Finding New Belonging

By Jordan Lesando (Gamma Epsilon, Oklahoma State University) 

The journey of being an Alpha Chi Omega starts when you are in college, and the belonging found in each chapter is what often makes people stay – or at least it was for me! It’s the support system that feels like a home away from home and the feeling of being a part of something bigger than yourself. Through shared memories, late-night conversations and everyday moments with sisters, belonging becomes one of the most meaningful parts of the experience. 

When I became a consultant, that experience shifted in a different way. I was removed from the place where my Alpha Chi journey first began and the chapter that originally made this sisterhood feel like home. I was then introduced to a group of women who came from chapters all across the country, and while our campuses and experiences were different, we were instantly connected by the values we share as Alpha Chi Omegas. 

During our travels and as the year has progressed, I have begun to find that same sense of belonging I felt at the start of my Alpha Chi experience. It looks different now, but it shows up in the group chats filled with encouragement after a long day, sharing wins from visits and celebrating each other’s successes. It grows during the moments we lean on one another for advice, support or simply the comfort of knowing that there are people who understand the unique challenges and rewards of the role. 

Some of the most impactful moments come when we get the chance to visit a chapter together. Those experiences create opportunities to learn from one another, watching how another consultant leads a conversation, supports a chapter or navigates a challenge. 

So much of my growth as both a leader and a consultant has come from the women on this team. They have become my safe space during this role and the people I know I can turn to for anything. The women I have had the privilege of serving alongside this year will always hold a special place in my heart. What started as a team of consultants from different chapters quickly became something much more: a sisterhood built on shared experiences, growth and unwavering support. 

Belonging may first be discovered within your home chapter, but it continues to grow through every new experience and reminds us that sisterhood can be found in every part of our journey as Alpha Chi Omegas!