The University of Tennessee at Martin has a very diverse Greek life, with multiple organizations from the College Panhellenic Council (CPC), Interfraternity Council (IFC) and National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). Within UT Martin’s NPHC department, there is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes that many students and faculty members do not see. One person at the forefront of this is Hannah Bilger, a Mass Media and Strategic Communications graduate; she is the graduate assistant for Multicultural Affairs and also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Bilger describes her position as a graduate assistant: ”My role involves supporting and promoting diversity and inclusion on campus. In my day-to-day life, I handle tasks such as organizing events, engaging with students and contributing to the overall multicultural environment.”
Bilger goes on to explain the importance of building a connection with students and giving them someone to talk to about what events going on in their lives outside of classes. Bilger expresses that, “I am here to offer support, guidance and want to create inclusive spaces where students can contribute to their community. This, in turn, can enhance students’ overall well-being, academic success, and personal growth.”
Outside of her job-related duties, she believes in giving back to the community that she was brought up in. One way she gives back is through her sorority, and also by going out on her own to find opportunities for community service. She speaks about her sorority by saying, ”Being a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated has impacted my life tremendously. The sorority emphasizes sisterhood, scholarship, service, and social action. My involvement has influenced my personal and professional growth. The connections and experiences that I have gained through my sorority have contributed to my leadership development and a lifelong commitment to service.” Bilger uses her sorority as a way to look back on the growth that she has accomplished throughout her short time within UT Martin and its surrounding community.
She has wanted to leave readers with a small look into her life outside of the large contributions that she makes at UT Martin, saying, ”Something that I would want people to know about me as a person would be that I am dedicated to multicultural affairs and to my community. I would also like people to know that I am big on community service. My family and I are the founders of UP Outreach, a non-profit organization that caters to the senior citizens during the holidays. I volunteer at Weakley County Prevention Coalition and I am a step coach for Westview High School, motivating, encouraging, and team building.” Hannah is a pillar of not only the NPHC department, but also very important to the city of Martin as a whole, and very committed to improving everything that she lays her hands on.
