Meet an Advisor: Daysi Fuentes Aguilar
As a collegiate member, Daysi Fuentes Aguilar (Epsilon Iota 2019/NYIT) had an advisor who made a tremendous impact on her life. “She really pushed me out of my comfort zone, encouraged me to step into leadership roles, and supported me in ways that stuck with me long after graduation,” she said.
When it came time to find Chapter Advisory Board (CAB) members for our newest chapter, Epsilon Omega/Iona, Daysi reflected on that experience and felt drawn to become their Chapter Advisor. She said, “I had always thought I’d love to give back in that way someday. I knew I wanted to be that kind of support system for other women.”
Working with a newly established chapter comes with its own set of challenges and rewards. Members, officers, and advisors are navigating different expectations and experiences as they work toward a larger goal. “It requires a lot of patience, and there’s always going to be ups and downs when you’re mentoring. I remind everyone that the chapter has so much room to grow, and each challenge is an opportunity. There’s a steep learning curve because we’re all learning together how to run a chapter successfully,” she explained.
Currently, Daysi focuses on being present and providing consistent support, not just for the chapter officers, but for all the Epsilon Omega members. “Going into this role, I wanted to be as involved as possible so members feel that they have people they can truly rely on. I attend weekly chapter meetings and have a virtual one-on-one with the Chapter President each week,” she said.
Attending chapter meetings has been a great way for Daysi to build relationships and stay connected with officers and members as the chapter grows and develops. She said, “It’s really special to see our members step into roles, challenge themselves, and start to believe in their own abilities.” She also works closely with Headquarters Staff members and other CAB members to keep everyone informed and ensure there’s a supportive in-person presence for the chapter at major events.
One of her favorite memories with the chapter so far was their recent installation ceremony, conducted by National President Jamie Jones Miller (Psi 1995/James Madison). “It was an emotional and meaningful experience,” she said. “Hearing Samantha, the Chapter President, speak about how much the Sisterhood had impacted her, and having her take the time to thank everyone who supported the chapter, including the CAB, was a touching moment.”
It was also a reminder of exactly why she wanted to become an advisor in the first place. Daysi said, “I get to see everything about our Sisterhood through a different lens. I remember all the sisterhood events, rituals, and moments from my collegiate experience, and now I get to watch these women experience those things for the first time and watch their connection to the Sisterhood grow in real time.”
She’s also found an unexpected benefit of advising – reconnecting with Alpha Sigma Tau in a different capacity. “It’s opened doors I didn’t expect. I’ve been able to grow my network, build friendships with other advisors, and create genuine connections with our members,” Daysi said. “What you gain from this experience, both personally and professionally, far outweighs anything else. It’s incredibly rewarding.”
Thank you to Daysi and all the advisors who help our collegiate women grow, learn, and improve daily!
Interested in advising?
The Alpha Sigma Tau collegiate experience depends on the positive support and effort of Chapter Advisory Board (CAB) members—dedicated volunteers who work closely with the local collegiate chapter officers.
If you enjoy working with college students, advancing the mission of Alpha Sigma Tau, and ensuring our Sisterhood is the safest place for women to be on campus, consider applying to become an advisor today.
Learn more about advising and start the application process to become an advisor here!