After former Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life Jesse Koch’s departure in June 2013, the Bradley greek community was left fraternizing on Fredonia without a figurehead.
However, Wednesday brought exciting news.
Nancy Schwartz, current graduate assistant for Fraternity & Sorority Life at George Mason University, will join Bradley’s greeks June 9.
“We brought four candidates to campus,” said Interim Vice President for Student Affairs Nathan Thomas. “Those four rose from a very competitive pool, not only on paper but through the phone interview process. Nancy emerged as our number one across the board from the start.”
As ADFSL, Schwartz will work with fraternities and sororities under National Pan-Hellenic, Panhellenic and Interfraternity councils. She will serve as an adviser and authority for Bradley’s greeks.
Thomas said Schwartz had everything the greek community was looking for and more.
“We think [Schwartz] will be able to work with all three greek communities effectively,” Thomas said. “She is very warm and very embracing, but she’s also dealt with some really critical things at George Mason that will be very beneficial.”
As a Kappa Kappa Gamma and director of recruitment at the University of North Texas (UNT), Schwartz has years of experience in greek life.
Senior and soon-to-be sorority consultant to Sigma Kappa Kira Rysiewicz said she is very excited about what Schwartz has to offer.
“She has a lot of experience,” Rysiewicz said. “When I met with her, she expressed a lot of great ideas that she hopes to bring to Bradley, like fixing up the greek life office. I think it’s definitely time for a fresh set of eyes to help our community become even better.”
At George Mason, Schwartz works with the multicultural greek council, Order of Omega and Greek Ambassadors, which were a strong factors in her selection, according to Thomas.
“She has hands-on experience with chapter advising and council advising,” Thomas said.
Schwartz received her undergraduate degree in English and creative writing from UNT and is currently finishing her Master’s degree in Higher Education at George Mason University.
Next semester, Schwartz (as ADFSL) will report to Director of Student Activities Tom Coy, which is a change from the previous system of the ADFSL reporting to executive director of Residential Living and Leadership.
Thomas said this is a positive change.
“[Coy] has been a part of greek life everywhere he’s been,” Thomas said. “This will be a great transition for everyone. With the [ADFSL] reporting to [Coy], it will definitely streamline more for greeks from Student Activities Budget Review Committee to scheduling to planning and organization.”
Senior and Order of Omega president Navid Kassam said Schwartz is the perfect fit for Bradley greek life.
“[Schwartz] is energetic, passionate, and will be a great addition to our greek community,” Kassam said. “I’m looking forward to seeing what changes she’ll bring to greek life at Bradley, both structural and cultural.”
Thomas said he is hoping this will not only strengthen the position but bring fresh ideas to the community.
