Iotas

Leadership Highlight: Anthony Soriano The President of Iota Phi Theta at Saint Augustine’s University

In an effort to highlight the young leaders who are leading undergraduate chapters across the nation, we at Watch The Yard reached out to the brothers of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc.’s Theta Phi Chapter at St. Augustine’s University and did an interview with Anthony Soriano the president of the chapter.

The position of Polaris (president) of an undergraduate chapter of a Black fraternity is a highly respected role and there is a special pride that one takes. 22-year-old Anthony Soriano has used the position to gain new leadership experience, improve the lives of other students on campus and help the community around him.

We interviewed the Engineering major and talked about his position, goals, future and what it means to hold a leadership position on campus in the digital age.

Read the full interview below.

What does it mean to be a chapter president to you?
To be Polaris of a chapter is to be a leader for my fellow brothers and an example of all of Iota’s principles. I must lead my fellow peers and show them the way to be successful in all aspects of life as much as I possibly can. Also being a voice of reason and guidance for all of those around me.

What made you decide to attend St. Augustine’s University for undergrad?
I attend St. Aug on a Full Athletic Scholarship for Track & Field

What specific initiatives is your chapter heading up this year and how do you think they will improve the campus/surrounding community?
We are looking to continue to spread the ideas of Iota around the area. We are currently on a team of brother to help reactivate certain chapters in the surrounding areas. We aspire to maintain our Undergraduate w of the year status within the state for my organization.

What made you want to pledge Iota Phi Theta?
I pledged Iota for its differences from every other org. As a Native American attending an HBCU, I am also very different than the majority of the population at my school. Iota was looking for that 1% difference of people who can think and see things in a different way. My background makes me very different than anyone else here and Iotas differences in the D-9 coincided with my differences in my school.

What is it about your specific chapter that makes it so unique?
We are a very diverse chapter. Brothers are from all over and are different races and hold very different identities unique to ourselves.

We now live in a digital world, what do you think undergraduate chapters across all orgs need to do to represent themselves online in 2018?
Always document all work done with pictures and videos to refer to. Also continue to reach out on various platforms. All of the D-9 at my HBCU do a great job of this.

What does leadership mean to you?
Like I said earlier, I must lead my fellow peers and show them the way to be successful in all aspects of life as much as I possibly can. Also being a voice of reason and guidance for all of those around me.

Why do you think Watch The Yard is important to Black greekdom?
Watch the Yard is important because it shows all aspects of Greek life for Black Greekdom and it goes in depth with a lot of things and keeps propel informed.

What does brotherhood mean to you?
Brotherhood means always being able to be real with our members & to always do whatever you can do within your own power to provide aid and guidance for your fellow men.

What do you plan on doing after graduation?
I plan on getting a job within my field of study, specifically in the design aspect of engineering. I’ve already been apart of a number of projects and have great jobs in my field; with my degree and amount of experience I hope to find a good job and begin my professional life. Also I wish to attend graduate school.

We at Watch The Yard would like to commend Anthony Soriano for his work as the president of Theta Phi Chapter which has a legacy that recently began in 2016.