Graduate Program

College Student Affairs

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

Spring 2020

Thesis Director

Heather K. Webb

Thesis Committee Member

Nathan J. Wehr

Thesis Committee Member

Jeremy D. Alexander

Abstract

Each year more and more women across the country are enrolling in higher education institutions. However, this increase in attendance is not reflected in sorority recruitment. Studies are either non-existent on why women are joining sororities, or the studies that are conducted focus on harm reduction, including alcohol and hazing. Studies also seem to focus more on men, and fraternities. This study was designed to focus on the experience that women are experiencing during recruitment and the reasoning for joining their respective chapters. Using a qualitative approach, the researcher interviewed six women who varied in race, year in school, and analyzed the data for common themes. All six of the participants were women who joined a chapter after formal recruitment in the Fall of 2019. Results varied from the participants in a social sorority at a Mid-Western university. Participants expressed that sense of belonging was the one of the major indicators for not only going through recruitment but deciding to join a chapter. Other major themes for the women deciding to join a sorority were academic performance, philanthropies, professionalism and personal growth.

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