By Jordan Beach
Katelynn Crossan and Shelby Hudalla learned how to view leadership through Zeta Tau Alpha’s nine key values at the Emerging Leadership Academy (ELA), a national leadership conference to educate and improve chapters around the country.
Crossan ’21 said the conference did not disappoint: she became one of the first people to see the new education building at the International Office of ZTA, met all the national officers, along with other influential women from around the country and expanded her knowledge of the organization.
“It was such a great opportunity to gain information and confidence for my new position, the offer was too good to refuse,” said Crossan. “I am so glad my chapter chose me to represent Lambda Pi.”
Crossan will act as Lambda Pi’s Historian this year on the Executive Council. She previously held the roles of Fraternity Education Chair, Membership Enrichment Chair and Music Chair. Since day one, ZTA provided Crossan with leadership opportunities, even giving the music education major the chance to teach.
“Being in Zeta, I have grown and ventured outside my comfort zone. Zeta has brought me connections outside of Reinhardt for the future. The main reason I joined Zeta was to make friends outside of my major, and I can surely say that I have met the most remarkable women in Lambda Pi, who I know I will have friendships with for a lifetime.”
Each program at ELA centered on ZTA’s nine key values: humility, being rather than seeming, leadership, lifelong learning, love, loyalty and commitment, responsibility, seeking understanding that they may gain true wisdom, and service and philanthropy.
Criminal justice major Hudalla ‘20 learned how to improve as a leader and a person, about the importance of friendships, personal growth and the impact college students can make on the people and world around them.
“I plan to bring back tools that will strengthen bonds between members of ZTA. Furthermore, I hope to implement the leadership techniques learned while attending ELA,” said Hudalla, who serves as ZTA’s Ritual Chair. “The goal of ZTA is to involve those on campus in every way possible, to give them a sense of belonging.”
With all the enlightening information, Crossan hopes to communicate ways to improve Reinhardt’s chapter as a whole to make Lambda Pi feel more like home to its members.
“Our girls will learn about their sisterhood and why they are so important to Zeta Tau Alpha. They will learn about the history of Zeta and what it means to wear our letters,” Crossan said.
Hudalla is extremely grateful for the lessons in leadership and relationships she gains from her sisterhood and believes the Panhellenic organization works to instill leadership qualities on a daily basis.
“Leadership isn’t a title, it’s a way of thinking. It’s motivating others to gather behind you because you’re going to take them somewhere. A good leader lives by example,” said Hudalla. “ZTA is made up of strong women who encourage each other in every way with the primary way being education. Through every homework assignment, study date, test and final exam there is an entire group of women offering their encouragement.”
