Alumna of the Month: Jordan Younger

Our Alumna of the Month for August is Jordan Younger! Jordan just graduated from LMU this past spring and is currently attending The New School in Manhattan and pursuing her MFA in Creative Writing. While at LMU she held the position of Director of Fraternity Education (Pledge Mom) and Director of Health and Fitness.

When asked how has her experience in Alpha Phi influenced other aspects of her life Jordan tells us, "Experiencing recruitment four years in a row greatly prepared me to interact with just about anyone. It taught me to hold a conversation and find a point of connection with whoever I am talking to, and that has served me well in the professional world."

Jordan also tells us, "Alpha Phi was such a positive experience for me. The girls I met through Alpha Phi changed my life forever, and I will look back on all of our memories fondly. The girls two years below me will always be dear to my heart, as I was their pledge mom and I have loved watching them grow into beautiful, smart, amazing young women."

Jordan is also an avid blogger on her food blog, The Blonde Vegan. No doubt her experience as Director of Health and Fitness while in Alpha Phi laid the groundwork for this new venture :)

Alumna of the Month: Jenna Reynolds

This month we honor Jenna Reynolds as Alumna of the Month!

While in the chapter Jenna held the positions of Recording Secretary and President. She graduated in 2012. She tells us that "Alpha Phi has helped me immensely as a teacher because it helped prepare me for the organization and management that is required to be in charge of 26 first graders' education. I learned how to plan ahead, how to interact with all types of personalities and how to be a team player. If it weren't for Alpha Phi, I do not think I would be as immune to the pressures of deadlines or ready to deal with all varieties of personalities."

Jenna says, "I love Alpha Phi from the bottom of my heart-- the members of this sorority were there when I needed them the most and the experiences I had helped me shape the person I am today. I learned how to be a leader, a sister and a friend through Alpha Phi. I am forever grateful for all they have given me-- especially my best friend Elise."

Jenna works as a first grade teacher at Friendship Academy of the Arts in Minneapolis, MN. She teaches math, language arts, science and social studies. She also teaches dance for the whole school. Check out her amazing performance as Kelly Kapowski during Alpha Phi's Lip Sync 2011 :) 

We love seeing Alumna working in their community doing what the love! Congrats Jenna!

 Jenna and her class

Jenna at APHIASCO 2012

Alumna of the Month: Michele Nasreen Askari

This month we are featuring one of our chapter's first members as Alumni of the Month. Michele Nasreen Askari graduated from LMU in 1980 and was one of our first presidents. 

Tell us about a memorable experience while at LMU
I traveled with the LMU Men's Basketball Team as a color commentator on KXLU Radio- it was quite an experience! Women in sportscasting roles were still quite rare in that era.

Tell us about being one of the first Alpha Phi's at LMU
Sororities were still brand new, but fraternities on campus were very supportive in helping us get established. We relied on great advisors who came from USC and Long Beach State, and interacted with the chapters at USC and UCLA. My initiation took place at the USC Alpha Phi house. I worked at a restaurant in the Marina which is now the Cheesecake Factory. Several of the guys who worked at "Chuck's Steak House" were (cute!) UCLA frat boys, so I used them as resources for date nights and exchanges.

Did any of your experiences in Alpha Phi help you in professional life?
I am a Director of Strategic Accounts for the corporate office of Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, and yes, juggling classes, a part-time job, an internship and sorority life taught me how to time-manage and prioritize deadlines, which I apply daily in my life. Recruitment was training ground for my role today when I need to meet strangers and make immediate favorable impressions. In sales we all have what is referred to as our "elevator speech"- if you were to only have the length of an elevator ride to explain to someone what it is you do, sell, endorse, what are the KEY items you would include.

Any additional information you would like to share about Alpha Phi?
One does not realize when in school how wonderful it is to have Alpha Phi sisterhood for a lifetime of connections! I am affiliated with the Chicago Alumnae Chapter and have met a great network of women of all ages here in the city. It is also fun in the workplace to discover when someone you work with is a sister, as well as connecting with sisters via Facebook.

Michele was gracious enough to share these pictures with us. We love seeing Alpha Phis in the past! 

Michele with her brother's family

Alumna of the Month: Alana (Williams) Cooper

One of the most dedicated Alumnae to the Zeta Beta chapter over the past 10 years is Alana (Williams) Cooper. While Alana was a collegiate at LMU she held the positions of Director of Member Education and Vice President of Chapter Operations. Since her graduation in 2004 she has held the volunteer positions of on-campus advisor, chapter advisor, and operations advisor. In addition to volunteering with the Zeta Beta chapter directly she has also spent time volunteering with Alpha Phi regionally and nationally. She is a judge for the undergraduate scholarships through the Alpha Phi Foundation, a programming specialist for Team Sooner (Oklahoma) and a human resources coordinator for the Southwest Region.

"Alpha Phi has made me a more well rounded individual and has prepared me for many of life's challenges. I have learned patience and how to see things from various perspectives.  The 2 am emergency phone calls prepared me for having a newborn baby!" says Alana.

Alana currently works as a High School Counselor working with at-risk students helping them stay on track for graduation and encouraging them to go on to college.

"When I was initiated in 2001 at LMU I have never thought I would still be involved with this organization 10 years later," says Alana, "Now I can't imagine not being involved. Volunteering and meeting women from around the country has been a blessing and an incredible experience. I would really like to encourage anyone that has any interest to explore all the possibilities and take advantage of what Alpha Phi has to offer."

Thank you Alana for all that you do for Alpha Phi!

Alana and her beautiful family

Alumna of the Month: Adrianna Weingold

Adrianna Weingold is our Alumna of the Month for September!

Adrianna, class of 2005, is currently living in Palm Desert, California working as a reporter for NBC News. After graduating from LMU she continued onto grad school at USC and received her Master of Arts in Broadcast Journalism. Six short weeks after graduating she landed her first job as a Video Journalist at the NBC affiliate in Palm Springs, KMIR-TV. Not only does Adrianna report the news, but she also shoots the news, writes and edits the articles and much more. For the past 2 years Adrianna has been enjoying this exciting job; she explains that there is never a dull moment. “My favorite days I get called in early for breaking news, and the rest of the day is non-stop action. Whether on-scene at a fire, bomb threat, or reunion of marines with their service dogs, my days are rarely, if ever, boring.”

Alpha Phi plays a big role in Adrianna’s everyday life. Adrianna developed important skills from her sisters such as learning to stand up for herself and be a strong confident woman all while setting a good example by helping those around her. In Adrianna’s busy life she’s found it inspirational to remember this quote, “We often base perceptions on exceptions and not the rule.” This reminds Adrianna not to fall victim to living a life with the “fear of missing out.” Adrianna also leaves us with this idea: “Don’t compare your life to others, do what you think is right and stand behind your decisions.” At the end of the day, Adrianna has worked hard to achieve success. Whether it be her wise words of wisdom, her down to earth personality or silly character, she is a wonderful example for Alpha Phi’s everywhere.

-Michelle Beetham
Class of 2013
Director of Alumni Relations