Dear Potential New Members,

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Welcome to the Panhellenic Association at the University of Maryland, College Park!

As the Vice President of Recruitment, I am so excited to welcome you to our community and to be a part of your recruitment experience. Recruitment is such an exciting time, and I hope you are able to see it as an opportunity to meet new people, learn about our chapters and, most importantly, find a place where you feel comfortable being yourself.

If there is one piece of advice I could give you throughout this process, it would be to be yourself and keep an open mind. I know that sounds cliché, but it really is one of the most important things you can do. Every chapter is different, and every person brings something unique to the Panhellenic community. Try not to go into recruitment with a picture of what you think your experience is supposed to look like. Instead, focus on the conversations you have, the people you meet and how you feel when you are in each space. Trust yourself and trust the process. You never know which conversation or connection might end up meaning the most to you.

While finding a chapter that feels like home is an important part of recruitment, Panhellenic is so much bigger than the letters you wear. Our community is made up of women who care about scholarship, service, leadership, friendship and making a difference on campus and beyond. Some of the most meaningful relationships you make throughout recruitment may not even be within your own chapter. Your Rho Gammas, fellow Potential New Members and women from chapters across campus will all become part of your experience in ways you may not expect.

Choosing to go through recruitment was one of the best decisions I have made during my time at Maryland. Panhellenic has given me some of my closest friendships, opportunities to grow as a leader and experiences that have challenged me to become a better version of myself. It has also taught me that sisterhood can look different than you might expect and that some of the people who come into your life during college can become people you carry with you long after graduation.

I hope you allow yourself to enjoy this process. There may be moments that feel overwhelming or uncertain, but you do not have to have everything figured out from the beginning. Take a breath, ask questions, be honest with yourself and remember that there is no one right way to experience recruitment. Your college experience is your own, and I hope you find a community that supports you, challenges you and allows you to grow into the person you want to become.
I cannot wait to meet you all and welcome you to Panhellenic at Maryland! Until then, I encourage you to explore our website, come to our recruitment events and take some time to learn more about the incredible community you are about to be a part of.

We are so excited to have you here, and I cannot wait to see where this journey takes you!
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out at umdrecruitment@gmail.com.
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With love,​

Nia Smith

Vice President of Recruitment
Panhellenic Association
University of Maryland, College Park