Sophia Zhang - President | Pledged Spring 23

Hello everyone! My name is Sophia Zhang, and I am honored to serve as the current President of Alpha Phi Omega. This letter gives you a look into what makes our chapter, Eta Alpha, at Santa Clara University, so remarkable.

Alpha Phi Omega is a professional coeducational service fraternity that centers around the cardinal principles of Leadership, Friendship, and Service. These principles are the heart of everything we do, shaping our experiences as students and preparing us for life beyond college.

In Leadership, our chapter offers a wide range of leadership opportunities, from professional workshops that guide members in their career journeys to skill-building sessions exploring new interests, from sports to the arts. We believe leadership is not one-size-fits-all. It is a personal journey, and we empower our brothers to discover and define leadership in their own unique ways.

In Friendship, our chapter organizes events that range from chapter-wide activities to smaller group interactions to initiate more intimate connections between brothers. We aim to create a community where everyone can be unapologetically themselves, offering a safe space for students through both fun activities and meaningful discussions. Eta Alpha prides itself on our ability to create a strong brotherhood that produces life-long relationships within.

In Service, our chapter shares the main fundamental principle with all Alpha Phi Omega chapters, which our fraternity is based on. We categorize our community service events into four divisions. Service to the community, often partnering with external local organizations to give back to the Santa Clara/San Jose Area and those in need. Service to the nation involves larger social issues that apply nationally and globally. Service to the campus, serving the students and faculty that reside within the Santa Clara University community. As well as service to the chapter, helping one another as brothers of this fraternity. These four categories are all opportunities for us to give back to those around us and appreciate the positions of privilege we are in to do so.

Leadership, Friendship, and Service are all core principles that can lead us throughout our lives, no matter where we are. Alpha Phi Omega is a space where you can give back while gaining invaluable life experiences. 

Reflecting on my journey, I can say with confidence that joining Alpha Phi Omega has shaped me into the person I am today and has been one of the best decisions I have made. It gave me a home on campus, a platform to grow, and a community that shared the same values as me. Through leadership roles, I have learned to communicate, inspire, and support others. From our service events, I have seen the impact of collective effort, and through friendship, I have built connections with people I never imagined meeting, people who have become my closest friends. 

These connections are more than just memories; they are bonds I will carry with me for a lifetime. I have seen shy individuals become confident speakers and leaders, uncertain students find their passions, and I have grown alongside them. Alpha Phi Omega gave me a platform to learn, lead, and belong, and I hope it can do the same for you. 

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our chapter. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please feel free to reach out.

In LFS,

Sophia Zhang

President of Alpha Phi Omega

Steven K. Yoshimoto Spring ‘23

president.etaalpha.scu@gmail.com