Kappas

Leadership Highlight: Elijah Hawkins The Undergraduate President of Kappa Alpha Psi at Mercer 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 Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.’s Theta Pi Chapter at Mercer University and did an interview with Elijah Hawkins the president of the chapter.

The position of president of an undergraduate chapter of a Black fraternity is a highly respected role and there is a special pride that one takes. 20-year-old Elijah Hawkins 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 Biology & Women’s and Gender Studies double 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 made you decide to attend Mercer University for undergrad?
The university granted me scholarships that would assist in some of the tuition costs.

What specific initiatives is your chapter heading up this year and how do you think they will improve the campus/surrounding community?
We have really been focused on mental health in the African American community by hosting programs that address and discuss the issue. Our programs allow students to become informed and aware while also serving as a safe place for dialog.

What made you want to pledge Kappa Alpha Psi?
Who don’t want to be the Nupes?!

What is it about your specific chapter that makes it so unique?
The fact that the charter is on a PWI causes our number of members to intensely fluctuate from semester to semester, yet the Theta Pi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. remains closely knit. Bruhs who have achieved and graduated are always lending a helping hand to assist the chapter and its efforts.

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?
I believe they should create pages on their college/university website and keep them updated regularly. Also having links to chapter websites on their respective National websites could increase web traffic. They can have their own social media accounts and post regularly to inform the public about the events and programs they are conducting.

What does leadership mean to you?
Leadership to me is mostly being an exemplary example of any appointed position so that those who are watching you learn from you causing them to elevate and surpass you by reaching new heights.

Why do you think Watch The Yard is important to Black greekdom?
Because it allows other yards to witness the impacts Black Greek Organizations have on their respective campuses and communities, and that recognition can motivate different initiatives.

What does brotherhood mean to you?
Brotherhood is an altruistic bond between guys who have share commonalities and are on the same accord.

What do you plan on doing after graduation?
I plan on attending medical school and becoming a obstetrician and gynecologist. And once established in my career, I plan on joining an alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

We at Watch The Yard would like to commend Elijah Hawkins for his work as the president of Theta Pi Chapter which has a long legacy that spans back to 1976.