SEO: NPHC, UGC Advisor Marcus McRae inspires students Uniting Organizations UMD chapter advisor uses leadership

to inspire Greek students

By: Liz King Training for Leadership since 1911. This is the motto of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity that has driven the brotherhood between members for more than 100 years. When Marcus McRae was initiated into the fraternity in the spring of 2000, he became more than just a brother. He transformed into an advocate of diversity and developed a passion for leadership that has stuck with him to this day. Now he is the Universitys chapter advisor for on-campus fraternities and sororities in both the National Pan-Hellenic Council and United Greek Council. He works with 15 chapters to accomplish expectations, establish goals, and enhance the valuebased experience of university students. McRae works directly with students to
McRae in his office located in the Stamp Student Union . Photo by Liz King.

bridge the gap between ethnicity-based fraternities and students at the university. I want to promote spiritual, social, intellectual, and moral welfare of our members. I push them to create a bond not only with each other, but with every Maryland student to show what it means to be part of their organizations, McRae said.

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The experience he had as a brother of Kappa Alpha Psi in his undergraduate study at Western Carolina shaped his future significantly and developed his passion for leading by example. Kappa Alpha Psi A fraternity with a predominantly African-American membership. Since its founding on January 5, 1911 at Indiana University, Kappa Alpha Psi has grown to more than 150,000 members with 721 undergraduate and alumni chapters in every state of the United States, and additionally in the United Kingdom, Germany, Korea, Japan, Nigeria, and South Africa. McRae immediately got involved in his own chapter after joining in 2000. He became the membership intake chair and proceeded to rise in ranks and become the vice president, also known as the pole mark. He then took a larger leadership role at his university when he became the vice president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, representing Kappa Alpha Psi as an executive board member. His involvement throughout his collegiate years was a true testament to the bond he developed in this value-based organization. Being able to promote diversity and take leadership in a fraternity that is historically black really connected me with my own heritage, McRae said. (more) More about Marcus McRae Hometown: Lowesville, North Carolina Favorite Movie: The Usual Suspects Favorite Genre of Music: R&B Favorite Color: Black Favorite Quote: Dont let the lid of limitations lock you out of living, learning, and loving life.

His experience within his own fraternity influenced him to shift his academic career track and get his masters degree in college student personnel at Fayetteville State University. I needed to give back to Kappa Alpha Psi and all color based fraternities what it gave to me. The leadership experience and pride I have in my organization completely changed my life and I get great joy from working with students here, he said. McRaes campus involvement McRae constantly challenges the Greek leaders he works with to create relationships with fraternities and sororities in other councils, as well as the general student body on campus. I challenge them to step outside of their comfort zone and initiate conversations with people in other councils, explained McRae. My main objective is to unite college men and women of honor and color. The chapters in the National Pan-Hellenic Council tend to have smaller numbers in their organizations than the Pan-Hellenic and Inter-Fraternity councils. McRae markets this to the chapters he advises as an opportunity, being that they can each take on more leadership responsibility within the organizations. Increasing numbers, as well as increasing the presence and awareness of these organizations on campus are McRaes top priorities as an advisor. To help create awareness on campus, McRae developed a monthly newsletter called The Yard that only
McRae created The Yard to keep the public updated. Photo source: www.greek.umd.edu

talks about National Pan-Hellenic Council chapters. (more) !

Each issue includes an overview of the past month, events happening, a quote of the month, and any new philanthropic or successful achievements of the organizations. Increasing on-campus presence is extremely important to McRae and his co-workers. Working with McRae McRaes university job requires him to meet with individuals from each of the 15 chapters under his advising department. He leads with the belief that the fundamental purpose is achievement through every field of human endeavor and reminds his students of this constantly. Christopher Grant, president of the National PanHellenic Council, works directly with McRae on a daily basis. His passion for our organizations is contagious, Grant said. Co-worker Corin Gioia, the assistant director of programming and advising at the Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life shares the same appreciation of McRae. He inspires a shared vision amongst the department to help these students make a difference in their lives. He is proof of how life changing it is to be a leader. Marcus McRae truly embodies what it means to be Greek. Since the Fall of 2012 he has been marketing the National Pan-Hellenic and United Greek Councils at the University. His constant support and development of the chapters makes him an asset to everyone able to work with him. As for the future, he is in no rush to leave the present. Im just trying to make a difference while I can. ### !
Corin Gioia works closely with McRae to foster positive relationships in the Greek community. Photo source: www.greek.umd.edu

Liz King

SEO: University of Maryland Step Show Dance-off Greek students host step show
By: Elizabeth King Taking it back to the Old School it read on the fliers. The theme was simple. The crowd was sold out. The stars were ready to shine. Brought to you for the first time since 2009 was the University of Maryland National Pan-Hellenic Councils Greek Step Show. Filled with flavorful live performances, this step show was hosted on Saturday, April 20 in our very own Stamp Student Union. Each organization that stepped had to incorporate the dance moves of a previous era to fit the theme. The event was Fliers were circulated throughout the Maryland community. Photo source: The Yard newsletter

put together by Marcus McRae, the NPHC on-campus advisor at the University, and the executive board of the NPHC council. It is held to bring together individuals who may not know about the dance traditions founded in these cultural organizations. For example, as a brother of Kappa Alpha Psi, McRae used the Kappa Kane as a prop that his Students use step shows to communicate. Photo source: The Yard newsletter (more) ! organization uses in step shows.

The purpose of the show is to battle between fellow organizations in a friendly, competitive spirit while still interacting with students who may not know much about these organizations. McRae called the event a huge success as he touched upon the packed crowd. For More Information Intrigued? For more information about upcoming events put on by Marcus McRae and NPHC keep an eye out for new issues of The Yard and follow @UMD_DST or @UMD_GreekTerps on Twitter!

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! ! Storyboard: Marcus McRae Home page: Marcus McRaes life and professional career as a chapter advisor Links to: Leadership opportunities at Maryland, Leadership tools, UMD Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life, Timeline of Marcuss life

Leadership opportunities at UMD Many students at UMD hold leadership positions or want to get more involved in organizations. By having this link I would be able to aid them in all of the networking that can be done in taking a leadership position. I felt that this was very important being the President of an 145 women sorority oncampus. www.thestamp.umd.edu/student_involvement is an amazing source for opportunities.

Leadership tools Connecting with the previous link, there are actual tools and workshops that UMD has to develop leadership skills. This would look into the minor in leadership studies as well.

UMD Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life The DFSL website is a huge asset to anyone interested in learning more about Greek Life or contacting a staff member. It also keeps up- to-date information about events to make sure that the public is informed. - Inspiring a Shared Vision

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Timeline of Marcus Life - Becomes a brother of Kappa Alpha Psi in 2000 - Becomes Vice President for his organization in 2001 - Is on the NPHC executive board in 2002 - Gets his masters degree in college student personnel from Fayettville State University - Joins DFSL in the fall of 2012

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