Alpha Sigma Alpha is one of University of Arizona’s newest sororities. It aims to provide its members with the opportunity to create a strong sisterhood while inspiring women to make a difference. 

ASA was officially welcomed on the UA campus in the fall of 2017. According to CJ Graziano Smith, coordinator for the Fraternity and Sorority programs, ASA applied for extension when the National Panhellenic Conference guidelines became open for extension in fall 2016. 

From the very beginning, ASA’s mission has been to have a positive influence in their members’ lives, developing their character along the way.

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“College can be a period of transition for many people, especially women; we strive to make a difference in our members from the moment they join,” said Elizabeth Oien, ASA executive board president. “To us, it’s less about who you are when you join and more about who you become throughout your membership with Alpha Sigma Alpha.”

A typical ASA sister is not only a woman with poise and purpose, it is also caring to all of those around her, according to Oien. She said that an ASA sister is defined by their compassion and concern for others. 

“Although we are brought together by our membership within the chapter, we are proud to foster a community of support and concern for everyone on our campus, regardless of if they wear a Greek-letter badge or not,” Oien said. 

ASA was able to participate in their first recruitment this fall, allowing more UA students the chance to become part of the diverse sisterhood. 

“This past August we participated in our first formal recruitment. It was so exciting to meet all the potential new members, and we were so thankful to take part in growing the Greek community,” Oien said. “Recruitment went well, and we were humbled to take part in the process. We learned that it is very long and strenuous, but the result of gaining new sisters makes the experience so much more than worth it.”

Alexis Ahumada, one ASA’s members, was also impressed at how well their first recruitment went.

“Recruitment went extremely well, considering it was our first time as a chapter. Getting to meet potential new members was an exciting experience for everyone,” Ahumada said. 

An important factor that makes ASA who they are is their philanthropic work, according to Ahumada. ASA stresses the importance of giving back to the community by supporting three different programs.

“Alpha Sigma Alpha is proud to support three philanthropic partners: Girls on the Run, The S. June Smith Center and Special Olympics,” Oien said. “Our chapters across the country also take part in D.O.T. [Donating Our Time] Days.” 

Throughout the first week in October, their members donate their time to the Tucson community through acts of service and giving. This year’s D.O.T. Days are coming up in a couple weeks, and ASA members said they are “excited to give back to the community.”

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Fellow ASA member Alessandra Fucchi credits her decision to join ASA to the philanthropic work. 

“I chose ASA because I loved our philanthropy that we are associated with,” Fucchi said.  

Despite only being on campus for a short amount of time, ASA has already made its mark on the UA campus.

“Alpha Sigma Alpha brings diversity, sisterhood and service to the University of Arizona campus,” Oein said. “Being the only Panhellenic sorority at the UA that is un-housed, we offer women the opportunity to be members of the Greek community and participate in all that it offers, while still being cost effective.”

Oien also said its diversity sets ASA apart from other sororities. She states that ASA is proud to be an organization that facilitates relationships and sisterhood between women of all origins.  

ASA sisters form friendships that will last a lifetime, Oein stressed. They are able to build a close relationship with one another, making their sorority experience a memorable one.

“When joining ASA, I didn’t think I would’ve made so many friends, and I truly was able to. I now have girlfriends that are there for me during the good times but also the tough times,” Fucchi said. 

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