Entering college is an opportunity to explore new avenues and venture outside of typical friend groups. It also is a time to expand upon current interests or delve deeper into them. A unique and exciting way to socialize early on in college years is through Greek life. Not only can someone find lifetime friends by joining a fraternity or sorority, it is also an excellent way to get involved on campus.
For those considering joining the Greek community, meet Assistant Director of Fraternity & Sorority life Malcolm McDaniel.
McDaniel can be found on the 10th floor of the Howe Center, enjoying his beautiful view of the city, indulging in some Insomnia Cookies, or just handling his day-to-day work affairs. He is an easily approachable guy, to say the least.
McDaniel started at Stevens just six months ago after leaving his position as an assistant director of Greek life at Lehigh University. He has been chasing goal after goal, from receiving his undergraduate degree from LIU Post, to earning his masters at Hofstra University, to finally finding a job he thoroughly enjoys, here at Stevens.
Don’t be afraid to wander into his office if you have just the slightest interest in Greek life. Forewarning however, his persuasive and friendly personality will most likely draw you into Greek life even if you had not planned on it. (Expand your horizons, you will never know until you try!)
McDaniel realized this job was for him the moment he realized it existed. In college, he spent much of his time in clubs and student organizations and less time finding any interest in his actual classes and his major. In a conversation with his counselor, he discovered he could have a job that entailed working with students but not necessarily in the classroom. He wanted to teach through a focus on advocating for Greek life and benefiting the community. His job entails working on the leadership community in the fraternities and sororities and figuring out the benefits of organizations.
McDaniel is extremely passionate about his work and enjoys the level of influence he can have at Stevens. “I hope to improve Greek life and leave it better than it was when I came,” McDaniel said.
According to McDaniel, before recent years, Greek life was not as widely popular at Stevens compared to some other universities. McDaniel said that at Stevens, the sororities and fraternities “lack a community.” But, he is set on building “genuine connections and relationship between each other and empowering the counsels [of the sororities/fraternities].”
In addition to advising students on Greek life, McDaniel includes influential advice for all the incoming freshmen at Stevens: “Be uncomfortable, it’s okay.” Want to make some more friends? McDaniel was quick to further expand on his encouragement to put yourself in an uncomfortable position: “Go sit by yourself at a table for eight people, people will end up coming eventually and you’ll have to talk to them.” He is even able to tie his advice to his own personal experience of entering college. “Stepping out of my comfort zone and joining a fraternity that was suited for me would not have happened if I did not put myself out there,” he explains.
“Be okay with the uncomfortable,” McDaniel concludes. “If you ever find yourself making a ‘what the hell’ face at an activity or opportunity, go do it; that right there is the best advice I can give for the incoming freshmen.”
Be First to Comment