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Fraternities and sororities at Pitt State gain a new support system from newly hired Anna Stark, Greek life program coordinator in conjunction with the Campus Activities Center (CAC), officially beginning the position Monday, June 4.
Before her hiring, the position remained vacant since November 2017 with team of Eva Sager, associate director of campus activities, and a graduate assistant taking over the duties during that period. Stark will now take over responsibility of coordinating with over 500 Greek students at Pitt State.
Stark, Oklahoma native and alumna of both Drury University and Arkansas Tech University, said she desires to work everyday to address issues in Greek life and improve the university experience.
“It’s a hard time to be in a fraternity or sorority,” Stark said. “Nationwide we’re seeing allegations of hazing, alcohol abuse, sexual abuse, and I hope to be among those to address those problems.”
Stark is an alumna member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and has experience with many organizations and facets of Greek life. In the past she has traveled to numerous conferences dedicated to improving Greek experience and has actively shared her learned resources to Greek organizations on college campuses. One Stark’s focuses at Pitt State is the Greek 101 Program.
“I think there’s some growth to be done in terms of education,” she said. “Our goal is to help chapter officers be more strategic and bring back programs they do to the core values.”
She also wishes to strengthen old programs while continuing to develop new ideas for the future, as she said she believes in the positive impact of Greek life at Pitt State.
“Nationally, you’ll see higher retention rates with individuals who are Greek versus non-Greek,” Stark said. “You’ll see higher GPAs.
According to Stark, many Greek organizations also have direct impacts on college communities through community service projects and fundraisers.
“The giant programs these national organizations are doing comes back to a positive influence on our specific campus,” she said.
Stark said she is excited to work with students and Greek organizations through her office to help make student life better.
“Everyone is so welcoming and nice and willing to help, especially my coworkers,” she said.
Stark also had the opportunity to meet with representatives from the Greek organizations during Pitt C.A.R.E.S., orientation for incoming freshmen.
“I got to connect with them (Greek representatives) on a more personal level, instead of the general ‘how are things going?’” she said. “I think it’s important to start building those relationships now before we jump in during the school year.”
As part of Stark’s position, she coordinates with the Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Council to organize educational events such as “Chillin’ and Grillin’: Fraternity Life 101” scheduled for Tuesday, August 21. This is a mixer for Greek students to get acquainted and inform non-Greek students about the available organizations. The event is meant to bolster recruitment for all fraternities on campus and Stark is hopeful it will be successful.
