Meet an Advisor: Tylar Benedetto

Tylar Benedetto (Epsilon Mu 2016/Buffalo) graduated only a year before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Living just an hour outside of New York City at the time, her life suddenly felt incredibly different. “I was missing the community and connection of my collegiate days,” she said. “I had also made changes in my career path and was starting to think toward a career in nonprofit work, thanks to skills I developed as a collegiate member, so I wanted to give my down time back to the Sorority.” 

She applied to be an advisor for the Delta Phi Chapter at New York University and was appointed as the Member Development Advisor in September 2020. Tylar said, “I think it was better that I started advising a different chapter than the one I had come from. I was only a year removed from the collegiate experience when I became an advisor, so I was able to enter a different world and help another chapter. It also gave me a chance to connect with Sisters that I never would have met otherwise.” 

In 2021, she moved to Philadelphia for graduate school but continued to advise Delta Phi as she already had plenty of virtual advisor experience. In 2023, she stepped up to fill a vacant Operations and Finance Advisor position in addition to her Member Development role, and in January 2025, Tylar was appointed as the Delta Phi Chapter Advisor. 

Her level of involvement with the chapter has changed since taking on the new role. “When I first started advising, I just had a weekly meeting with one officer. Now, I have weekly one-on-one meetings with the Chapter President and Vice President of Operations, weekly Finance Team meetings with Headquarters Staff, calls with other teams and officers as needed, and virtually attend Executive Committee meetings,” Tylar explained. “I also try to attend at least two chapter events each semester so that everyone can get to know me better in person.” 

While it does take extra work, developing strong relationships with the Executive Committee officers is one of Tylar’s favorite parts of the job. She said, “At NYU, most women study abroad during their junior year, so the majority of our officers are sophomores, or sometimes even freshmen. It’s rewarding to coach someone younger and watch them come into their own, embrace a leadership style, and figure out how they want to lead their peers.” 

On the flip side, having a younger team of leaders can be a challenge for the chapter. Tylar explained, “Our officers are still learning, maybe even more so than someone who is a junior or senior, so you have to encourage them to think through all the opportunities and be willing to let them make mistakes. I also coach them through getting negative feedback from their Sisters about chapter decisions, which can be rough as a young woman, especially if it’s your first time receiving that type of feedback from your peers.” 

During her tenure as a Delta Phi advisor, Tylar has been impressed by the willingness of her officers to continually improve themselves and the chapter, making strides in their chapter finances and working on improving member retention. She shared, “Recently, we’ve had a significant mindset shift where officers are more willing to work through operational priorities and create processes and procedures that will allow for a better membership experience and hopefully, better recruitment outcomes too.” 

There have also been improvements in communication between the Executive Committee and the Chapter Advisory Board (CAB). “The chapter officers are getting the advisors involved in the process earlier on and wanting feedback when we can still help and guide them, which is key to avoiding larger chapter issues,” she said. 

For Tylar, advising is another piece in the puzzle of her lifelong Alpha Sigma Tau journey. “I’ve made good friends with other Delta Phi CAB members, developed relationships with collegiate officers that last long after they graduate, and connected with and learned from other advisors at National and regional events,” she said. “Advising can be challenging, but it’s also so rewarding and can lead to other connections, relationships, and opportunities within the Sorority.” 

If you’re interested in advising, Tylar shares this final piece of advice: “Make sure it’s the right role for you! Think about your interests and expertise and discuss available opportunities with Headquarters to find the chapter and position that fits you best. It’s also important to know that the women you advise will mirror your time, energy, and commitment when it comes to investing in their chapter. You can lead by example by ensuring that your Alpha Sigma Tau role is a high priority in your life.”

Thank you to Tylar 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!