Ryan-Jasen Henne has been hired as director of Greek life, announced Jill Carnaghi, Ph.D., director of campus life and assistant vice chancellor for students.
“I am very excited to have Ryan as the director of Greek life and part of the Campus Life staff,” said Carnaghi. “Ryan is a dynamic person who has much experience and expertise working with students and student leaders, as well as Greek national headquarter staff. He is poised to take the Greek community and individual chapters to the next level related to their founding values and beliefs.”
Henne started at the University July 2 after spending one year as assistant director for fraternities, sororities and independent living groups at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Prior to that, he worked for more than five years as an area coordinator in residence life and Greek adviser at Occidental College in Los Angeles.
He earned a master’s degree in college student affairs and leadership from Grand Valley State University and is working on a doctoral degree in education from the University of Southern California.
As director, Henne will oversee the University’s 11 fraternities and six sororities. The Greek Life Office is charged with the responsibility of establishing supportive and collaborative relationships with Greek leaders and members. The office provides chapter advising, event planning, leadership development, risk reduction and management and more.
“The fraternity and sorority members with whom I’ve interacted have been amazing,” said Henne. “They are passionate, concerned and engaged. They are a lot of fun, too. These men and women are very knowledgeable on every facet of the institution, and I’ve learned quickly how in tune they are with their community’s goals and needs.”
Henne is looking forward to working closely with his colleagues in student affairs. “We all have a shared vision of what our system is and how we can challenge students to continue to grow and create community.
This year, we are focusing on working with our fraternity and sorority men and women to further educate their non-affiliated contemporaries that these are values-based organizations with a time-honored sense of tradition and purpose.
“With their initiations, there is a greater expectation of responsibility, service and integrity. We are all optimistic and excited for the coming year.”