COMM231 Feature Story and Storyboard

8/14/2019 COMM231 Feature Story and Storyboard

1/9

SEO: NPHC, UGC Advisor Marcus McRae inspires students

Uniting Organizations

UMD chapter advisor uses leadership to inspire Greek students

By: Liz King

Training for Leadership since 1911. This is the motto of the Kappa Alpha Psi

Fraternity that has driven the brotherhood between members for more than 100 years.

When Marcus McRae was initiated into the fraternity in the spring of 2000, he became

more than just a brother. He transformed into an advocate of diversity and developed a

passion for leadership that has stuck with him to this

day.

Now he is the Universitys chapter advisor for

on-campus fraternities and sororities in both the

National Pan-Hellenic Council and United Greek

Council. He works with 15 chapters to accomplish

expectations, establish goals, and enhance the value-

based experience of university students.

McRae works directly with students to

bridge the gap between ethnicity-based fraternities and students at the university.

I want to promote spiritual, social, intellectual, and moral welfare of our

members. I push them to create a bond not only with each other, but with every Maryland

student to show what it means to be part of their organizations, McRae said.

(more)

McRae in his office located in

the Stamp Student Union .

Photo by Liz King.


2/9

The experience he had as a brother of Kappa Alpha Psi in his undergraduate study

at Western Carolina shaped his future significantly and developed his passion for leading

by example.

Kappa Alpha Psi

A fraternity with a predominantly African-American membership.

Since its founding on January 5, 1911 at Indiana University, Kappa Alpha Psi has

grown to more than 150,000 members with 721 undergraduate and alumni chapters in

every state of the United States, and additionally in the United Kingdom, Germany,

Korea, Japan, Nigeria, and South Africa.

McRae immediately got involved in his

own chapter after joining in 2000. He became the

membership intake chair and proceeded to rise in

ranks and become the vice president, also known

as the pole mark. He then took a larger leadership

role at his university when he became the vice

president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council,

representing Kappa Alpha Psi as an executive board member. His involvement

throughout his collegiate years was a true testament to the bond he developed in this

value-based organization.

Being able to promote diversity and take leadership in a fraternity that is

historically black really connected me with my own heritage, McRae said.

(more)

More about Marcus McRae

Hometown: Lowesville, North

Carolina

Favorite Movie: The Usual

Suspects

Favorite Genre of Music: R&B

Favorite Color: Black

Favorite Quote: Dont let the

lid of limitations lock you out ofliving, learning, and loving life.


3/9

His experience within his own fraternity influenced him to shift his academic

career track and get his masters degree in college student personnel at Fayetteville State

University.

I needed to give back to Kappa Alpha Psi and all color based fraternities what it

gave to me. The leadership experience and pride I have in my organization completely

changed my life and I get great joy from working with students here, he said.

McRaes campus involvement

McRae constantly challenges the Greek leaders he works with to create

relationships with fraternities and sororities in other councils, as well as the general

student body on campus.

I challenge them to step outside of their comfort zone and initiate conversations

with people in other councils, explained McRae. My main objective is to unite college

men and women of honor and color.

The chapters in the National Pan-Hellenic Council tend to have smaller numbers

in their organizations than the Pan-Hellenic and Inter-Fraternity councils. McRae markets

this to the chapters he advises as an opportunity, being that they can each take on more

leadership responsibility within the organizations. Increasing numbers, as well as

increasing the presence and awareness of these organizations on campus are McRaes top

priorities as an advisor.

To help create awareness on

campus, McRae developed a monthly

newsletter called The Yardthat only

talks about National Pan-Hellenic Council chapters.

McRae createdThe Yard to keep the public updated.

Photo source: www.greek.umd.edu

(more)


4/9

Each issue includes an overview of the past month, events happening, a quote of

the month, and any new philanthropic or successful achievements of the organizations.

Increasing on-campus presence is extremely important to McRae and his co-workers.

Working with McRae

McRaes university job requires him to meet with individuals from each of the 15

chapters under his advising department. He leads with the belief that the fundamental

purpose is achievement through every field of human endeavor and reminds his students

of this constantly.

Christopher Grant, president of the National Pan-

Hellenic Council, works directly with McRae on a daily basis.

His passion for our organizations is contagious, Grant said.

Co-worker Corin Gioia, the assistant director of programming

and advising at the Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life

shares the same appreciation of McRae.

He inspires a shared vision amongst the department to

help these students make a difference in their lives. He is proof

of how life changing it is to be a leader.

Marcus McRae truly embodies what it means to be Greek. Since the Fall of 2012

he has been marketing the National Pan-Hellenic and United Greek Councils at the

University. His constant support and development of the chapters makes him an asset to

everyone able to work with him. As for the future, he is in no rush to leave the present.

Im just trying to make a difference while I can.

Corin Gioia works closely

with McRae to foster

positive relationships in the

Greek community.Photo source:

www.greek.umd.edu

###


5/9

Liz King

SEO: University of Maryland Step Show

Dance-off

Greek students host step show

By: Elizabeth King

Taking it back to the Old School it read on the

fliers. The theme was simple. The crowd was sold out. The

stars were ready to shine.

Brought to you for the first time since 2009 was the

University of Maryland National Pan-Hellenic Councils

Greek Step Show. Filled with flavorful live performances,

this step show was hosted on Saturday, April 20 in our very

own Stamp Student Union.

Each organization that stepped had to incorporate the

dance moves of a previous era to fit the theme. The event was

put together by Marcus McRae, the NPHC on-campus advisor at the University, and the

executive board of the NPHC council. It is held to bring together individuals who may

not know about the dance traditions

founded in these cultural

organizations.

For example, as a brother of

Kappa Alpha Psi, McRae used the

Kappa Kane as a prop that his

organization uses in step shows.

Fliers were circulated throughout

the Maryland community.

Photo source: The Yard

newsletter

Students use step shows to communicate.

Photo source: The Yard newsletter

(more)


6/9

The purpose of the show is to battle between fellow organizations in a friendly,

competitive spirit while still interacting with students who may not know much about

these organizations. McRae called the event a huge success as he touched upon the

packed crowd.

For More Information

Intrigued? For more information about upcoming events put on by Marcus McRae

and NPHC keep an eye out for new issues of The Yardand follow @UMD_DST or

@UMD_GreekTerps on Twitter!

###


7/9

Storyboard: Marcus McRae

Home page: Marcus McRaes life and

professional career as a chapter advisor

Links to:Leadership opportunities atMaryland, Leadership tools, UMD

Department of Fraternity and Sorority Life,

Timeline of Marcuss life

Leadership opportunities at UMD

Many students at UMD hold leadershippositions or want to get more involved in

organizations. By having this link I would be

able to aid them in all of the networking thatcan be done in taking a leadership position. I

felt that this was very important being the

President of an 145 women sorority on-

campus.

www.thestamp.umd.edu/student_involvemen

is an amazing source for opportunities.

Leadership tools

Connecting with the previous link, there are

actual tools and workshops that UMD has to

develop leadership skills. This would look

into the minor in leadership studies as well.


8/9

UMD Department of Fraternity and

Sorority Life

The DFSL website is a huge asset to

anyone interested in learning more about

Greek Life or contacting a staff member.It also keeps up- to-date information

about events to make sure that the public

is informed.

- Inspiring a Shared Vision

(more)


9/9

Timeline of Marcus Life

-Becomes a brother of Kappa Alpha Psi

in 2000- Becomes Vice President for his

organization in 2001- Is on the NPHC executive board in 2002- Gets his masters degree in college

student personnel from Fayettville State

University- Joins DFSL in the fall of 2012

Documents

COMM231 Feature Story and Storyboard