Fierce competition, a grueling application process and high levels of commitment could not stop one Sigma Kappa – Beta Nu member from achieving success.
Sigma Kappa’s National Council recently selected senior journalism and Spanish major Kira Rysiewicz as one of 12 leadership consultants (LC) for Sigma Kappa Sorority Headquarters.
Sigma Kappa LCs help individual chapters nationwide improve their operations. They may act as traveling, residential or colony consultants.
Traveling consultants cover chapters across the nation, while residential consultants live at a chapter started within the last three years. Colony consultants work to start new chapters at a university.
Rysiewicz said she will learn which kind of LC she will be during her training this summer.
According to Rysiewicz, her experience at a Sigma Kappa national convention in 2012 encouraged her to apply to be an LC.
“I was just so awed and inspired by the leadership and poise of the LCs I had met and the ability they had to bring new ideas to help them be better sorority women,” Rysiewicz said. “I wanted to take all of the wonderful experiences I’ve had these past four years as a member of Sigma Kappa and bring that to others.”
To be selected as an LC, Rysiewicz took part in the application process that began last semester.
The three-day interview process included a presentation, panel interviews, group interviews, one-on-one interviews with the executive director and a formal dinner.
Overall, Rysiewicz said her experiences with Bradley’s Sigma Kappa chapter prepared her to be an LC. She served as historian and chapter president and was honored with the Outstanding Member of the Year award after her presidency.
“It was exhausting, but the interview process was a great way to get to know the other women who would be my future coworkers,” Rysiewicz said.
The national council chose nine women to join the returning three LCs.
Rysiewicz said she was ecstatic about the selection of Sigma Kappa’s LCs.
“I pretty much freaked out,” Rysiewicz said. “I was so excited and thrilled to be chosen, and I’m so happy with the team they selected.”
Rysiewicz will begin training in Indianapolis in June. She will also attend her second national convention in Las Vegas this summer.
Rysiewicz is an intern in the admissions office and a Student Admissions Representative (STAR). She is involved with Bradley Fellows and Leaders Instilling Knowledge through Cooperative Service (LINCS). Additionally, Rysiewicz is a member of Rho Lambda and Phi Sigma Iota foreign language society.
Earlier this semester, senior psychology major and Kappa Delta member Brianna Blackshire was selected as a Leadership Development Consultant for her respective sorority. The selection of these two women for national sorority positions in one year is a first for the Bradley Panhellenic (PHC) community.
PHC President Liz Steinhaus said she was happy to hear about the success of Bradley’s sorority members.
“I hope it impacts women who may be thinking about becoming consultants,” Steinhaus said. “It will definitely make our community stronger, not only within [PHC] but hopefully to each of our (Inter)National Headquarters as well. Bradley’s [PHC] community can generate leaders.”
