Meet the 2014-2015 Aretias Executive Board

Raquel Valls, Haumea-Aretias

Aretias Director

aretiasdirector@gmail.com

Raquel Kristina Valls became a sister in Fall 2003 while attending the University of Central Florida, where she later graduated with a degree in Psychology and Criminal Justice. Raquel held various positions on the chapter  and district level. In November of 2006 Raquel joined the National Governing Council as the National Officer of Expansion, a position she would hold for five years, followed by two years as the National Officer of Membership. Most recently, she completed a term as the Assistant Director to District VII. Raquel was a member of the Hi’aika Step & Stroll team for several years and has guided five lines of prospective members to become sisters. She has served on various committees for hosting Conventions, reevaluating the constitution, revamping membership,  and hosting the 30th STAR Formal. She has served as a representative for the National Multicultural Greek Council and has served on the NMGC Membership Committee since 2011. Raquel was recognized as Supernova of the Year in 2007 and was awarded the Aretias Scholarship in 2011.

In December of 2013, Raquel completed the Master of Social Work program at Florida International University. She has dedicated the last 9 years to social service, working with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, the homeless and the mentally ill. In 2012, she launched a baking and decorating business that allows her to express her creativity and passions in a whole different way. Above all, she is a proud mother to an energetic and charismatic three year old who continues to remind her how beautiful both life and motherhood are day after day.

Audie Torres, Genesis-Aretias

Aretias Assistant Director

aretiasasstdirector@gmail.com

Audie R. Torres is a founding sister (Fall 2003) of the Genesis Chapter at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania (KU). She graduated from KU in 2005 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. In August of 2013 she obtained her M.S. in School Business Leadership from Wilkes University. She has worked in higher education as Assistant Director of Multicultural Services, then moved on to become an Account Analyst for the Grants Office at a school district which she was fiscally responsible for local/state/federal funds . She is currently the Supervisor of Child Accounting at the same school district, where she is responsible for the registration, attendance and reporting of approximately 14,000 students and reconciles invoices for approximate 2,000 students in charter schools.

During her undergrad years Audie held various executive board positions as a sister of MSU such as treasurer, community service chair and Unite Greek Council representative.  As an alumna she served District III (Pennsylvania) in various roles; Assistant Director, Director, Treasurer, Interim Secretary, Assistant District Officer of Membership, District Officer of Membership and helped expand MSU in Pennsylvania. She last served as the Officer of Risk Management for the 2011-2013 National Governing Council and is excited to take up the new challenge of being the Assistant Director of the Aretias Chapter.  Mu Sigma Upsilon has allowed her to combine her passion for multiculturalism and education, to serve her community and become a mentor.

Carolina Velasquez, Aretias

Aretias Secretary

aretiassecretary@gmail.com

Carolina P. Velasquez became a sister of the Aretias Chapter in Spring of 2008, while attending Lehigh University as a graduate student.  She attained her BA in Sociology, with minors in Women's Studies and Criminal Justice.  Over the past six years, she has provided continuous support to District III (Pennsylvania), was a Big for Lazuline, Assistant Officer of Membership for Aretias and NGC Officer of Community Affairs. In the last year, she was Officer of Membership for Aretias and a Big for the reviving line of Dhyani.

Outside of the Mu world, Carolina works as a Parents As Teachers Educator and a part-time Therapeutic Staff Support for children within the Autism spectrum. When she is not working, Carolina enjoys traveling, baking, and spending time with her family and friends, most especially with her Godson Johan.

Olivia Rodriguez, Siksika- Aretias

Aretias Treasurer

aretiastreasurer@gmail.com

Olivia Rodriguez Tsampis became a sister in Spring 2001 at the Siksika Chapter of William Paterson University. She has held executive board positions at every level (from Chapter President, to Alumnae President and Vice-President, District Director, NGC Vice-President, NGC Community Affairs, NGC Officer of Retention, and finished her term as NGC President in 2013.)  Olivia served on committees to host the MSU banquet from 2002 to 2007 and Conventions from 2005 to 2008. She has been highly involved with membership as Officer of Membership eight times (four times for Siksika, three times for Xurima and once for Bodhati), Assistant Officer of Membership (first Aretias line and twice for Siksika) and a Big sister three times (Emeritus, Mosaic and Aretias). Olivia has also served multiple terms as Alumnae Advisor for Siksika and Xurima and was a proud member of the National Step Team from 2002-2005.

Olivia has always been very involved with community services ranging from awareness walks to Special Olympics events and contributing at the Hillside Food Bank. She also donates generously towards several charities.   Her service contributions earned her the first Individual Sister Community Service Award in 2003. She has also been recognized as Alumna of the Year in 2003, was awarded the Graduate Scholarship in 2007 and was President of her chapter the year Siksika was awarded Chapter of the Year.

Away from MSU, Olivia is a high school math teacher and an adjunct professor at a community college. Education is very important to her as she loves to guide the youths of today to pursue a great career in the future. Olivia also has an eight-year-old son, Diego, a two year-old daughter, Ysabel, a loving and supportive husband, Ioannis and a precious dog, Snoopy.

Tanairi Lozada, Nysa-Aretias

Aretias Officer of Membership

aretiasmembership@gmail.com

A freshman in college, Tanairi Lozada experienced various racial prejudices in Fall 2003. As much as she wanted to leave, she was urged by school administration to find something that would forever make a difference in Oneonta and leave it's mark of diversity. In the Spring of 2005, Tanairi Lozada became a founding sister (#2) of the Nysa Chapter at the State University of New York, College at Oneonta in Central New York. Finding and joining MSU solidified her ideas and passion for the sisterhood. Since becoming a sister, Tanairi has consistently held positions at the undergraduate level, on boards and committees that have helped guide our organization towards improvement. Now taking on the role of Aretias Officer of Membership, Tanairi hopes to bring her expertise in recruitment, membership and expansion to assist the chapter and it's members.

Professionally, Tanairi has a diverse background in media, social work, and fundraising. Recently she has taken a new journey as a Flight Attendant.

Cynthia Rodriguez, Haumea-Aretias

Assistant Officer of Membership

aretiasasstmembership@gmail.com

Cynthia Rodriguez became a founding sister of the Haumea Chapter in Spring 2003. She was an active undergrad and helped establish the original Hi'iaka Step Team. She held position as Social Chair, Public Relations, Office of Membership (Uli’anana line) and Alumni Advisor at the Haumea Chapter. As an alumnae she was District VII Officer of Membership in 2006-07, Assistant Officer of Membership for the Yazi Chapter founding line, Officer of Membership for the Cheveyo Chapter founding line and Officer of Membership for the Itawa line of the Kimimela Chapter. One of her greatest accomplishments as a sister is creating the original Greek Seasons event at the Haumea Chapter in 2005.

In May 2013, she graduated with her Master of Social Work degree from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College in New York. She is currently a college advocate and community organizer, focusing mainly on city and state level policy around social justice.

Melany Cruz Rodriguez, Jhansi-Aretias

Aretias Historian

aretiashistorian@gmail.com

Melany Cruz Rodriguez became a sister Spring 2013 as part of the Zenobia revival line of the Jhansi Chapter at The Pennsylvania State University, main campus. Earning multiple bachelor degrees from Penn State ranging from Business to Agriculture, Melany graduated May 2014. Although a sister only for a short period of time, Melany has served as Chapter Vice President and outside-chapter roles such as Expansion Officer for two Midwest schools, District retreat planning committee member (Fall 2013), and now is taking on the position of Aretias Historian. Currently she is a Supply Chain Associate for Dow AgroSciences in Indianapolis, IN. One of her favorite aspects of MSU has been the opportunity she has been granted to gain unlimited MSU knowledge from sisters near and far. Melany hopes to continue learning from sisters all the while exploring herself as a leader within our organizations for the years to come.

Introducing: The Aretias Executive Board

Director

Karla Rodas-Ferrer became a sister Spring 2000 at the Siksika Chapter of William Paterson University. As an undergraduate, she held various positions such as chapter Vice President and webmaster, Officer of Membership for Siksika and was Big for Emeritus, Destinidas & Xurima. One of her favorite moments as an undergraduate was Mu Kids’ Day, when Siksika had children from Newark, NJ come to William Paterson University for a day of fun & educational events. As alumna, she is the former National Governing Council Assistant Officer of Membership and Officer of Communication, Officer of Membership for the founding line of Genesis and was recently a Big for Evadne. She has a Bachelor’s of Arts in Communication and is working towards getting into Master of Fine Arts program for photography. She is also an entrepreneur and runs her own photography business at www.KarlaRodas.com.

Email: AretiasDirector@gmail.com

Assistant Director

Roxanne (Heath) Huertas founded the Abrianeme Chapter at The College of New Jersey Spring 2001. As an undergraduate, she was chapter Treasurer, NGC & Greek Senate representative, was chair for several committees, and was both a Big and Officer of Membership. She continued to be active as alumna and was the National Governing Council Treasurer for two terms. Roxanne earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and is currently working towards a Master’s of Arts in Liberal Studies. She is married and a proud mom of two beautiful children.

Email: AretiasAsstDirector@gmail.com

Secretary

Monifa Ellis became sister Fall 2004 at the Zaona Chapter of Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. As an undergraduate, she held several positions at her chapter, including Vice President, Greek Senate representative and committee chair and has been Big for Siksika & Amazona. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Dance & Pre-movement Science, and as Step Team captain, helped MSU place 3rd in a 2008 step championship. In 2008, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams and is currently a professional dancer. 

Email: AretiasSecretary@gmail.com

Treasurer

Lya Cadena crossed into the Siksika Chapter of William Paterson University Spring 2002. As an undergraduate, she was Treasurer and a member of the chapter step team. As alumna, she was District II Treasurer and Assistant Officer of Membership for Siksika. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Finance and is currently a manager at Bank of America.

Email: AretiasTreasurer@gmail.com

Officer of Membership

Cristina Gomez crossed into the Siksika Chapter of William Paterson University Spring 2000. As an undergraduate, she was President and Secretary, a Big for Siksika twice, a Student Ambassador, Resident Assistant and involved in various clubs. She has a Bachelor's of Science in Sociology, is certified in Elementary Education, currently works as a kindergarten teacher and is working towards a Master's of Arts degree. 

Email: AretiasMembership@gmail.com

Assistant Officer of Membership

Nikki S. Hale became a sister of the Aretias Chapter Spring 2011 and recently graduated from Westchester University with a Master of Public Health in Integrative Health. As a graduate sister, she has supported the undergraduates at the Novastella Chapter at Westchester.

Email: AretiasAsstMembership@gmail.com

Officer of Public Relations

Tanya Pons crossed into the Siksika Chapter of William Paterson University Spring 2002. She was an active undergraduate and was chapter President, Secretary, NGC representative and Chair for the Communications & Public Relations committees, Big for Matriarca and Genesis, Assistant Officer of Membership for Siksika, part of the chapter step team and won the Lucy Dipini Scholarship. One of her favorite memories as an undergraduate was a road trip to Haumea in 2003. As alumna, she performed in several step and stroll competitions and was a member of the NGC Communications committee. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and is currently a supervisor at a Fortune 500 company.

Email: AretiasPublicRelations@gmail.com

Historian

Sherrell Jackson crossed into the Zaona Chapter of Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Spring 2001. As an undergraduate, she held every executive board position, as well as several committee chairs, and was Greek Senate and National Governing Council representative. She was also Assistant Officer of Membership twice and Officer of Membership for her chapter. As alumna, she has been Director, Secretary & Treasurer of District I. She holds a Bachelor's of Arts in Criminal Justice and currently works in the insurance industry. 

Email: AretiasHistorian@gmail.com

Officer of Academic Affairs

Erica Estrada became a sister of the Hasinai Chapter at Stephen F. Austin State University Fall 2008. As an undergraduate, she was chapter President, Vice President, a representative to Greek Senate, a stepper and Assistant Officer of Membership for Hasinai. She graduated Fall 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and is currently a sales manager at a historic hotel. Erica is thankful for being a part of this family and looks forward to helping sisters stay active and eventually joining NGC. She says, “I truly believe in this organization, and I want to do whatever I can help us thrive.”

Email:                    AretiasAcademicAffairs@gmail.com

Officer of Retention

Regine Saintilien became a sister of the Abrianeme Chapter at The College of New Jersey Fall 2005. As an undergraduate, she was chapter Secretary, NGC Representative and a committee chair and as alumni, was Big for Freyja and Kailasa. She has a Bachelor of Arts in both Sociology and Communications, is currently working on a Master of Community Planning and works in the Urban Planning & Community Development field. She is excited about creating a support network for active Alumni and getting inactive sisters back into the fold. Her current motto is, “Aretias Chapter – this is OUR year!”

Email: AretiasRetention@gmail.com