Meet the Greeks

A Look At DePaul’s Historically Latinx Greek-Letter Organizations

For many college students, joining a fraternity or sorority is more than just a social activity — it’s a way of life. While the stereotype of house parties and red Solo cups is what dominates pop culture, that’s just not what the experience is for the majority of students wearing double-stitch letters.

At DePaul, Greek life goes beyond building friendships; it’s about lifelong connections and establishing values that guide members through life. 

The National Multicultural Greek Council has established communities over several university campuses across the United States. The Multicultural Greek Council, founded in 1998, was created with the purpose of recognizing emerging Greek-letter organizations that aimed to create a space for marginalized college students. Decades later, DePaul students of all backgrounds are encouraged to be a part of these organizations.  

Meet the Multicultural Greek Council at DePaul University. 

DePaul is home to 27 Greek chapters consisting of sororities and fraternities that fall under four councils: Panhellenic (PHC), Interfraternity Council (IFC), National Panhellenic Council (NPHC) and the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC).

The MGC includes eight organizations, each with its own history, values and cultural roots: 

Alpha Phi Gamma Sorority, Inc.
Alpha Psi Lambda National, Inc.
Gamma Phi Omega International Sorority, Inc.
Delta Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.
Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc.
Lambda Phi Epsilon International Fraternity, Inc.
Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc.
Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc. 

Of these eight chapters, five are historically Latinx.

Pueblo spoke to three members about what life is like wearing their letters at a college with a quieter Greek life than those at a larger school. 

Here is a look at what Greek life looks like for those in the MGC at DePaul:

What are the MGC orgs like at DePaul? 

That depends on the member you talk to. Every member of a Greek org has a unique experience. Here’s what the members had to say:

Nazari Avendano

Alpha Psi Lambda National, Inc.
Line name: El Secreto De Oro
Crossover Name: Tonantzin
Hometown: Chicago

When talking about her chapter, junior Nazari Avendano, a member of Alpha Psi Lambda National, Inc. (APsi), says her chapter is “Latinx inclusive, but not Latinx exclusive.”

APsi is DePaul’s only coed multicultural fraternity, and the first coed multicultural fraternity in the nation. APsi’s motto, “together we shall seek the noblest,” emphasizes finding dedicated, generous, loyal members who would put others over themselves. 

Avendano is a first-generation Guatemalan student, and she said joining her fraternity made her feel empowered and like she was a part of something bigger than herself. Before joining, Avendano felt she lacked assertiveness, and being an APsi made her realize she could not carry out her life this way any longer. She remembers her siblings (fellow APsi members) checking in on her when they could sense she was feeling down, reminding her she had a support system to back her up.

Valentina Cruz
Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority, Inc.
Ship Name: G.S. Marahlia
Line Name: Aria
Hometown: Romeoville, Illinois

When reflecting on what aspect of her life she has grown in the most since joining her chapter, junior Valentina Cruz, a member of Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority, Inc., also known as Gamma, said her chapter taught her about self-love and valuing herself. Cruz not only holds multiple leadership positions within her chapter, but she is also on the executive board for the MGC at DePaul. 

Cruz said one of her first memories in her chapter was attending their annual “Bachata y Horchata” event in collaboration with Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc., or Beta for short, which allowed her to connect with others in the MGC and the DePaul community. 

While Cruz is heavily involved now, she admits she was unsure if Greek life was for her at the beginning. Her uncle was a member of the Betas, which led her to want to pursue something different. She ultimately changed her mind, and being a part of the MGC has helped her in a variety of ways. 

When asked what she would say to someone interested in joining an MGC organization, she said, “This isn’t something that is just for four years, it’s definitely for life.” 

Valentina explained how her sorority sisters are not only there for each other, but also for others in the community through acts of service. This includes attending events with Feed My Starving Children and DePaul’s TRIO Student Support Services. Their national causes which they dedicate their philanthropic efforts to are the Sigma Lambda Gamma Education Foundation and Breast Cancer Awareness.

Jesus Avila
Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc.
Ship Name: X.O.L.O
Line Name: Aplomo

Hometown: Milwaukee

“We’re getting those conversations going about what it means to be a man.”

Junior Jesus Avila of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc., says his chapter at DePaul, and nationally, focuses on dismantling machismo — a Spanish term used to describe the dominant, forceful and traditional expectations of a man. 

This past spring, DePaul Betas hosted a drag event, which was a new tradition that Avila hopes to continue within his chapter. 

The DePaul Betas have continuously donated to Mujeres En Accion, a Latina-led organization that provides programs for women who have experienced domestic violence and assault.

Avila also points out that while he and his brothers are all very different, this is one of their strongest traits. 

“We’re all different from each other, but you know, we all have this shared interest and love for our fraternity and academics, especially being a minority group of men,” he said.

Avila said joining his chapter was like “taking a leap of faith” and putting himself out there with a group he would not typically expect himself to be in. Despite his initial hesitation, he found a home within his chapter.

“These guys are very on top of their academics, and very family oriented, literally just like me in so many ways,” he said. “I love that.”

Everything Else You Need To Know About The MGC

Being new to Greek life can make the process of joining an organization seem intimidating. Here is a quick guide on what the MGC is, and how you can get involved.

What’s the difference between MGC organizations and other Greek organizations? 

The MGC is a council of fraternities and sororities that are rooted in helping support and represent a variety of cultures and communities. 

The first multicultural sorority was Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc., which was established November 21, 1981, at Rutgers University. The founders of Mu Sigma Upsilon were driven to foster a community for women of all cultural backgrounds to feel represented and empowered. 

While both Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council organizations strive to create welcoming communities to help their members reach their goals, the history and traditions of the MGC are rooted in cultural inclusion.

Who can join an MGC?

The short answer? Anyone interested in being a part of Greek life. The long answer? It varies from chapter to chapter and person to person. Each chapter has its own expectations for their members, and each chapter has unique, defining traits that are up to the potential new members to learn more about. 

How can I join?

Unlike the more formal “rush” or “recruitment” process often portrayed in pop culture, MCG organizations typically recruit new members through an informal, relationship-based process. 

Those interested in joining can start by connecting with active members, attending open events, and getting to know the chapter’s culture. These interactions help both the potential new member — and the chapter — determine if it’s the right fit.

More information about joining can be found on the DePaul Student Affairs Website.

Cultures and Traditions

While each chapter at DePaul is unique, many share customs that reflect their cultural foundations and community spirit. Here are a few of the traditions and practices you might encounter:

Strolling: In the MGC a major part of the culture is strolling (also known as stepping). Strolling derives from historically black Greek-letter organizations (The Divine Nine) and has strong roots in the representation of African culture. Strolling is a unified dance or sequence of steps, often performed in a line, with the purpose of showing unity among members of a chapter.

Crossing: The process of joining a MGC organization can be long and detail oriented, so for an incoming member, one of the most memorable experiences is their crossing ceremony. The crossing ceremony for an incoming member is their formal initiation into their chapter. It takes a lot of preparation to get to this point. Therefore, this is one of the most sought-after moments in a new member’s journey to becoming a fully initiated member.

Pledge/Crossover Names: One of the most special traditions for MGC chapters is giving each of their new members names. For Avendano, she is known in her chapter as “Tonantzin,” a name that has religious significance in Aztec history and that has been given to Avendano for her strong religious faith. 

“My name was very powerful, and I felt like I had to live up to it,” she said. 

In APsi these are known as “crossover names,” but the term may vary from chapter to chapter. In each organization, the process of a new member receiving their name also differs. For Avendano, her name was given to her by her P-mom, a term used by members when referring to their pledge moms. 

Pledge Moms & Dads: Pledge moms and pledge dads serve as mentors for incoming new members through the ins and outs of being in their chapter, and providing guidance in their personal life as well. These mentors often are older chapter members, or sometimes alumni who continue to serve their organization.

Greek life at DePaul is as diverse as the members within each chapter. More information about the Multicultural Greek Council can be found on their website. 

Header photo courtesy of Nazari Avendano of Alpha Psi Lambda