From holiday traditions rooted in Latinx culture to long-running pageants that spotlight Asian American identity, Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) chapters at NIU are creating spaces where culture takes center stage.
Through signature events hosted throughout the academic year, MGC organizations invite the campus community to learn, celebrate and connect through traditions that feel like home for students far from it.
“It creates a space for students to see similar faces from similar experiences. I think it’s really important to create those homes for students,” said Emma Alquicira, president of the Multicultural Greek Council and a member of Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc. “Coming to NIU, that’s what I liked, the diversity. It really drew me in because it shows that NIU understands how to make people feel welcome, and it makes me feel proud of my university.”
As MGC chapters continue to host cultural celebrations throughout the year, their events serve as reminders that culture is not only something to recognize, but something to actively celebrate.
One example is La Posada, hosted in November by Alpha Sigma Omega Latina Sorority, Inc. in partnership with Kappa Delta Chi Sorority, Inc. The event brought a Mexican and Hispanic tradition to campus for the first time.
“This partnership allowed both organizations to collaborate, communicate and merge ideas to create an event that emphasized unity, cultural pride and community engagement,” said Ariana Nova of Alpha Sigma Omega Latina Sorority, Inc. “It was especially impactful because it introduced a tradition that had never been done on campus before, making it both educational and welcoming.”
Traditionally centered on faith, family and service, Posadas are celebrated during the holiday season through song, food and gathering. For Nova, a marketing major from Woodstock, recreating that experience at NIU carried personal meaning.
“Growing up, Posadas were a religious and community-centered tradition where my family would attend church, sing Christmas carols and celebrate together. It was also a time when giving back and volunteering within the community was encouraged,” she said. “Being able to recreate that experience on campus was very special to me.”
Beyond Posada, Alpha Sigma Omega Latina Sorority, Inc. hosts several annual events that highlight culture and empowerment. The group’s Womyn Empowerment Ceremony recognizes leaders in the community, while the fall Kermés event uses traditional games and food to educate attendees about different countries and cultures each year.
“These events reflect who we are,” Nova said. “They allow us to honor our roots, uplift womyn and build bridges within the campus community.”
Across NIU, other MGC chapters host signature programs that have become long-standing traditions.
Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.’s recent Mr. Asian GQ — a male pageant now in its 17th year — celebrates Asian culture and identity while raising awareness and fostering dialogue.
“It’s one of the biggest events we host annually, if not the biggest,” said Jocelyn Thammavongsa, vice-president of Kappa Phi Lamda. “We had a great turnout.”
Thammavongsa, a junior from Elgin majoring in management with an emphasis in human resources, sought out her sorority as a freshman.
“I knew I wanted to find some place where I felt some sense of belonging, as well as Asian culture,” she said. “I really fell in love with the sisterhood and the community. I have found so many great connections, not just on campus but outside of campus.”
Additional events hosted by MGC organizations include cultural showcases and performances that span multiple heritages and communities.
According to Vicki Gerentes, director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, these events are central to MGC’s mission and impact at NIU.
“Culturally-based fraternities and sororities focus on history, culture and tradition to create a sense of belonging. Their founders saw a need for community through culture,” Gerentes said. “You do not have to identify with the cultural background the organization was founded in, you just have to embrace it. Our FSL community is proud to recognize these fraternal organizations that honor their history through the celebration of culture.”
