Gordon State College Expands Greek Life in the New Year

By Karolina Philmon, GSC marketing manager 

Gordon State College will expand its Greek Life offerings in spring 2025 with the addition of Theta Phi Alpha, a national women’s social sorority with 52 collegiate chapters across the country.

Following a thorough review of applications from member organizations of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), the sorority extension committee selected Theta Phi Alpha to establish an emerging chapter at Highlander Nation.

“Joining a campus community is always an exciting opportunity. We look forward to partnering with Gordon State College to bring the Theta Phi Alpha experience to the campus,” said Kristin Henkenius, national president of Theta Phi Alpha. “This new campus organization will offer opportunities in leadership development, wellness programming, philanthropy, networking, and social offerings.”

According to its official website, Theta Phi Alpha, founded in 1912, is a women’s organization dedicated to fostering close camaraderie while promoting educational, social, and philanthropic interests. The organization also emphasizes spiritual growth and upholding the highest moral standards.

In November 2024, GSC made history by welcoming its first Greek Life organization, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. The fraternity’s probate show marked the induction of charter members into the Alpha Line’s Phi Tau Chapter. The first inductees were Mahki Stephens, a Clayton County resident who graduated in fall of 2024 and Kendall Scott-White, a management and administration major from Monroe County.

“Being initiated into Alpha Phi Alpha is an honor and truly one of the most meaningful moments of my life. Joining this historic brotherhood, especially as one of the first initiates at Gordon State College, means so much to me,” Stephens said. “It’s more than just being part of an organization—it’s about carrying on a legacy of leadership, service, and excellence. Knowing this is GSC’s first Greek Life organization makes it even more special because we’re creating something that will inspire and impact future generations on this campus.”

The GSC campus community, along with members of the Rho Sigma Lambda chapter and college brothers from Fort Valley State University, Mercer University, Middle Georgia State University, and Morris Brown College, gathered to witness the Alpha Line’s first Greek probate show.

Founded in 1906 at Cornell University, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African American men. GSC staff members Dr. Brienne McDaniel and Dr. LaToya Stackhouse assisted the Charter Interest Group in coordinating with GSC’s administration to establish the Phi Tau Chapter.