UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Christopher Jefferson has been named director for the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, a unit of Penn State Student Affairs, effective July 1.
"I am ecstatic to serve in this role,” Jefferson said. “I am grateful for the investment Penn State is making to enhance the experience of members of the fraternity and sorority community and ultimately the student experience on college campuses.”
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“The exceptional strength of the candidate pool for this position was indicative of the success we’re having with reforming and improving our fraternity and sorority system,” said Damon Sims, vice president for Student Affairs. “Chris was the best of the best, and we’re lucky to have him joining Penn State.”
Since early 2018, Steve Veldkamp, special assistant to the vice president for Student Affairs, has functioned as the interim director of Fraternity and Sorority Life. He was instrumental in helping to lead the implementation of vision and reform in the University’s fraternity and sorority communities.
“I’m forever grateful to my colleague and friend, Steve Veldkamp, for his willingness to provide key leadership to the initial implementation of our Greek life reforms,” said Sims. “Steve’s experience, insight and reputation gave credibility to our effort, and we would not have found our early success in this area without his guidance.”
Jefferson comes to Penn State from Indiana State University where he has been director of Fraternity and Sorority Life since July 2018. In that role, Jefferson provided leadership and vision for the institution’s fraternity and sorority program, which included collaboration with academic units, residential units, public safety staff, university police and Title IX professionals, as well as providing educational training for student leaders and chapter advisers and supporting governing councils and chapters.
Jefferson said he is committed to helping students discover their passions, enhance their community, live their values and realize their leadership potential through the fraternal experience.
“There is tremendous value in the fraternity and sorority experience,” Jefferson said. “Through strategic interventions, coaching, assessment and data-informed practices, I am confident we will help students at Penn State reach their potential as leaders, learn to live their values and have a positive impact on the community."
Prior to his position at Indiana State University, Jefferson was the associate director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at North Carolina State University from 2014 to 2018; associate director of Leadership and Student Involvement at Old Dominion University from 2011 to 2014; and assistant director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at George Mason University from 2008 to 2011.
Jefferson joined the Eta Gamma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. in 2003 while at the University of Missouri. In his professional role, he continues to be an active volunteer within the fraternal community, serving as a lead facilitator for Phi Kappa Tau's National Leadership Academy and facilitator for the North American Interfraternity Conference's Launch, Impact, and Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute programs. He also serves as a member of the Association of Fraternity\Sorority Advisor's Professional Development Committee and Membership Intake Resource Guide Work group.
Jefferson earned his bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 2006 and master’s degree in educational leadership and policy analysis in 2008 from the University of Missouri.