Name: Stephen Ross
Year: Senior (junior graduating this year)
Major: Environmental Science the ISEN certificate
Hometown: Tarpon Springs, FL (fun fact: it has the second largest Greek population per capita in the U.S.)
Chapter: Phi Kappa Psi
What made you want to become a leader in the Greek community?
I guess I felt I had something I could contribute to the community. This was the club I was interested in. At the end of the day, I felt I could not only contribute to my chapter, but after I realized that the role of president extended outwards, I became more of an advocate for the community as a whole. Presidents have a good rapport between each other, so we try to help each other out with similar problems, which is nice. I think it is important to have that community awareness.
What event put on by Phi Psi are
you most excited for this year? Snowbowl, by far. Snowbowl is something we started last year, and it is a football game
between Phi Psi and ZBT and the proceeds go to charity. ZBT’s president, Alex Diamond and I want make
it really big this year. It’s a way to
be inter-fraternal, but also be semi-competitive. We have a lot of fun with it, and we are
thinking of doing a Snowbowl gala before the game this year, which is a joint
date night. We really want to make it
bigger than last year, and it’s definitely my favorite event. 
What else are you involved in on campus?
I am involved with the Investment Management Group as the Vice President of Energy. We are basically a finance group with a mock portfolio. I also work for a start-up called AMPY, and I do some work for Sparkling Energy, a non-profit that one of my friends started. I have also been involved in Greek Build, which I did last year, as well as various other Greek activities that I can help out with. I definitely like to pick my commitments and put a lot of effort into those that cast a wide net.
Is there anything you want northwestern students to know about your chapter specifically?
I would want the people on campus to know that we are Northwestern students, too. We live in Greek houses, and we do Greek things, but at the end of the day, we are in your classes and do projects with you. We have a very high percentage of individuals in the Greek community here, but that’s only a percentage. This is just another extracurricular, but that doesn’t necessarily define us in a negative way.
What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
I have an active Club Penguin account. I was really into Roonscape and then the logical progression was into Club Penguin. You can do so many fun things and meet so many fun people.
Name: Wendy Cyffka
Major: History
Hometown: Calabasas, CA
Year: Senior
Chapter: Kappa Alpha Theta
What made you want to become a leader in the Greek community?
I realized how much of an impact I could have on the lives of people I really care about. I've been inspired by other Thetas in leadership roles within the Greek community, including past PHA President Monika Buska. Many of my closest friends are in this community, and I've seen leadership as an opportunity to be a positive influence on a significant experience in members' lives.
Do you have a favorite memory from your chapter?
I have so many amazing memories from Theta, but bid night this past year was really special. I love when we get to welcome the new members to our house for the first time and see them begin to make it their home. Bid night also marked my transition to president, so I felt like I had come full circle. Taking over from Adrienne, our previous president, showed me how much room there is to grow in Theta, Greek life, and the greater Northwestern community.
What do you like to do with your free time?
Free time is kind of an illusion -- but if I'm going to make time to do something for myself, it's going to be hiking, cooking, and spending time with friends.
Is there anything you want Northwestern students to know about your chapter?
Being a Theta has opened up so many opportunities for me -- and not just in leadership or personal development. Theta has enabled me to have a greater impact on the lives of other people, especially in our philanthropy work for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). We have a uniquely local relationship with CASA of Cook County, so we really get to see the significance of our philanthropy efforts. On a personal level, I've found the most genuine, thoughtful, fun and supportive friends in my chapter. I've definitely become a better version of myself because I chose Theta, and I'm grateful for that.
What event put on by your chapter are you most excited for this year?
I'm really excited for Theta Factor, our signature spring philanthropy event! It's a campus-wide talent competition, and it's open to all students, not just the Greek community. I love it because we get to see a range of performances from incredibly talented students -- everything from a cappella to freestyle rap -- plus we raise money for CASA!
What else are you involved in on campus and how do you balance that with the responsibilities you have in Greek life?
I'm the Chief Financial Officer for Northwestern Student Holdings, a portfolio of student-run businesses that includes Project Cookie, BoxCo. and RezEssentials. I'm also writing a senior thesis for history. I've found that if I'm excited about doing something, or I feel really invested in the success of a group, I'll find a way to make it happen.
