Running Home Sweet Home: Panhellenic Recruitment Counselors Support Students in Finding Community

Written By: Megan Zimmerman, Intern, Student Life Communications

The start of each academic year brings vast changes and challenges for incoming students. As Volunteers adjust to their new home before classes start, many first-year and returning students choose to participate in sorority and fraternity recruitment, looking to find community on the ever-growing UT campus. And for the 2,316 women participating in the recruitment process for the Panhellenic council, they can look to a specialized group of student leaders for guidance and encouragement every step of the way.

Students participating in Panhellenic recruitment are known as potential new members or PNMs. When PNMs enter Sorority Village for the first time, they are met by over 100 junior and senior members who have chosen to disaffiliate from their respective chapters for the recruitment period in order to mentor potential new members. These recruitment counselors are referred to as Gamma Chis and represent all 14 Panhellenic chapters, disaffiliated in order to remove any bias from the process. Each Gamma Chi will lead a group of 15 PNMs to offer them support and guidance from before the recruitment rounds begin through Bid Day, the day when PNMs “run home” to the chapter they will join.

From an outside perspective, the work of a Gamma Chi begins at the start of formal recruitment in August; however these committed Volunteers have been preparing for their role almost a year in advance. Gamma Chi applications are reviewed in October of the prior academic year, followed by interviews and acceptance to the program being communicated shortly thereafter. The real work begins in the spring semester, when all Gamma Chis are required to enroll in a leadership class focused on helping each student understand their strengths as a leader and how they can utilize them for their role. As each student builds their self-awareness, the class prepares Gamma Chis to face challenges that may arise during recruitment, utilizing their own leadership strengths.

Jennifer Pierce Thomas, associate director for council and chapter services in the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life, emphasized the importance of the leadership class in preparing for the unique role that Gamma Chis serve in.

“Gamma Chis are often the first student leader that these new students are going to interact with,” Thomas said. 

In addition to supporting the logistical aspect of orchestrating a smooth recruitment process, Thomas noted the significance of providing PNMs with a leader to turn to throughout the week. While the majority of those going through recruitment are first-year students adjusting to college life, their Gamma Chi provides students with a trusted individual to support them, starting their academic year on the right foot.

For junior Zoe Zwickey, playing an active mentorship role in the lives of her potential new members was the primary reason she applied to be a Gamma Chi, emphasizing how important her recruitment counselor was to her transition to UT as a first-year student. 

“She set me up for success not only in recruitment but success for my freshman year as a whole,” Zwickey said. “I wanted the opportunity to make that same difference for even just one potential new member.”

Through taking the leadership course prior to formal recruitment, Zwickey felt more prepared to handle the unexpected questions that arose during recruitment week. In uncertain situations, she also found community amongst her fellow Gamma Chis as they worked to provide a positive experience for each PNM.

“Knowing I wasn’t alone and that others could offer insight or support when I needed it made all the difference,” Zwickey said. “Throughout our coursework and preparation at the Gamma Chi retreat, I had all the skills necessary to lead with intentionality and navigate uncertainty.”

Not only have the skills learned prepared her to serve as a Gamma Chi, but they’ve also helped Zwickey grow in her leadership skills overall, taking on the role of president of the Panhellenic executive board for 2026.

“Being constantly prepared to adapt and respond to challenges helped me grow tremendously and prepared me for future leadership roles, including my position on the Panhellenic executive board,” Zwickey said. “The skills I developed throughout this experience, such as communication, empathy, and adaptability, have carried over into all areas of my life, both personally and professionally.”

In addition to developing leadership skills, one of the most significant aspects of the role is helping thousands of students build meaningful relationships both in chapter houses and in the downtime between rounds. From spending time with your Gamma Chi group on the Sorority Village lawn to chatting with a new friend on the bus back to the residence halls, the nature of the process lends itself to building lasting friendships regardless of which house students run home to.

Junior Pilar Valdez served as a Gamma Chi for fall 2025 recruitment, as well as assistant vice president of recruitment counselors for the Panhellenic Council. Dedicating significant time to the recruitment process, Valdez, who now serves as the Panhellenic Council’s vice president of new member development, recognized how important the role is in community building on campus, even for students who decide that the experience is not for them.

“Building relationships going beyond the surface level is critical in truly getting to know the women and for us to be successful in our roles in making them feel welcomed in our community,” Valdez said. “Whether or not the PNM finds their home in our Panhellenic community, they have a friend and supporter in their Gamma Chi always.”

Through helping others build community and disaffiliating from their own chapter for the recruitment period, each Gamma Chi exemplifies the Volunteer Spirit through leading and serving. Whether the potential new members are first-year or returning students, the role of the Gamma Chi works to foster both the success and well-being of each individual student during formal recruitment and beyond. 

“This experience reminded me of why I joined the Panhellenic community,” Valdez said. “Friendship, support, connectedness, and family.”