Alumnae from Mercer University’s sorority chapters are continuing to make an impact in their Greek organizations at the regional, national and international levels.
These Mercerians have carried the skills and sisterhood experiences they gained as students into their lives and careers. Many stay involved in their sororities long after graduation, and several have risen to high-ranking leadership positions and received significant recognition in recent years.
“Mercer is a smaller institution than a lot of colleges and universities. It’s really cool that our Greek life system is clearly doing a lot to shape leaders,” said Alpha Gamma Delta alumna Andrea Pendleton, CLAS ’05, EDU ’23. “We do this for our organizations, but that translates to our careers and family and friends in other ways too.”
Andrea Pendleton
Pendleton, who holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and women’s and gender studies and a master’s degree in higher education leadership from Mercer, never thought she’d make her way to the top of Alpha Gamma Delta. But here she is, in her second term as international president.
The Atlanta resident is connected to Mercer not just as an alumna but as the former director of development for the College of Pharmacy. Pendleton, now director of giving for Herschend entertainment company, began her alumna volunteerism with Alpha Gamma Delta as a chapter advisor at Brenau University and then became the new member and philanthropy advisor for Georgia Tech’s chapter.
Wanting to get more involved, she next took on the role of president of the Junior Circle young alumni group in Atlanta, became a member of the volunteer service team that supports new chapters, and was named the sorority’s first diversity, equity and inclusion chair.
She served as international vice president for four years and was elected as international president in 2024, becoming the first Black woman to hold the top position in any of the 26 National Panhellenic Council sororities (NPC). This does not include the four sororities in the separate National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). This summer, Pendleton was re-elected for a second two-year term.
“I’m really grateful that I have an opportunity to be an example of someone who can be a woman of color and be in leadership positions and how welcoming our sorority community is to women of all backgrounds,” she said. “(I’m) really urging our sisters to have high standards in everything they do, but then also to lead with love as women in their chapters, on their campuses and in their communities. That helps us not just grow but make an impact on the world.”
Lyn Harris
Lyn Harris, CLAS ’83, earned a bachelor’s degree in history at Mercer and a master’s degree at Georgia College & State University before beginning her career as a history teacher. However, her continued love for Chi Omega caused her to turn it into her full-time focus.
After serving as a Mercer chapter advisor, she moved to the national level of the organization as a travel consultant in 1989 and took over the chapter visitor program later that year. She was a member of Chi Omega’s professional staff at its Memphis, Tennessee, headquarters for most of the 1990s.
When she moved back to her hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee, she served as national archivist for 20 years and recently transitioned to archivist emeritus. She was honored with the President’s Award during the 2022 national Chi Omega convention.
“As an archivist, I love tradition and I love our heritage, but I also am excited to see us grow and adapt and change and be welcoming to all, so that’s been an exciting thing to see over my years,” Harris said.
Harris has traveled to more than 100 college campuses over the years, and the proof can be found on a sweater she wears with buttons from these locations.
“The people … that’s our secret sauce,” Harris said. “Our leadership on the national level is second to none. We only have five governing council members, and I’m good friends with all of them. Some of them I hired. It makes me want to be a better person. We’re from all over the country.”
Abby Elrod
Abby Elrod, CLAS ’08, also chose to make her sorority her career. Upon graduating from Mercer as a double-major in communication studies and women’s and gender studies, the Macon resident’s first job was a one-year assignment with Phi Mu as a traveling chapter consultant. After earning her master’s degree in teaching at Georgia College & State University, she taught high school in Macon for six years.
After the birth of her first child, Elrod decided to take a break from teaching and was asked to supervise Phi Mu’s chapter consultant program, a role she held for one year. She transferred into a membership recruitment position in 2020 and last year became the chief experience officer, through which she supports the programming, education and day-to-day services of Phi Mu’s 127 collegiate chapters.
“Joining a sorority changed the trajectory of my life in a lot of ways. It gave me confidence to do things that I never would have done (otherwise), and the opportunity to meet people and go outside my comfort zone a little,” Elrod said. “I think the relationships are a really key piece of it. That’s why I keep going back; that’s why I stay. Those are really special and meaningful to me.”
She also spends a lot of time working with other National Panhellenic Council organizations since she is Phi Mu’s chief Panhellenic officer. Through this role, she has enjoyed being able to see how sororities support and impact women from a wider scope.
“I’m thankful to be here, and I feel lucky and find a lot of value in the work I do,” Elrod said.
Grace Albright
Becoming an Alpha Kappa Alpha was a childhood dream come true for Grace Albright, CHP ’20 ’23. The public health Double Bear transferred to Mercer for her junior year and joined Alpha Kappa Alpha as a senior.
While the COVID-19 pandemic limited her on-campus sorority experience, she made up for lost time as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha’s graduate chapter in Savannah. A few years later, she presented her mother with her induction pin as she joined the Macon graduate chapter, a special moment for them both.
“I’m grateful for the relationships, the bonds, the opportunities I’ve had not just for networking but truly cultivating lifelong relationships,” said Albright, who works for the City of Savannah as the special projects coordinator for the chief of community service and is currently pursuing a doctorate in public administration.
Since finishing her studies at Mercer, Albright has served as captain of her graduate chapter’s Sister Squad and member of its Sorors Cares and Sisterly Relationships committees. She also chaired the Greater Savannah National Pan-Hellenic Council’s Sunshine Committee (GSNHPC). Currently, she is her chapter’s Gen Next Committee co-chair and GSNHPC representative and the president of GSNHPC, the youngest to serve in this capacity.
“One of the things I have enjoyed the most, especially as president of the council, is learning more about what the other organizations do and their perspective and building those external relationships,” she said. “I’ve had the opportunity to build some really lasting strong relationships. We’re all coming together for this centralized mission of service.”
Jennifer Arends
Jennifer (Brown) Arends, J.D., CLAS ’92, has been involved in Alpha Delta Pi as an alumna since the early 2000s, while simultaneously helping manage her family’s businesses. Today, she and her family live in Greenville, South Carolina.
A psychology major at Mercer who went on to earn a law degree, Arends served as chapter advisor and lead chapter advisor at Furman University and alumnae resource director before becoming an international officer. She was a collegiate province director, vice president of philanthropy for the Alpha Delta Pi Foundation board, and in 2019 was elected as one of six international vice presidents for the organization. She rolled off the board this summer after completing her third term and is currently serving on the 2026-28 board nominating committee.
“I had lots of really close connections with a lot of women who were in college trying to figure out their lives, and that was extremely meaningful to me,” Arends said of her time as a chapter advisor. “Then, (decisions at the board level) are a way for us to continue to remain relevant and show young women why Greek life is beneficial to them.”
Being in Alpha Delta Pi helped Arends grow as a person, and she’s enjoyed building relationships and serving as a role model to young members who will one day lead the organization.
“We’re giving them those opportunities to learn this leadership with a little oversight and mentorship. It all trickles down to those women and being a part of that. Every role I’ve had with Alpha Delta Pi, I’ve learned so much. Being in those roles has made me a better businesswoman,” she said.
Jakimva Martin
Jakimva Martin’s involvement with Sigma Gamma Rho has fostered personal, professional and spiritual growth and facilitated connections with women across the world.
The Dublin resident attended Mercer until her junior year in 1999 and finished her psychology degree at Georgia College & State University. Sigma Gamma made such a positive impact on her at Mercer that she chartered Georgia College’s chapter and served as its first advisor. Today, she remains connected with Sigma Gamma alumnae from both institutions and beyond.
“For me, it really broadened my perspective just on life in general. It really gave me a wider view of the world,” said Martin, the lead school psychologist for Laurens County Schools. “I am a very private person. Sorority life definitely had to change that. Being able to be connected with these other women who had similar goals, similar drives in life, that kind of helped to override my personal preferences of how I engage with the world.”
Martin previously served as the Southeastern region director for Sigma Gamma and currently is the international Philo coordinator. Philos are adult women who are not members but affiliate with the organization to support its mission of “greater service, greater progress.” Martin is working to strengthen and expand the affiliate chapters.
“I like meeting people, learning new things about them and learning how together we can make life better not only for us but the people around us. At the international level, you have an amazing opportunity to do that,” Martin said. “I never imagined this (leadership opportunity) for myself, but I’m so thankful that Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. was able to give me those skills. The experiences that they’ve given me to be able to learn, be molded and grow are just amazing.”
Emily Thornton
Ties to Phi Mu have supported Emily Thornton, CLAS ’12, through the different stages of her life and career. As a Mercer student majoring in journalism, she interned with the sorority’s national headquarters, and those connections led to a public relations job with a Phi Mu alumna.
From there, she moved to Indianapolis to do development work for Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and the Indiana University School of Health & Human Sciences. Then, she transitioned into donor relations, first with Butler University and then with Stanford University Athletics, where she’s been since 2024.
“In every single step, it was all about the network, and that network really started at Phi Mu,” Thornton said. “So many of my close friendships as an adult have come from Phi Mu in one way or another.”
Her local volunteerism as an advisory board member for the Indiana University-Indianapolis Phi Mu chapter for six years led to volunteering at the national level. Since 2015, Thornton has served in the national alumni department, including as alumnae ideation committee chairwoman, alumnae engagement chairwoman and currently as national alumnae coordinator.
She is also the vice president of the Indianapolis alumnae chapter and is involved in the Phi Mu Foundation. Thornton was named Volunteer of the Biennium during the national Phi Mu convention in Atlanta this summer.
“For me, Phi Mu has helped be a constant when things change so much throughout your life,” she said. “It’s been a very grounding experience, and I’ve gotten a lot out of it. So, I want to give back to other members.”
Rebecca Heath-Brown
Nearly 40 years after joining Zeta Phi Beta, Rebecca Heath-Brown, CLAS ’90, has remained involved because of how the organization impacted her as a student.
“Being a part of it, I had to represent more. I had to speak up more than I would have. (Without Zeta Phi Beta), I would have just faded into the background,” said the Macon resident.
Heath-Brown, who holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Mercer, met her husband as a Mercer student and has devoted her career to accounting, working with her husband’s local CPA firm.
As an alumna, she has been a constant source of support to Mercer student members, often donating items they need for their house, preparing welcome bags and helping members attend conferences.
“I love meeting so many intelligent young ladies and going on to see what they become in life,” Heath-Brown said.
Beyond the local level, she has served as the vendor coordinator for regional conferences and on the rituals and ceremony team for international conferences. She was inducted into the sorority’s 2025-26 Southeastern Region Hall of Fame.
“Joining a sorority will give you a group in which you can do greater things for the community,” she said. “Imagine what one person can do, but then when you have a group, you can really benefit the community. Don’t forget to reach back and help someone else.”
