With over 30% of undergraduate students at Vanderbilt participating in some sort of Greek life, it is impossible to deny the significance that these organizations hold on campus. Whether it be for community, volunteer opportunities, social life or several other reasons, many students choose to join the Greek organizations that resonate most with them and their values. However, when you can’t find a space that resonates with you, it’s your sign to create your own. Enter Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc., whose charter class did just that and, in the fall of 2024, became Vanderbilt’s only Latina-founded sorority.  

With the groundwork to charter the chapter beginning all the way back in 2024, KDChi’s arrival on campus has been no small order. After interviewing a few students from this charter class, it was revealed that there was much to be learned about both the organization and its members’ motivations for bringing it to Vanderbilt. The national organization’s founding values of unity, honesty, integrity and leadership struck a chord with several members. It was immediately clear that personal alignment with these values played a large part in the decision to join.  

“For unity, we’ve been here since the beginning. We’ve always had each other’s backs, whether we’re struggling or had to come together and figure [something] out,” said junior Daisy Mata, who currently serves as the prospective chapter’s president.  

“I think all of us really value being leaders, and kind of everyone in a way is a leader,” junior and Vice President Sara Rodriguez said.  

Additionally, finding community also proved to be a big factor in creating rather than joining a sorority at Vanderbilt. KDChi is a historically Latina sorority, and much of its work is focused on serving and impacting Latino communities. Both Mata and Rodriguez emphasized how this has helped them form a community with people of similar cultural roots and feel like they belong.  

“Most of our sisters have cultural roots to Latin America. We’re so immersed in our cultures, and we’re able to share that with each other,” said Mata. “Even though we may have certain similarities by being Latinas, that also doesn’t mean we can’t share other parts of our culture, which I think is really cool because I’m always learning more.”  

It is evident that for Mata, KDChi has provided a comfortable space on campus to celebrate her heritage. However, as Rodriguez explained, this community even extends beyond the Vanderbilt bubble. 

“I think working with the kids [through community service] and just connecting with the Latino families within Nashville hit me to my core, especially because, at that time, I was super homesick,” said Rodriguez. “Seeing Hispanic families within the area and speaking Spanish again was just really heartwarming.” 

This community service that Rodriguez mentioned is a big part of KDChi’s work in the Nashville area. The members highlighted some of their past service projects, which include volunteering with The Aloe Family, a local community organization, and hosting an on-campus blood drive alongside a few other student organizations.  

That being said, another part of KDChi’s mission is to offer professional support and development to its members. Though this remains somewhat unchartered territory for the prospective chapter since they are new to the organization, its sisters expressed excitement about diving in.  

“There’s a lot of great resources within our organization. If you want to find out more about a career path, there’s sisters who work there. I know Sara [Rodriguez], her big works at Eli Lilly, and Sara’s also interested in medicine, so she’s able to connect with her and ask her questions,” Mata said. “The sisters want to uplift and support, so they’ll also share opportunities with you that they know about. It goes beyond just connections.”  

Yet, the most striking moment during the interviews came when members described how  KDChi fostered not only professional growth but also profound personal growth.  

“With this organization, you can’t do everything yourself. You’re going to butt heads, and you’re going to have disagreements,” Rodriguez said. “But I think being able to give each other grace and give each other credit too is somewhere I’ve grown.” 

“I was very soft spoken coming to college. It helped me break out. I found myself more often stepping up and speaking about what’s on my mind,” said Mata. 

Although joining — or in KDChi’s case, creating — a Greek organization can seem intimidating, Mata and Rodriguez closed their interviews with a few words of advice. Both sisters emphasized the importance of staying true to yourself throughout the rush process.  

“I think it’s really important to come into this process just being your authentic self, not trying to come up with some kind of script for ‘this is who I am.’ We’re all very accepting of anyone who wants to join,” Rodriguez said.  

“I think being your most genuine self is the biggest thing,” Mata said. “That’s the person we want to build a sisterhood with, not someone that’s going to change the next day.” 

While unable to give away too many details at this time, the prospective chapter revealed that they have big plans in store for their first full semester on campus and are excited to get involved in the Greek life community. Being the first initiates into the chapter harbors its own unique set of challenges; however, it also presents the opportunity to create a brand-new legacy. KDChi says they’re ready to face this challenge and leave their mark on campus for years to come.