Dear PNMs,
Recruitment registration has been open for a week, and some of you may have noticed the “Values” section of the online application. At Texas, we run a values-based recruitment, which prioritizes PNMs using the core values they’ve developed—through family, faith, personal experience, goals, and more—to guide you towards a sisterhood that feels like home. During recruitment, everyone will wear a name tag with your 3 core values. We hope it keeps you grounded and reminds you of what’s important for you to find in the chapter you’ll call home.
Picking your 3
Choosing your values can seem intimidating, but it’s important to keep in mind there isn’t a perfect set of 3 for anyone; you are all multi-dimensional women who have worked hard and grown through your experiences, so no choice is a wrong one. Start by reflecting on your own personal experiences: people you look to as role models, principles you lean on when making big decisions, lessons you’ve learned about yourself. From there, take a look at the list of values on our website and relate them to those experiences you listed. After you go through the values and whittle them down to ones you resonate with, go from your list of around 30 down to 10. Then, choose 5 and rank them. Congratulations, you just chose your 3 values!
Why this matters
Investing thought into this process will result in your nametag truly reflecting who you are. Every single PNM will have their 3 values printed on their nametag, and while it’s not make-or-break, your values are one way chapters begin to understand who you are as a person. On the flip side, using your values to guide your experience each day of recruitment is an incredible way to ensure that you are finding your way home. Stepping into another era of college is a great time to try different things and meet new people, but it’s important not to lose sight of yourself in the process. Your values give you concrete traits to come back to during recruitment, serving as an easy way to stay on track.
Values after recruitment
Your values don’t just disappear once you run home to your chapter—you will see them reflected at the sisterhood events you attend, every volunteering experience you involve yourself in, and especially in all the girls you meet in your new home. These 3 values are what guides the beginning of this new, exciting part of college, whether you are a first-time freshman, a transfer student, or an upperclassman trying something new.
Below, our Blog Editors wrote about their values when they went through Primary Recruitment 2 summers ago (wow, we are old) and how those 3 words guided them home. Keep reading!
Shreya’s Values: Diversity, Authenticity, Happiness
Diversity
Growing up, I felt incredibly proud of my culture, and my parents encouraged me to share it with my friends—being different was a strength. I was worried about moving to college and away from my parents, but my differences have always felt welcomed, celebrated, and encouraged by my friends at UT. I strongly believe every single girl can find a place to call home within Texas Panhellenic, and representing all the passionate, involved women in our community is the ultimate way to make sure each girl knows she belongs.
Authenticity
As a 20-year-old girl, being honest and reliable is a good quality, and one I look for in the people I surround myself with. As a journalism major, I’ve learned that reporting with transparency and truthfully is a must. No matter where you are or who you are leading, openness builds trust and deeper connections between everyone involved in a project or organization. By allowing myself to be vulnerable, I show the people around me that it is okay to do the same.
Optimism
Constantly choosing peace and to be positive has shaped me into who I am today. Operating under the assumption that the world is working for you rather than against you, and being assured that everything happens for a reason, is such an uplifting way to go through life. Opening every connection with warmth and generosity makes the biggest difference in how people feel inside your community, and it’s exactly how I’ve felt within my chapter at UT.
Madi’s Values: Growth, Initiative, Gratitude
Growth
Going into college, I knew growth had to be one of my values — it was the word that captured everything I was hoping college would be. It still applies now more than ever; I’m growing professionally, finding new passions, and discovering parts of myself I never had the space to explore before. Within Panhellenic, the people I’ve met have genuinely shaped who I am today. My sisters have guided my growth in ways I never expected. Hazel’s constant warmth and support have pushed me to be more open and present for the people around me, and watching Taylor’s discipline and dedication has challenged me to hold myself to a higher standard every single day. I am continuously growing within this space, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have women like them leading the way.
Initiative
Initiative to me means betting on yourself before anyone else does. Growing up in a small town, opportunities were few and far between. I learned early on to think outside the box, build my own path, and find the confidence to apply to my dream school anyways. That same mentality carries me now as I work towards my professional goals. Panhellenic has fueled my drive even further — this blog being the perfect example. Writing is far outside my comfort zone, but leaning into this creative side of myself has uncovered a love I didn’t know I had and that never would have happened without this community giving me the space to try.
Gratitude
Gratitude was always at the forefront of my mind going into recruitment; I never wanted to lose sight of how lucky I was to be in that position. I had always dreamed of finding my place within the Panhellenic community, and it’s so easy to get caught up in the emotions and nerves and forget to just be present. I am so grateful for the relationships I have built, the memories I have made, and the person I have grown into because of this community. The sense of belonging I have found here is something I will carry with me forever, and I feel so blessed to be surrounded by women who inspire me every single day. I can’t wait for new girls to feel that same sense of wonder and appreciation. Once you find your people, you will understand exactly what I mean.
Victoria’s Values: Confidence, Inclusion, Happiness
Confidence
Throughout my life, I have always struggled a little bit with confidence. Whether it was in social settings or as simple as while taking a test, I would find myself comparing who I was to other people. When college came around, I hoped that I could start believing in my abilities and overall being a bit kinder towards myself. Being a part of the Panhellenic community has brought me closer with girls who make me feel good about myself, show the most genuine side of themselves, and have helped me grow. Surrounding myself with women who only want to empower and lift me to put my best foot forward has been so inspiring, and I want to do the same for other girls.
Inclusion
I've grown up with two siblings who are both on the autism spectrum so throughout my entire life I have had a good understanding of how differently people can think and work. Coming to college, I knew I wanted to find a group of people that care about including everyone in as that was something I truly valued. Being a panhellenic woman, I have discovered true women who have always been so invited and truly care about me. I found a group of people who understand where I come from and how my family is an important part of who I am. When it comes to working within my sorority, I make sure to include everyone we work with and address what each person needs help with.
Happiness
I’ve always believed that life should be viewed positively; we only have so many hours in a day so we should live each day to the fullest. I wanted to come into college finding people that I could be myself around and who always have that same positive outlook on life. Joining this community has introduced me to so many happy and caring girls who are down for anything. Whether it's going on a side quest, having a girls night in, or going to try a new coffee shop, there isn’t a bad day when you're a Panhellenic woman! I want other girls to experience the sisterhood I've found within my own sorority and for them to find their happiness at UT.
These are just 9 examples of the “why” behind some of your options for values during recruitment, and living proof your values guide your Panhellenic journey past recruitment. If there aren’t 3 on the list that inspire you, feel free to choose a word that embodies who you are.
I hope this read made picking your values a little less nerve-wracking and the process behind a values-based recruitment a little more clear. Like you read earlier, there is no wrong value to pick, but devoting genuine time and effort towards your 3 can make for a smoother and better recruitment process. Good luck!
All my love,
Shreya