As Erin McHale, senior in child, adult and family services, entered her senior year of college, she had her sights set on graduating and most likely going to graduate school. In the back of her mind, though, there was a chance she would continue working for her sorority, Gamma Phi Beta, as a leadership consultant, a position she had eyed.

McHale had applied for graduate programs in case the position did not pan out.

“I would have been happy to go that route if need be, but I’m very happy this turned out positively for me,” McHale said.

Leadership consultants serve as liaisons for collegiate sorority chapters, and they work with international headquarters and collegiate chapters in order to ensure chapters are becoming or staying strong. The position is selective and often very competitive. Recently, McHale was chosen to serve as a leadership consultant for Gamma Phi Beta.

“During this position, she will provide leadership and training, assist chapters in self-assessment, hold workshops and help the chapter grown in aspects of sorority life,” said Kayla Toale, junior in kinesiology and health and the current president of Iowa State’s Gamma Phi Beta.

McHale decided to apply to become a leadership consultant in order to give back to her sorority.

“I want to give back to Gamma Phi for what she has given me. I hope to inspire others as I have been inspired and helped with past leadership consultants,” McHale said.

Several of her advisers and mentors had served as leadership consultants; McHale became interested in the position after seeing how others had grown.

McHale was selected after meeting several qualifications. Important traits were the ability to work with and always be a positive representation of Gamma Phi Beta, McHale said.

The application process started in early February.

McHale had to submit several essays and letters of recommendation. Later, she was notified that she had an interview in Dallas. There were just eight spots to fill and 20 women were interviewed.

After a weekend full of interviews and presentations, selections were made.

“It was tough [hearing who was selected] because a lot of us bonded. It was bittersweet when hearing who received the spots,” McHale said.

During the course of her position, she will be traveling. Living independently and traveling from chapter to chapter can be difficult for some, but McHale is up for the challenge.

“The ability to stay positive and motivated is very important. It’s also important to be able to relate with the collegians and just to be real with chapter members,” McHale said.

She credits her success at Iowa State for being prepared for the position.

“Erin has held multiple positions in Gamma Phi and the Panhellenic community while at Iowa State. Holding all of these positions have made her an extremely well-rounded person and leader. She is very respected in the greek community and is often described as an approachable, loving, energetic and strong woman,” Toale said.

McHale has served as a role model for her chapter since she joined Gamma Phi in 2007.

“She is always willing to help and she could talk with any member of the sorority. She is the type of role model girls aspire to be. It will be hard to see her graduate,” Toale said.

Although McHale will be missed from the Gamma Phi Beta chapter at Iowa State, she said she will continue to impact others, but maintain her relationships.

“It will be my main group of people I stay in contact with. It will also be my support for day in and day out challenges,” McHale said.

Eventually, McHale would like to work in student affairs. She hopes the leadership consultant position will help her get there.

“It will teach me how to work under stressful conditions, so I think that is a benefit for a future in student affairs,” McHale said.

McHale has agreed to serve on the position for one year, but some consultants decide to serve for a second year. There are eight geographic regions Gamma Phi is in, but consultants are not assigned a specific region. They travel to chapters that a coordinator schedules for them.

McHale will officially start her position in June at Gamma Phi Beta’s sorority convention in Denver.