Sigma Theta Psi welcomes all

Multicultural sorority aims to connect to USD community through its philanthropy

Catherine Silvey / Feature Editor / The USD Vista
Mayella Vasquez / Asst. Feature Editor / The USD Vista

While Toreros may be aware of the social fraternities and sororities active at the University of San Diego, some do not know about the cultural interest fraternities and sororities present on this campus. Three groups — Alpha Pi Sigma, Nu Alpha Kappa, and Sigma Theta Psi (STP) — make up the Fraternity and Sorority Multicultural Council. According to their joint mission statement, the three groups work to promote inclusion and celebrate diversity on campus.

While Alpha Pi Sigma and Nu Alpha Kappa are both Latinx fraternal organizations, STP is a multicultural sorority, meaning that it represents sisters of many different cultural backgrounds. 

Monique Lopez, a member of STP, expressed that the bigger sororities and fraternities often receive more attention and are more widely known by the campus community than multicultural organizations. However, Lopez asserted that the multicultural organizations have something unique and special to offer interested students.

“I think that at USD we typically see the big sororities,” Lopez said. “Our sorority encompasses the culture that is already there.”

Much like Greek social organizations, multicultural sororities and fraternities often help their local communities by selecting a cause as their group’s philanthropy. As the Philanthropy Chair of STP, Lopez shared that her sorority’s philanthropy is centered around breast cancer awareness. 

“My favorite part of being in Sigma Theta Psi is the impact I have on its growth and how I’m getting to expand its involvement with our philanthropy — breast cancer awareness,” Lopez said. “Because we are a smaller organization, it’s hard for us to do all that we want to do. But my mission with STP is to spread breast cancer awareness to the USD populace. This is a cause I feel strongly about and something my family taught me to value, therefore I want it to have a resonance at USD.”

By holding events each semester such as Think Pink during the fall, Lopez noted that another goal of such events is to form a deeper connection with students and faculty.

“My favorite memory of being in STP was at Think Pink, a social we throw to fundraise and raise awareness for breast cancer,” Lopez said. “The day before the event, I had gotten an email from our usual guest speaker saying she couldn’t make it to the event. I was freaking out. I didn’t know anyone else in San Diego who could talk about breast cancer on such short notice. My co-worker pointed out an SLP worker she knew named Elsa. Elsa is a breast cancer survivor and when I got in communication with her she was thrilled to be able to share her story.”

Lopez expressed that this unexpected turn of events made her recognize the impact STP was capable of, and deepened her passion for her sorority’s philanthropy.

“It was the first time Elsa had ever told her story aloud,” Lopez said. “Hearing her story was inspiring and I have never been more proud of what Think Pink could do. Think Pink gave Elsa a chance to speak up on her personal pains and triumphs and I’m so honored to know this amazing woman and her story.”

Lopez emphasized that alongside the fulfillment she has found leading her sorority’s philanthropic pursuits, she and her fellow sisters have created a place of belonging in STP.

“I found my home with my sisters,” Lopez said. “I can relate to their experiences, I can help them in any way that they need me to, and in the same manner they can help me with all the issues that arise from being in college.”

STP continues to work toward building awareness and exposure at USD, hoping to grow and give more students a place to feel welcomed and included each year.