Dear readers,
As recruitment draws closer, we’ll keep highlighting more of our hardworking presidents — up next is Ella Trubek, the president of Alpha Epsilon Phi! She is a rising senior in PC ‘23 and is studying Psychology with a minor in Educational Psychology. Ella leads around 285 members and works alongside her 14 executive board members. Keep reading to find out more about Ella Trubek!
Blog Editors: What else are you involved in at UT?
Ella: I'm involved in a research lab, I'm a member of Psy Chi, the honor society for psychology at UT, the club Women in Psychology, and outside of academics, I'm pretty involved in the Jewish community at Texas through Hillel and Longhorn Students for Israel, and I volunteer a lot just in the Austin community as well.
Blog Editors: What inspired you to serve as president in your chapter?
Ella: The year before, I was on the executive board as VP Operations, and that experience made me realize how much I loved being behind the scenes to support the chapter. I got to plan our centennial celebration as it was our chapter's 100th year at UT, and we celebrated that along with parents' weekend, and it ended up being an event of more than 1000 people. I got really involved with advisors and alumni, and working with the president and finance. Being involved in such a major moment for our chapter made me more invested in the future of our chapter and when I was done with operations, I still wanted the opportunity to give back to the community.
Blog Editors: What goals do you have for your presidency, and what legacy do you want to leave on your chapter?
Ella: My biggest goal is to continue to build a chapter community and culture where people feel genuinely supported and included. I want people to feel empowered to be involved, to take on leadership roles, and be confident in those aspects of their lives. We're already really strong academically, and I want to continue strengthening that while still making it a personal, welcoming, and positive community.
Blog Editors: What’s the most rewarding thing that’s come out of your term?
Ella: Getting to work alongside such motivated and passionate women — the executive board, our advisors, our alumni who are still involved, seniors who graduate and still want to give back, people who aren't technically in a leadership role but who still want to contribute in any way that they can— and watching these girls grow into leadership roles.
Blog Editors: How would you describe an AEPhi in 3 words?
Ella: Driven, Supportive, and Genuine.
Blog Editors: What is your favorite tradition?
Ella: Something about all of the seniors that just graduated getting in the fountain after graduation, like seeing the pictures and how everyone is just so genuinely happy, I think that's so special. I can't wait to do that but I’m also sad and don’t want (graduation) to be here. When I think of Texas, I just think of pure bliss, it’s my happy place. I always tell people that it's the best place in the whole world, I don’t think it gets better.
Blog Editors: What’s your “must-see” when you have visitors in Austin?
Ella: I love walking around the lake so much. If I have free time on the weekends or during the week, I'm gonna walk from Rio Grande all the way down downtown and then walk around the lake and if I have extra energy, I'm gonna go to South Congress. That's always a must for me.
Blog Editors: What is the best thing AEPhi has given you?
Ella: Without a doubt, the friends that have become family. I got really lucky that my best friends that I made freshman year and my roommates all ended up going Phi, and we've been roommates all four years of college. Not only those girls, but also everyone in the chapter, and everyone who has supported me in my decision to become president.
Blog Editors: What is your favorite activity to do with your sorority sisters?
Ella: Whenever the sun is out, we have a deck, and everyone will just sardine up on the deck, and everyone will just cram with towels and tan. People play music, and it's girls of all ages, girls who live in the house, girls who don't, and it's a really nice time to chill, catch up, talk, and enjoy the company.
Blog Editors: What’s one thing you wish you knew about UT?
Ella: UT feels so big and being in Greek life gives you a smaller community in such a big place, but something I wish I knew was that I shouldn't be afraid to get involved with things on campus outside of Greek life. The more involved you get, the more meaningful your experience at UT becomes. It's not that scary, and everyone is in the same situation as you and wants to see you succeed; there's no reason not to try.
Blog Editors: What’s one thing you wish you knew about recruitment as a PNM?
Ella: You don't have to have everything figured out, and you don't have to know exactly what you're doing, or what you want at the end of the process. My mom wasn't in a sorority, I didn't have anyone to really ask questions to, and I had no idea what to expect. It's really easy to compare yourself and people around me seemed like they knew what they were doing, but everyone's experience is different and no one knows absolutely everything going on. The best thing you can do is just be genuine to who you are and trust the process.
Blog Editors: Any general advice you have for girls on the fence about going Greek?
Ella: It's completely normal to feel nervous or unsure about whether or not you want to go into recruitment. The biggest thing is finding a community where you feel comfortable being yourself. You just have to keep an open mind, trust yourself, and enjoy the process instead of putting pressure on yourself, and I think if you do all of those things, then I think there's only positives to gain.
We hope you enjoyed getting to know Ella as much as we did! Check back soon for the next edition of our Presidential Spotlight Series.
All my love,
Victoria :)