It’s normal to feel anxious about your child going to college and experiencing recruitment. See below for testimonials from parents of current members of Panhellenic to get advice and hear about their experience!

Dawn Sloan

Watching my daughter, Mandi, go through the sorority recruitment process was initially a little overwhelming. I was not part of Greek life in college and had no idea what to expect. Mandi transferred to Texas Tech for the second semester of her freshman year. She had participated in sorority recruitment at her initial university, but it was during that time that she decided to transfer to Texas Tech. She opted to not accept a bid and participate in COB (Continuous Open Bidding) at Texas Tech. I really didn’t understand what COB meant and was also nervous about her moving out of state mid-semester. We arrived for move-in, and the campus was very quiet. Current students had not returned from winter break yet. Mandi had signed up for COB and participated in her first meet and greet within a couple of days of arriving in Texas. She was excited to make new friends and see where the process lead. I was so relieved to see her meeting new people and feeling welcomed right off the bat. Since accepting her bid, I’ve seen Mandi mature and become more responsible, better with time management, and develop her leadership skills. From Junior Panhellenic and various committees in her sorority to Associate VP of Recruitment on the Panhellenic Executive Board, Mandi has shown her leadership potential, her ability to organize people and events and show her passion for Panhellenic council. Mandi has also gotten the opportunity to go to many Fraternity and Sorority Life conferences to further grow as a leader on the Texas Tech campus. She also now works in the Fraternity and Sorority Life office as a Student Assistant! I cannot begin to express my gratitude for the Panhellenic and Fraternity and Sorority Life community for not only welcoming my daughter with open arms but also giving her numerous opportunities to get more involved in all aspects of student life. I truly believe that the recruitment process matches up women with their “forever home”, whether it is in Primary Recruitment or the COB process. Everyone involved in Mandi’s recruitment experience was there to support her and help her succeed. They answered her questions, guided her, lifted her up when she was down and celebrated her wins. She has had an amazing experience and made life-long friends in the Panhellenic community. Mandi now lives with multiple of her sisters and I am happy to say that she has found her home in her sorority in the Panhellenic community. From my perspective, I felt like communication about the process, expectations, and expenses were both upfront and clear. I am happy thrilled that Mandi took this path and I’m proud of what she has and will accomplish.

DeNielle Riley

Going through the recruitment process 3 years ago was exciting and a bit nerve-worrisome. With Jaydin being a first generation college student attending a Pac 12 school, I had no idea what to expect. I was already very impressed with Jaydin’s accomplishments and knew she was going to do amazing in school, however everything in sorority life was completely new to us. So when she told me she wanted to go through recruitment, the homework process began for me.  I was severely looking into every society and wanted to know more about Greek life.  

The more I researched the more I realized that going through recruitment would be the 1st big accomplishment of her next 4 years.  It wasn’t about what sorority she would get a bid from, although that was super exciting.  It was about Jaydin spreading her wings.  This was going to be the first time she was going to do something alone.  Well at least that is what I thought until she called me the first night. 

Recruitment is so much more than what you see on Instagram and other social media platforms.  It is truly an opportunity for your daughter to get the chance to spread her wings.  The chance to talk about themselves, their valves, their goals and all while meeting new friends on day one. Every day when Jaydin would call me to talk about what sororities she visited and her thoughts on them I could hear the excitement in her voice and it made me so much more excited and proud of her for doing this. 

She’s about to start her senior year of college this far and I don’t think I could be more proud of who she has become and the opportunities that she’s been given due to Panhellenic. Going from a shy first generation student and to being the Vice President of Recruitment who wants to do everything she can to help women wanting to join a sorority is inspiring to say the least. It has even led to my youngest daughter MaKenna to pursue joining a sorority this fall at Ole Miss. There isn’t a single thought in my mind that regrets letting her join a sorority, I love telling anyone who will listen about Jaydin being in a sorority and what she has done with it. 

Janet Mahlie

As a mom, watching my daughter Ava navigate sorority recruitment was both exciting and eye-opening. From the moment she stepped into the world of Greek life, I witnessed her blossom in ways I never imagined. One of the most wonderful aspects of Ava's recruitment journey was how quickly she found her place within Kappa Delta. From meeting her sorority twin and Big through her set group, to being warmly embraced and guided through the early days as a new member, the support she received was remarkable. It was heartwarming to see her bond with her sorority sisters, who became not just friends, but also mentors and lifelong companions. What truly amazed me was how Ava dove headfirst into leadership roles within Kappa Delta. From Junior Panhellenic to assistant Panhellenic delegate, Panhellenic values committee member, and director of community outreach for Panhellenic, she seized every opportunity to contribute and make a difference. Kappa Delta empowered her to recognize and cultivate her strengths, instilling in her a newfound confidence and a willingness to take on challenges with enthusiasm. However, amidst the excitement of recruitment, there were also lessons learned. I had not anticipated the scorching heat of the summer days, and Ava returned home with a sunburn—a reminder to always wear sunscreen! Additionally, as a parent, I realized there were aspects of the recruitment process that I didn't fully understand. The daily schedule and what to expect each day were sometimes unclear, leading to moments of uncertainty and confusion. Also, navigating the financial aspects, such as understanding the breakdown of sorority dues and navigating the payment website, proved to be difficult at first. Despite these challenges, witnessing Ava's growth and happiness within Kappa Delta has been immensely rewarding. She has found a community that supports and uplifts her, and I am incredibly proud of the woman she is becoming. As a mom, I am grateful for the opportunities sorority recruitment has provided for Ava to flourish and thrive

Nichole Rose

In the fall of 2021, my daughter chose to participate in primary recruitment at Texas Tech University, marking our family's first foray into Greek Life. Abby, my daughter, had a successful recruitment experience and was thrilled to receive a bid from her top choice. Finding her place in this new sisterhood, she eagerly joined Junior Panhellenic that fall. Unbeknownst to her at the time, this decision would lead her to a deeply engaging and meaningful sorority experience, as well as an extended sisterhood that ventured into new, unexpected territories. During her sophomore year, Abby was active in various sorority committees and also contributed to the Panhellenic Values Committee. By 2023, she had risen to the position of Executive Vice President of Texas Tech Panhellenic, spearheading numerous initiatives as she prepared for her upcoming role as Panhellenic President in 2024.

Throughout her recruitment journey, Abby's enthusiasm for being part of Tech in a new capacity was evident. She was keen on finding a sorority that not only met her needs but also matched her desire to be part of a supportive sisterhood community. Shortly after bid day, she excitedly shared with me her connections with fellow recruits from the Panhellenic community through Junior Panhellenic. This reassured our family that Abby was carving out her niche in her first year at university. Over the next three years, I watched Abby evolve into a leader, adept at making challenging decisions for her community. She honed her organizational skills, enhanced her problem-solving abilities, and developed a broader perspective. Abby's travels with her Panhellenic team have created lasting memories. She has forged valuable, meaningful, and rewarding connections within Panhellenic, the university, and the broader community. As the parent of a dynamic and confident young woman, I am immensely proud of the opportunities Panhellenic has provided Abby.

Witnessing Abby's journey through her sorority and leadership roles within Texas Tech Panhellenic has been a profound joy. She has discovered a supportive community of women who encourage each other in their Greek Life endeavors, academic pursuits, and beyond.