Oglethorpe University fraternity and sorority student leaders spent part of their summer representing the university at their national organization conferences, returning to campus with new ideas, expanded networks and a broader perspective on leadership, service and community. 

Though their organizations differ in history and structure, each of the students said the experience reinforced how local chapters are part of much larger national and international communities. 

Carmen Arcay Agreda ’28 attended the 2026 Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. National Convention in Detroit alongside fellow chapter members Alejandra Jimenez ’26 and Laney Castillo ’28.  For Arcay Agreda, who will serve as president of Oglethorpe’s Lambda Theta Alpha chapter during the upcoming academic year and as a resident assistant, the summer convention highlighted the scale of the national sisterhood. Members participated in workshops, networking opportunities and sessions exploring the organization’s history and future. 

“The sisterhood is really bigger than you think it is,” Arcay Agreda said. “For a lot of people, they think the sisterhood ends at their chapter. Going to convention, you can really see the impact that we have.” 

Baleigh Readus ’28 attended the 72nd Biennial Boulé of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in Las Vegas with chapter members Peyton Morgan ’26, Charity Cloud ’26, Amirah Ali ’28 and Chasity Cloud ’28. Readus came away with a similar feeling after attending AKA’s Boulé, which brought together 26,000 members from different generations, places and backgrounds. 

“Knowing that our chapter was only one cog in the huge machine that is AKA made us feel a sense of pride in just how many women are like-minded in the sorority’s principles and goals,” Readus said. 

For Readus, the convention also offered a firsthand look at how a major international organization conducts its business. She said participating in that process helped prepare her for future collaboration, workplace settings and leadership roles beyond campus. 

“I was able to connect with sorority sisters from across multiple generations,” Readus said, “but I was also able to participate in our sorority’s international business.” 

The trips themselves became part of the experience. Arcay Agreda and Jimenez made the 12-hour drive to Detroit with members of Georgia State University’s chapter, while Castillo traveled from Florida to attend. Once there, the Oglethorpe students spent the weekend meeting sisters from campuses across the country and learning how different chapters approach leadership, service and campus life. 

“We’re already in different areas and different regions,” Arcay Agreda said. “So it’s always fun to get to learn from other chapters’ traditions.” 

Kevin Jarquin ’27, president of Oglethorpe’s Rho Delta Chapter of Chi Phi Fraternity, represented his chapter at the fraternity’s 160th Congress in Cincinnati.  Congress serves as the fraternity’s highest governing body, bringing together delegates from across the country to discuss policy, recognize achievements and elect national leadership. 

As chapter president, Jarquin represented Oglethorpe’s Rho Delta Chapter while connecting with undergraduate members, alumni volunteers and fraternity leaders from throughout the United States. 

“It was eye-opening to realize that, although every chapter has its own traditions and challenges, we all share many of the same experiences and, most importantly, the same sense of brotherhood,” Jarquin said. 

One of the most memorable moments came during discussions about Chi Phi’s future following the fraternity’s recent bicentennial celebration. 

“The speaker emphasized that our generation has the responsibility to continue growing and strengthening the fraternity for years to come,” Jarquin said. “That was an inspiring message to hear.” 

For each student, some of the most valuable lessons came outside of formal programming. Arcay Agreda said workshops on civic engagement and personal resilience stood out, while presentations from Lambda Theta Alpha’s founding members were especially meaningful. Readus described the week as nonstop and action-packed, with early mornings, late nights and the challenge of learning how a large convention operates as an undergraduate. 

Still, she said she would not change the experience. 

“I hope to bring back both my fond memories of being in Las Vegas with my sisters and the experience of navigating a large business convention with women just like us,” Readus said. “I also hope to take the knowledge and skills I learned into any corporation, organization or team I join in the future.” 

Jarquin also highlighted the re-election of Rho Delta chapter advisor Chris Fernandez ’16 to the Chi Phi Board of Governors as an example of the lifelong commitment members make to their organizations after graduation. 

As these student leaders prepare for another academic year at Oglethorpe, they return with stronger national networks, fresh ideas and a renewed commitment to serving their chapters and campus community.