that eventually shaped the D9 Leadership Blueprint, when he realized that leadership requires intentional development, why he chose to blend research, real-world leadership, and “D9 Old Head Wisdom”, how leaders move from survival mode to intentional leadership, what is a self-awareness exercise or mindset shift he would recommend, how Ubuntu show up practically in fraternity and sorority leadership, how understanding followership actually make someone a more effective leader, what is one concept from the D9 Leadership Blueprint that would create the biggest ripple effect, what role do alumni play in reinforcing intentional leadership instead of just critiquing from the sidelines, and how he helps young leaders understand legacy without overwhelming them. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWoGJdrLK9E

Fraternity/Sorority

Dr. Jenny Small and Dr. Pietro Sasso: What should universities be offering Jewish students?

By admin on November 17, 2023

Today we have with us Dr. Jenny Small, Virtual Scholar, and Dr. Pietro Sasso, Research Fellow from the Piazza Center to explore questions of identity and belonging in traditionally Jewish fraternities and sororities. In episode 408 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out why Jenny chose Brandeis University for her undergraduate experience, what it’s like for Pietro to work at Delaware State as a program coordinator for a Doctorate program, what should institutions be offering Jewish students, why Jewish educators seem to struggle with advocating for Jewish students, why many University Presidents have not been vocal on this issue to support their students, why some non-Jewish educators who hold other minoritized identities have high empathy for Jewish students’ experiences, advice to educators working with Jewish-heritage chapters, whether Jewish fraternities and sororities should be exclusively honoring their history with only Jewish members versus growth on today’s diverse college campuses, resources about traditionally Jewish fraternities and sororities as well as identity and belonging, and what professionals will learn at their upcoming session at the Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors Annual Meeting in Tampa.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bIickulVZU

Fraternity/Sorority

Dr. Veldkamp & Dr. Sasso: What makes the Piazza Center different in shifting student behavior?

By admin on April 30, 2021

Dr. Steve Veldkamp is the Director of the Timothy J. Piazza Center for Fraternity and Sorority Research and Reform. In his role, Steve organizes fundraising priorities and supports unit fundraising initiatives. Additionally, as the Executive Director of the Piazza Center, he sets a national research agenda and works with research faculty in designing, conducting, sourcing, and resourcing exploratory research to benefit more than 770 campuses that host fraternities and sororities nationwide.

Dr. Pietro Sasso serves as the faculty research fellow for the center in which he supports the dissemination of interdisciplinary research projects as scholarly peer-reviewed journals and presentations at national conferences.

In episode #148 of the Fraternity Foodie Podcast, we find out the reasoning for bringing the Center to Penn State and building on the legacy that started at IU Bloomington, what makes the Piazza Center different about their approach to shifting student behavior, how research on diversity, equity and inclusion within NPC-affiliated sorority chapters will help drive change, how staffing size and structure impact the chapter experience, the tasks that Dr. Sasso (the inaugural research fellow) will be responsible for, thoughts on alcohol abuse and hazing behaviors in the fall of 2021 as we move to in-person events, why Gen Z joins a fraternity/sorority (which is different than prior generations), and future projects or collaborations that the Piazza Center is considering. Enjoy!

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoGYq93PZfY

Fraternity/Sorority

Alpha Phi Omega Shaves Heads To Raise Money For Childhood Cancer Research

By admin on October 28, 2015

Congratulations to Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity at Oklahoma University for their philanthropy to benefit St. Baldrick’s on November 4th. Every family is affected by cancer in some way, and my own family is certainly no exception. The money that Alpha Phi Omega raises will go towards childhood cancer research, and the hair that is collected on campus will go towards wigs for people affected by cancer.

The photos and hashtags #baldisbeautiful is another great addition to this event that is sure to draw lots of awareness on campus. Buttons that members will be wearing that displays “every 3 minutes” to signify how often a child is diagnosed with cancer in the United States is another powerful message. It’s just another way to show the values of Alpha Phi Omega to the entire campus community, and attract others that believe in working together towards a common cause. Will this event have deep meaning for the members of Alpha Phi Omega and bring them closer as an organization? Absolutely. Is it the right type of message to send to the students at Oklahoma University about what Greek letter organizations are all about? Absolutely. We can make a difference!

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