Heather Mourao

Being a transfer student, it was very difficult for me to find my place within Quinnipiac. By becoming a part of Kappa Alpha Theta, I was able to not only meet a group of new amazing women, but also join an organization that stands by important values, just as I do in my life. Being able to say that I am a member of Kappa Alpha Theta has truly been a rewarding and honorable experience. I have always been taught that as a woman I should aspire to be not only classy, but dedicated to both my academic achievements and service. Kappa Alpha Theta is built on these ideals and through being a member I have been able to make these the foundation of my growth.

An important aspect of Theta that I prize and value is, “Theta is for a Lifetime.” Being fortunate enough to meet various women that are Theta alumni has painted this concept beautifully for me. Women are still gathering together as mothers and grandmothers, discussing aspects of Theta that no one else would ever understand. I know that in my lifetime I will be lucky enough to say that I have support from not one, but two families in my life. The bonds I have formed with these women are truly some of the strongest; I am linked for life with the women of this chapter. I know that many of the women of Eta Xi will be at my wedding and forever in my life. I will eternally be proud to be able to say that I am a part of Kappa Alpha Theta, a fraternity that has shaped me into the woman I am today.

Being a member of Kappa Alpha Theta has changed my life more ways than I could have ever imagined. It has changed me into a better person, and introduced me to some of my best friends.
I always knew I wanted to be in a sorority, but when I came to Quinnipiac and met the members of Kappa Alpha Theta, and discovered the CASA philanthropy, I knew it was a perfect match.

Theta has given me more opportunities than I can imagine. I have an opportunity to participate in lots of community service activities, I have been lucky enough to hold two positions and meet some of the most amazing women. More than anything, it has taught me unity. Not only within Theta itself—although our fraternity’s bond is strong, and I love being able to walk anywhere on campus and be able to say hello to so many sisters—it has shown me unity with all the Greek organizations on campus. I had heard that all the Greek organizations on campus got along, but never really believed it. But when I became a part of Theta I saw that everyone really did respect each other. Now I have best friends in every other sorority on campus—as well as the fraternities. I love being able to walk into the cafeteria and see so many of my friends spending time together, all wearing letters—no matter which ones.

I recently received an internship with a major television network, which would not have been possible without my experience in Theta and the support of my sisters. It really put into perspective how soon I will be heading out into the real world, and it reassured the fact that I know my sisters will always have my back.

Theta has taught me to always have "Faith for myself, hope for my future, and love for my sisters."

I can’t say I’ve travelled really far from my hometown. I grew up on Long Island and I’ve been here ever since, minus my current living situation in Hamden, Connecticut. I feel like I used to be in this bubble or in my comfort zone after being in the same area for nineteen years or so. Yet, when I came to the Q, I wasn’t in my bubble or my comfort zone. I started to hear things like, “Hey are you from long island?” And when I said yes, apparently I have this “long island” accent that I never even knew existed. It was really hard for me to find that one place I knew I would fit in with no matter what, that one place I could always turn too.

Luckily, I found it in Theta. Theta is such a huge part of my life but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I always find myself saying, “Go Greek! It’s the best decision you will ever make!” I have so many reasons for Theta being my best decision ever. Theta always puts me in a great mood; I can’t stop smiling whenever I leave an event. It makes me want to strive to travel far and experience new things. It’s made me realize that even though I have found a comfort zone in Theta, I will be able to find a comfort zone where ever I go because I will always have a part of Theta with me. Within Theta I’ve found things I didn’t even know were possible. Being involved and being with such an amazing group of girls makes my college experience worthwhile. I’m happy to say I’m in Kappa Alpha Theta and I most definitely wear my letters proudly. 

I am a junior, Physical Therapy major from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Being from North Carolina, it was hard for me to adjust to the harsh Connecticut winters, but I some how managed it, and keep coming back every year. It’s nice to share some of my southern lifestyle with the rest of Quinnipiac.

Theta has inspired me to challenge myself and continue in service. So much so, that this past summer I biked across the country for affordable housing with 31 other college aged students with an organization called Bike & Build. Before the trip started each rider raised a minimum of $4,000 for the cause. As a group we raised over $142,000 to be donated to affordable housing causes, such as Habitat for Humanity, and Rebuilding Together. I personally know that a goal like this could not have been accomplished without the help and support of my sisters. The trip started off in Nags Head, NC and ended in San Diego, California. We had 9 different build days, in which we would help build houses or make repairs for these affordable housing organizations, 50 riding days where we rode our bikes for an average of 75 miles per day, and 4 days off. A typical riding day consisted of us getting up at 5am (although there were times when it was 4am in the desert to beat the heat), and eating breakfast, getting our bags packed up again, and heading out onto the open road. Each day we would get a cue sheet saying how to get to our next host location and then we would head off to conquer the day. Our lunch stop would usually be around mile 35 or 40 and if it was a long day we would have two lunch breaks, the next one around mile 75 or 80. Our longest riding day was 128 miles, yet I wouldn’t describe this day as our hardest. This trip was an experience of a lifetime. Some of the highlights were climbing the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, going whitewater rafting in the canyon’s of Colorado, being able to meet the families that we built for, thrift store prom on 4th of July in an Indian Reservation, running into the Pacific Ocean, doing the “Cupid Shuffle” at every monumental ride, and much more. This trip helped me grow as a person, and if presented with the opportunity to do it all over again, I would in a second. Bike & Build is an absolute wonderful organization and I am thrilled that I was able to be a small part of it.

This trip proved to me that Theta has influenced people all over the world. Not only did I have a leader who was a Theta at The College of William & Mary, I also took a shower at a Theta’s house in Brawley, CA. It was fun sharing different experiences and learning about other chapters.