Jacksonville, AL – As originally reported by Brett Buckner of JSU’s Media Department, it began, as most moments of change do, with a conversation. Last year, Oscar Juc-Ibarra, then a desk assistant in the Dean of Students Office at Jacksonville State University, frequently discussed the possibility of starting a multicultural fraternity with Assistant Dean of Students FranShay Kendal Garrett. When Garrett approached Juc-Ibarra with the idea, he was immediately enthusiastic.
Inspired by their conversations, Garrett researched various National Latino Greek organizations and discovered Alpha Psi Lambda. Established on February 11, 1985, at The Ohio State University, Alpha Psi Lambda has grown to 59 chapters in 21 states, with more than 4,500 members. After attending the Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors Conference, Garrett found that conversations with Juc-Ibarra became more focused.
“Oscar was all in,” Garrett said. A student poll found high levels of interest in bringing the fraternity to Jax State. By the summer of 2024, discussions about logistics began in earnest, and by the fall, with Juc-Ibarra serving as president, efforts to establish Alpha Psi Lambda on campus were well underway.
As a co-ed fraternity, Alpha Psi Lambda accepted its first class of six members, known as the Founding Line, last fall. The fraternity is already welcoming new potential members for the spring semester. “Since we are a national fraternity and a part of the Multicultural Greek Council, our membership process is a bit different than the other councils on campus,” said Juc-Ibarra, a 21-year-old junior. “We typically have recruitment the first two or three weeks of a school semester, and then we’ll go through six to eight weeks of member training before becoming an official member.”
Alpha Psi Lambda is the first affiliate chapter of its organization in the state of Alabama. Once membership grows, the group can submit a request to become the first chartered chapter in the state. The national organization will then decide whether to approve or deny the request. “They’re well on their way there,” Garrett said. “Honestly, I’m hoping that next spring or fall, they’ll have their charter.”
To remain in good standing, members must maintain a 2.6 GPA and pay dues. “It’s nothing too strenuous in terms of requirements,” said executive vice president Annette Vasquez, a member of the Founding Line. “Mostly, be involved.”
While Alpha Psi Lambda is a Latino fraternity, Juc-Ibarra and Vasquez emphasize that it is not exclusive to Hispanic or Latino students. “Our mission and values embody Hispanic and Latin culture,” Vasquez said. “Alpha Psi Lambda places an emphasis on unity and family. We hope to build bonds with each other to resemble a familia (family) so that we can grow together and be able to relate to like-minded individuals. We also focus on the power of community and helping each other.”
Juc-Ibarra sees the fraternity as an opportunity to empower Latino students as campus leaders. “They will have the power to continue inspiring others to do the same,” he said. “As of now, we are growing, and we are making that momentum that we are here and have a voice. I am hoping with the buzz surrounding our fraternity, we can bring in more Latinos from around Alabama.”
Despite only being in its second semester, Alpha Psi Lambda has already received positive feedback. “Many students were proud that we were able to bring this fraternity to life at Jax State,” Vasquez said. “We’ve gotten many comments saying that we’re not your typical fraternity, and that goes to show how unique we are.”
Garrett believes that Alpha Psi Lambda is just the beginning. “It’s going to grow our Greek community,” she said. “That is my number one goal—to grow the community and to give as many options as possible to our diverse student population. Even if you’re not a member of Fraternity and Sorority Life, we believe that by having this organization on campus, incoming or potential students will have more options available to them in regard to Greek Life. It’s all about helping students find a place where they feel at home on campus.”
Photo Courtsey of JSU
