Professor Corey Ciocchetti of the department of Business Ethics and Legal Studies says: “Improve Yourself: Go Change the World.”
With this motto, he began his mentorship program for the Delta Gamma sorority, aimed at improving the women of Delta Gamma both academically and socially.
Currently, Delta Gamma has the lowest G.P.A. of the five licensed University of Denver sororities. Ciocchetti’s plan aspires to have their cumulative G.P.A. rank first, at a 3.4 average, of these five sororities by the end of this quarter.
The mentorship program was initiated by several members of Delta Gamma who approached Ciocchetti during winter quarter and expressed interest in an academic advisor for the sorority, a position that has been empty for at least the current generation of members.
After speaking with the women and realizing the intense concern that these women had to create a change in the sorority, Ciocchetti designed a program based in a motto of positive change.
“The sorority has really great leadership, and they really want to make a change,” said Ciocchetti.
“I know we are capable of doing better in our scholastics. I feel it’s a wonderful program that will enrich the girls,” said president of Delta Gamma, Brianna Elwell.
“Overall I hope to raise our G.P.A. to a 3.4, [but] I just want the girls to be motivated to succeed in their lives.”
The program focuses on a positive change both in sorority’s average G.P.A. as well as their general campus wide reputation.
“The ladies of Delta Gamma are fabulous women already,” said Elwell. “We just wanted to add something more…to get motivated.”
“We’re striving to reach a high G.P.A., but we’re also learning about perfecting our character and professionalism,” said Elwell.
“We’re really close to where we need to be,” said Ciocchetti. Although it is goal oriented, the program allows for gradual change by stipulating continuous improvement as long as each member’s cumulative G.P.A. remains below 3.4.
In addition to an academic mentorship, Ciocchetti is focusing on an overall improvement and positive change in both the attitudes within and about the sorority. Each woman will have the chance to meet one-on-one with Ciocchetti to discuss life and career goals.
“None of this is mandatory, but rather self-exploration exercises,” said Ciocchetti.
The program will include a community service day in order to “Do good [Delta Gamma’s motto] for the sake of doing good” rather than to fulfill an obligation, said Ciocchetti.
In addition to two that have already occurred, Ciocchetti will be giving talks to the sorority based on his book, “Real Rabbits: Chasing an Authentic Life.”
The book, based on the fable of a greyhound who decides to quit racing when he realizes all the rabbits he has been chasing are artificial, promotes life decisions that focus on chasing the rabbits that really count.
“I want to encourage these girls to chase real rabbits in their lives,” said Ciocchetti.
These talks will continue four times a quarter to encourage success, and Ciocchetti will be bringing in positive role models, such as a justice of the Colorado Supreme Court, to support this goal of positive change.
In the effort to chase the real rabbits, “we are going to turn around recruitment,” said Ciocchetti. “[We are] going to focus on character recruiting, on the many other factors besides the way you look.”
“I am really being positive about all this,” said Ciocchetti.
The desire to change is there, he said, stressing the great leadership of the sorority which will ultimately bring these changes to fruition.
“It’s really a heck of a project. We’re breaking down some walls here,” said Ciocchetti. “We still have work to do, but if it does work, it will be amazing.”
