Leadership Highlight

Leadership Highlight: Valena Del Valle the President of Sigma Gamma Rho at The University of Bridgeport

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 women of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc.’s Rho Alpha Chapter at the University of Bridgeport and did an interview with Valena Del Valle the president of the chapter.

The position of president of an undergraduate chapter of a Black sorority is a highly respected role and there is a special pride that one takes. 20-year-old Valena Del Valle has used the position to gain new leadership experience, improve the lives of other students on campus and help the community around her.

We interviewed the Community Health major and talked about her 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?
Being a chapter president means you are the face of the chapter. You are responsible, organized, trust-worthy and a great decision maker. You do what’s best for yourself and your chapter.

What made you decide to attend the University of Bridgeport for undergrad?
I decided to attend the University of Bridgeport because they gave me the best scholarship offers, compared to other schoolsI applied to. They also have a very diverse campus.

What specific initiatives is your chapter heading up this year and how do you think they will improve the campus/surrounding community?
Rho Alpha intends to improve self representation for women on our campus, more efforts to get involved with the local community and of course, having fun after everyone rocks their finals.

What made you want to pledge Sigma Gamma Rho?
The chapter on my campus always had programs. I was always in my books as a freshman, so when I did want to escape from work I’d always see their flyers, as well as other organizations/clubs. They were very welcoming and you could easily bond with any of the women because of their laid-back personalities. They didn’t make every conversation about greek life, which was a major plus for me. Of course after learning about SGRho, and doing research on other organizations, I resonated with what they stand for and the national programs they execute annually.

What is it about your specific chapter that makes it so unique?
The diversity in my chapter is what makes it so unique. A lot of my sisters are from New York, even though it’s a Connecticut chapter. Different hometowns, ethnicities, religion, and personalities make up the chapter. There are women in different career paths as well, which makes it cool as well because you never know when any of your sisters can be of great help.

What does leadership mean to you?
Leadership means taking on roles with big responsibilities that might test your skills and weaknesses. It doesn’t necessarily mean being in control but, more so, it means being that source of guidance for others.

Why do you think Watch The Yard is important to Black greekdom?
I think it’s important because this platform is used to showcase great things about Black greek letter organizations, despite the bad news that’s out there. It’s always nice to be recognized for positive things.

What does sisterhood mean to you?
It means to have a family, whether you’re blood related or not. Having people you confide in with every and anything, or even people you can simply talk to. Within true brotherhood/sisterhood, no one feels left out, not wanted or as if they don’t belong.

What do you plan on doing after graduation?
I plan to further my education in the health field and let my interests lead me to a job I really enjoy. Happiness is key, so I plan on making money, staying educated and being happy.

We at Watch The Yard would like to commend Valena Del Valle for her work as the president of Rho Alpha Chapter which has a legacy that spans back to 2006.