As the current Sports Editor for her University’s newspaper, Mia Messina (Saint Joseph’s University ‘22) knows a thing or two about navigating the world of sports journalism as a woman. In February, she was recognized with a first-place Keystone Media Award for her story “Evening the Score: College Women Making Strides in Sports Journalism.” 

Messina’s article began as a class assignment. She and her peers were tasked to write a trend piece and chose to write on a matter close to her heart. Messina turned to the topic of women in sports journalism.

Throughout her writing process, Messina spoke with former female sports editors of The Hawk, the student-run newspaper at Saint Joseph’s University. Many have pursued sports journalism as their career, and many shared an experience familiar to Messina – that of being the only woman in the room in a male-dominated field. 

“I have had experiences where I am the only woman in the room, and I wanted to bring light to other women’s similar experiences,” Messina shares. “I believe college women are beginning to break through and that deserves to be celebrated and written about.” 

The story sheds light on the challenges women in sports journalism oftentimes experience but also highlights the power of the women who are pursuing their passion despite the obstacles along the way. 

“A lot of women question their skill set or if they’re deserving of the opportunities they have been given. I fall victim to it myself, but in order to continue to grow and move forward we need to overcome this mindset,” Messina says. “I was always super proud of this story because of how much work I put into it and how much it meant to me; however, for that work to be recognized by others was such an amazing feeling.”

Outside of the newsroom, Messina is a dedicated Member of the Zeta Iota Chapter of Phi Sigma Pi. She has held the position of Historian since her Sophomore year and credits her experience as a leader in the Chapter for her growth throughout college.

“As an Initiate, I grew much closer to my class, and so many of my friendships now result from that,” Messina says. “My experience as a Member has allowed me to be a more well-rounded person, growing in all three areas of the Tripod: scholarship, fellowship, and leadership. My experience has been invlauable and has helped shape me into who I am today.”

Check out Messina’s award-winning piece, “Evening the Score: College Women Making Strides in Sports Journalism” here. 

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As a growing number of Americans continue to live in poverty, one Phi Sigma Pi Member is making a difference in the lives of those in need. Walls of Love, founded by Holly Jackson (Cleveland State University ‘10) has become a symbol of hope and solidarity for countless individuals across the nation.

In 2018, Jackson embarked on a mission to make a difference in the lives of her community by placing essential items, like toiletries and winter gear, on walls in areas of poverty. What started as a labor of love quickly gained attention when the news of her initiative went viral and allowed Walls of Love to become a nationwide effort. 

The story behind Walls of Love is deeply personal for Jackson, who was once unhoused while pregnant after leaving a situation of domestic violence. Despite facing immense challenges, Holly persevered, eventually finding her way to a safer and better life. It was this journey that fueled her desire to help others facing similar struggles.

“I have lived this life. I was seven months pregnant with my oldest daughter and homeless because I left the situation,” Holly says. “People can be very judgmental because they don’t know your situation.”

Walls of Love operates solely on donations and the support of volunteers, with 100% of proceeds going directly to impact individuals in need. Holly’s unwavering commitment to helping others and her tireless efforts have made a profound impact, with Walls of Love having assisted over one million people through 3,086 Walls of Love in 30 different states since its founding. 

Later this year, Jackson is celebrating a milestone and looking to how Walls of Love can make its greatest impact yet. 

“November 2, 2024 is going to be our sixth anniversary. We are looking to do 100 Walls of Love the same day across the whole US,” Holly shared. 

For those inspired to get involved, there are various ways to support Walls of Love. Volunteers can sign up on the organization’s website, suggest locations for new walls, or donate directly through multiple platforms. Additionally, businesses have the opportunity to sponsor walls or contribute items for donation.

Jackson says she is grateful for the support received and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those in need.

Walls of Love stands as a testament to the power of love, compassion, and community. Through acts of kindness and generosity, Holly Jackson and the Walls of Love continue to spread hope and inspire change, one wall at a time.

Learn more about Walls of Love and how you can get involved here. 

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Adira Abdullah (UNC Charlotte ‘22) is as well-rounded and hard-working as students come. A dedicated scholar pursuing double majors, leader in multiple student organizations, and an involved community member, Abdullah recently added another accolade to her list of achievements. She now presides over the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) as Second Vice President.

Abdullah, a Member of both Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and Phi Sigma Pi, has been preparing for this moment. Now serving on a national scale, Abdullah’s efforts are going far beyond her local and regional involvement. In her role as Second Vice President on the National Executive Board of Directors for the NPHC, her leadership now extends to over 1.5 million lifetime members of fraternities and sororities worldwide.  

The NPHC, founded in 1930 at Howard University, governs nine historically African American Greek organizations known as the “Divine Nine.” The fraternities and sororities were founded out of a need for access to Greek Life for students who were being denied the rights and privileges awarded to white students. Abdullah’s introduction to the Divine Nine came before she stepped foot on her college campus: her mother is a Member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., and her father is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

“It is truly an honor and blessing to hold such a significant national role,” Abdullah says. “Whether it involves implementing innovative programs, fostering a sense of unity among members, or leading initiatives that align with NPHC’s values, I am eager to contribute to the overall success and well-being of sisterhood and brotherhood.”

As an undergraduate, Abdullah brings a fresh perspective to her position, focusing on implementing innovative ideas and fostering collaboration at the undergraduate level. Her dedication to community service and making a positive impact resonates with the values of all NPHC organizations.

Abdullah currently also serves as the Northeastern Region Youth Services Coordinator for Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing regional youth programs and assisting undergraduate members by providing workshops, conferences, and trainings to ensure their success on their campuses. Abdullah’s national position qualifies her as the highest-ranked undergraduate member across all NPHC organizations. 

Within Phi Sigma Pi, Abdullah has served on the Eta Xi Chapter’s diversity committee and played a vital role in reviewing and revising the Chapter’s bylaws. In addition to the leadership experience she’s gained, she has met several of her closest friends through the organization, whom she describes as her “biggest motivators.” 

“My experience with Phi Sigma Pi has been nothing short of exceptional. Within the fraternity, I have made meaningful connections and established lasting friendships,” Abdullah said. “Phi Sigma Pi has provided me with a platform to engage with a diverse group of incredibly intelligent individuals who share a commitment to academic excellence.”

As an engaged student and member of her campus community, Abdullah has become a pro at effectively managing her time and alleviating stress while remaining committed to multiple organizations. She has found that allocating specific days for dedicated focus on one or two activities or organizations each week has been instrumental in achieving balance. She has also incorporated a designated “me day” every week to prioritize self-care, which has proven effective in stress management.

“By intentionally refraining from classes or work on Fridays, with the exception of an occasional meeting, I prioritize personal well-being,” she says. “This intentional break allows me to engage in activities that bring me joy and spend quality time with loved ones.”

Abdullah is excited about the opportunity to make a meaningful impact and enact positive change in her new role. Her ultimate goal is to attend law school and become a criminal defense and police misconduct attorney, representing underrepresented minority groups and advocating for a more equitable and just society.

Learn more about the National Pan-Hellenic Council here. 

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As a sophomore at Penn State University, Natalie has already made her mark on campus and within her Phi Sigma Pi Chapter. She is a biobehavioral health major and plans to work in global health after graduating. Natalie is passionate about communication – particularly within healthcare – and finding the best ways to communicate exciting and important ideas to the public. That passion led her to her current involvement in TEDxPSU. 

“My freshman year, I came to Penn State and I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do…I was kind of in the beginning stages of joining every club I could find and then seeing what stuck,” Natalie said. “I’ve been watching TED Talks since I was a kid, and I think it’s a really cool way to share ideas that people need to hear.” 

TEDxPSU is Penn State’s annual student-run TEDx conference. The organization uses the TEDx stage to showcase the ideas, experiences, and research of Penn State students, faculty, and alumni, and to bring in speakers from outside of the Penn State community to share perspectives and experiences from their corners of the world.

When Natalie discovered the organization, the TEDxPSU team had already been selected, but she took a chance on reaching out. She was able to shadow a consultant until someone left the team, and then secured her spot working with her first TEDx Penn State speaker. 

During her freshman year, Natalie worked closely with Dr. Michael Middlebrooks, an invertebrate zoologist working at the University of Tampa. Together, they crafted his TEDxPSU Talk, “Slug Life: How Sea Slugs Went Solar”, which dove into his groundbreaking research into sea slugs that can photosynthesize.

“By the time of the conference, I was absolutely hooked on TEDxPSU,” Natalie says. 

This year, Natalie was able to work with civilian astronaut Renee Frohnert. The pair met for months in preparation for the February 2023 TEDxPSU Conference, creating her talk, “The Spacesuit Effect”. Renee shared her story as a woman in STEM, and how she gained the confidence to thrive in a male-dominated industry. 

As a woman in STEM herself, Natalie quickly connected with Renee.

“We talked almost every day for six months about this, and I had so much fun with her,” Natalie says. “Basically, my job was to take her idea and her story and turn it into a TED Talk. It was an incredibly rewarding experience.” 

Renee’s TED Talk detailed her own experience as a Penn State student. As a first-semester freshman, her grades slipped as she struggled to find her place as one of the few women in her electrical engineering program. After being placed on academic probation and almost watching her dreams slip away, she persevered, secured three internships prior to graduating, and earned her spot on the Dean’s List for the first time as a senior. In 2023, she’s heading to space for the first time. 

As a conference consultant, Natalie met with her speaker weekly to develop the TED Talk, working through each aspect from the main points and theme to the flow and delivery. Conference consultants can also provide unique insight into what the audience, many of them being fellow students, will be most interested in. 

The February 2023 conference brought Natalie and Renee together for the first time in person. With Natalie at Penn State and Renee living in California, their work up until the event was over Zoom. At the conference, Natalie was able to experience her months of collaborative work come to fruition as she watched Renee’s talk from backstage.

“It was incredible. It’s an event where you truly feel all of your hard work paid off at that moment,” Natalie says. “To see her on stage feeling confident and telling her story with such passion and such emotion, wearing the flight suit that she is going to fly to space in, it was amazing.”

Natalie plans to continue as a conference consultant during her junior year. She says the consultant role provides a unique opportunity to connect with the speakers, which is one of the most rewarding parts of the process. 

When she’s not in the classroom or working on a TED Talk, Natalie stays busy serving her Phi Sigma Pi Chapter as Vice President. She also recently concluded a successful Spring recruitment as the Chapter’s Recruitment Chair and helped welcome 19 initiates.

“Joining Phi Sigma Pi was the best decision I’ve ever made, I have not looked back for a second,” Natalie says. “It has given me such a huge community of scholars that have encouraged me to continue seeking my best, but also just are my best friends in the world.”

Learn more about TEDxPSU, or watch “The Spacesuit Effect” here.

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