As of this spring, the campus interest group, Chicas, has been accepted as a colony of Sigma Lambda Gamma, one of the fastest growing Latina sororities in the United States.
As a colony, the women are one step closer to becoming an official chapter, but the year-long waiting period required before applying for chapter status stands in their way.
Previously, Chicas applied to become a colony but were rejected because the National Sigma Lambda Gamma sorority could not find them the proper Sigma Lambda Gamma alumnae to be advisors before the deadline. According to Chicas president Daniela Miranda, the group found two women from the Peoria area: Marneka Hayes and Bradley alumna Sandy Arreguin (’05).
“What’s really cool is that Sigma Lambda Gamma was previously at Bradley 12 years ago,” Miranda, a junior actuarial science major, said. “It just kind of died out because there was no one to continue the process. Marneka was actually one of the last couple of members.”
Miranda said college life is easier when they have lots of things in common with other women.
“I just feel like it’s nice to have a group of girls that share your same interests and speaks the same language and [enjoy] the same ethnic foods,” Miranda said. “It’s just really comfortable to be around them. I think if we can provide that for incoming freshmen in the future, that would really help them out.”
Miranda thanked the administrators who helped, saying it was great to have support from various administrators such as Executive Director of Diversity and Inclusion Norris Chase, Assistant Director for Fraternity and Sorority Life Nancy Schwartz and Vice President for Student Affairs Nathan Thomas.
According to Miranda, Sigma Lambda Gamma’s primary initiative is to uplift women, and the Bradley colony intends to host events with that in mind, such as their upcoming Women’s Empowerment Week.
Miranda said although they focus on women from less represented backgrounds, they accept women of all backgrounds. Women interested in applying have to be full-time students with a 2.6 GPA or greater.
