MTSU alumna Leslie Merritt explains goals as new FSL director

MTSU alumna Leslie Merritt has returned to campus to share her passion for leadership and the community in her new position as the director of Fraternity & Sorority Life.

Merritt, a 2007 political science graduate, began her journey in administration during her graduate years as a staff member of Center for Student Involvement and Leadership under the leadership of Jackie Victory, who Merritt credits as a mentor. It’s here, Merritt says, she “developed a passion for this realm of work.”

During her time at MTSU, Merritt joined Kappa Delta sorority where she found her “home away from home” and learned valuable leadership skills. After graduating with a masters degree in higher education administration, Merritt served six years at Kappa Delta headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, as director of chapter services where she oversaw Kappa Delta’s risk management policy, chapter programming and extension.

“The first month has been a whirlwind,” Merritt said. “It was such an honor to even be chosen for this position.”

During her first month in office, Merritt has spent her time providing Greek officers with hands-on training and evaluating the current state of Fraternity & Sorority Life to determine ways to make it more efficient. Merritt will also be responsible for advising the Interfraternity Council and The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) by overseeing risk management procedures and planning the budget.

Merritt explained she has three main goals she hopes to accomplish in her new position: expand Greek life, rebuild NPHC and retain Greek members.

“I truly believe in the fraternity and sorority experience,” Merritt said. “I think it’s beneficial, I think it’s relevant [and] I think it makes students better students and better alumni. I want to bring more students into the fold.”

She says this will potentially encourage a sense of school pride in students and make them more inclined to become active alumni members.

With Greek life taking up six percent of the student body, Merritt says wants to encourage more students to go Greek. In an attempt to do this, Merritt is in the process of establishing relationships with different departments across campus.

Merritt says a new fraternity is scheduled to begin on campus almost every semester, starting with Alpha Sigma Phi, and she has hopes of bringing another Panhellenic sorority to campus in one to two years.

“We are excited to see who they are bringing into our community,” she added. “The greatest thing I did in my college career was just to get involved. There [are] so many different clubs out there.”

For more information about the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life, click here.