Corry Smith

In 2017, Corry Smith was in nearing completion of graduate school at Indiana State University when the Vice President for Student Affairs presented him an opportunity to join the office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. His charge was to grow the affiliate chapters within the National Pan-Hellenic Council on campus.

And grown them he has.

Smith began in Fraternity and Sorority Life as the Coordinator. As the Coordinator, he provided direct leadership to the National Pan-Hellenic Council, supported the growth and emergence of the culturally-based organizations within the fraternity and sorority community, and advised the ISU honorary society Order of Omega. Smith now serves as the Associate Director providing direct leadership to the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the Panhellenic Association, while continuing the expansion efforts of culturally-based organizations.

Prior to his appointment, Smith worked for two years within the Division of Enrollment Management, Marketing and Communications as an Admissions Counselor and as Testing Coordinator. Smith, ’15, GR’18, earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from State.

Having originally come to Indiana State in 2011, as a freshman from Richton Park, IL, Smith never thought that he would be working in Fraternity and Sorority Life, but his final graduate practicum experience opened his eyes to the impact of fraternities and sororities. He was impressed with the fraternities and sororities on campus and their focus on cultivating well-rounded students through programs and initiatives focused on leadership, scholarship, service, and philanthropy.

Smith is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and was a 2019 Editorial team member for the Essentials e-publication with the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA). In addition, Smith’s service to Indiana State includes serving as the co-chair of the Division of Student Affairs Staff Recruitment committee, facilitator for the inaugural STATE LeaderShape Institute, mentor for the Mentoring Assistance for Productive Scholars (MAPS) program with the Charles E. Brown African American Cultural Center, and as an Alternative Breaks chaperone.

“Since joining the FSL team, I’ve grown the National Pan-Hellenic organizations from 4 to 7 affiliate chapters by cultivating relationships on and off campus, including collaborating with other college campus chapters in the state and Midwestern region,” said Smith.

It was a talk with Carolyn (Tyler) Roberts ’58, GR’59 that taught Smith the importance of building and maintaining relationships, especially connections with State alumni to benefit the development of current students. “In 2017, Carolyn and I worked together with the Indiana Historical Bureau to have a historical marker installed on campus honoring the work and life of Evangeline E. Harris” said Smith. He felt the marker dedication was an empowering and educational experience that showcased the rich history of fraternity and sorority life at ISU. “Greek life gives students a space to learn new skills they will be able to transfer to the classroom and career. Students are also provided brotherhood, sisterhood, and siblinghood and those connections significantly impact their personal development for the better,” said Smith.

In 2019, Smith led the two year charge to charter a chapter of Gamma Phi Omega International Sorority, Incorporated. Gamma Phi Omega welcomes women of all ethnicities, and is built on Latina-oriented values. “I truly believe that fraternity and sorority life is for every student, they just need access to the organizations where they feel a sense of belonging and connectedness”, he said. It is Smith’s goal to continue expansion efforts to make fraternities and sororities accessible to all students and he looks forward to the continued growth of the Fraternity and Sorority community to enrich the student experience at Indiana State.