This is the first in a four-part series about female leaders on campus. Tomorrow’s profile spotlights Abby Hansen, president of the ISU Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance.

The Panhellenic Council president, a leader of more than 1,000 ISU women in the greek community, never intended to join a sorority when she came to college.

Kelly Koeppel, a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority, said she became involved in her sorority after coming to Iowa State and realizing she wanted to find a way to meet more women on campus.

“I knew two people when I came here, and they were both guys,” said Koeppel, senior in child and family services. “I was nervous being five hours away from home and not having any friends here.”

Koeppel came to Ames from Batavia, Ill., a suburb of Chicago.

“I never thought I would be the president of the Panhellenic Council when I first came to school,” she said. “After joining my sorority, I quickly learned that I was happy I joined.”

The ability to network easily within the greek community and meet new people was a benefit to Koeppel when she joined Pi Beta Phi, she said.

Koeppel spent last year as the director of special projects and served on the executive board for sororities. That led to her position this year as the president of the Panhellenic Council, a governing council for sororities.

The Panhellenic Council partners with the Interfraternity Council, a governing council for fraternities.

“We are in charge of the recruiting process, community service projects, philanthropy projects, the new-member forum and scholarship recommendations,” Koeppel said.

As the president, Koeppel said, she meets every other week with presidents of each sorority to discuss problems or upcoming events in the sororities.

“I enjoy seeing women from all different chapters work together to make our community better,” she said.

During Women’s Week 2001, Koeppel said the sororities will be participating in different activities to build unity and recognition between the women of the greek community.

“Friday, I know we will encourage all the women of each chapter to wear their letters,” she said.

Koeppel said in past years, the sororities have celebrated Women’s Week by having speakers come into each chapter and discuss various topics relating to women.

“Our sorority will be having an educational program Thursday night dealing with women’s issues,” she said.

This summer, Koeppel will be spending her time as a Cyclone Aide Adviser.

In the past, she has spent the summer as an orientation counselor.

In January, she said she will be applying to be a consultant for her sorority.

“It will give me the opportunity to travel around before deciding on a place to settle for a job,” Koeppel said.

“That’s not to say that I will be chosen, but it would be a great experience.”