Students at the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics have a diverse range of nearly 30 student-led groups on campus, offering students opportunities to connect, engage and grow in their personal and professional interests.
Reaghan Vasilenko, Class of 2025 marketing and management double major with minors in professional sales and theater studies, is the president of Phi Chi Theta (PCT) professional business fraternity at Lerner College. Vasilenko shared why she joined PCT, what makes the group stand out and how to get involved.
Lerner: When and why did you choose to join this student group?
Vasilenko: I joined Phi Chi Theta my first semester of freshman year in 2021. It was the first thing I joined on campus because of the inviting atmosphere the current members I spoke to had created and the fact that it was a chance for me to really connect with people who had similar interests to mine.
Lerner: When and where does your student group meet and approximately how many members do you have?
Vasilenko: Phi Chi Theta meets once a week for chapter meetings on Sundays in lecture halls on campus (location slightly varies each semester). Separate from chapter, we typically have 1-3 other weekly events that take place across campus that can range from speaker events, networking nights, resume reviews, and even social outings! At this point in time we have between 60-70 active members.
Lerner: What is the mission/goal of your student group?
Vasilenko: The goal of Phi Chi Theta is to give students who are pursuing a major or minor in the business field a second home on campus where they can network, gain advice, meet recruiters, and even make lifelong friendships. We hone in on professional aspects and skill development, give our members access to exclusive recruitment opportunities, create charity events to support our local community, and create a very tight-knit community through various social activities.
Lerner: What is your best memory or proudest moment from this student group?
Vasilenko: My best memory with Phi Chi Theta would have to be when we took a trip to Philadelphia to watch a Phillies game together. It was such a fun trip for everyone involved and I had a blast being able to explore a new city with some of my best friends on campus. It can get hard in college when you get into the thick of it with classes and exams, so knowing that you have a group of people to blow off steam with from time to time is an aspect of PCT that I will always treasure.
Lerner: What is unique about your student group?
Vasilenko: What makes Phi Chi Theta unique is the element of closeness that we have with one another. We are a very tight-knit group of people, so we have been able to create a very personable and outgoing atmosphere for all of our members. It can get hard in bigger groups to make these connections with other members, but we prioritize internal relationships a great deal!
Lerner: What are your goals for the future of your student group?
Vasilenko: My hope for the future of Phi Chi Theta is that we can continue to be a safe space for students in Lerner College. We have been able to bring so many amazing people together and genuinely change lives in not only a personal sense, but also a professional sense through our business connections. Phi Chi Theta will keep inviting new members with open arms and sharing the generational knowledge and resources we have obtained.
Lerner: How has your student group helped you grow, personally or professionally?
Vasilenko: Phi Chi Theta has allowed me to find my best friends on this campus, some of which I never would have met if not for the group. Even as we have members graduate, I still keep very close connections with them. Knowing at the end of the day that I have a group of people who are always rooting for me and will be there for me no matter what has taken off a lot of the emotional burdens that come with college. I am forever grateful for PCT!
Lerner: Does your group have any social media handles?
Instagram: @udpct
LinkedIn: Udpct
Tik Tok: @udpct
Lerner: Does your group have a website?
https://sites.google.com/udel.edu/phichithetaud/
Lerner: Is there any additional information regarding your student group that you believe has not been covered?
Vasilenko: We begin to recruit a new pledge class at the start of both the fall and spring semesters. Our co-ed professional business fraternity is open to any undergraduate student with a major or minor in business or economics. If you have any questions about our RSO, Rush, or even just life as a student in Lerner, please feel free to contact us at the below email: info.udpct@gmail.com