CAMPUSPEAK

Rick Daniels delivers keynotes and workshops to help stregthen diverse student leader communities.

The mix of students choosing to become involved in Fraternity and Sorority Life is constantly changing, becoming more diverse and incorporating multiple culturally-based traditions. It’s an ongoing challenge to build understanding, appreciation and a sense of community among students who call themselves “Greek” on any campus.

Rick brings a fresh perspective on ways fraternity and sorority organizations can achieve cross-cultural learning. He does it all with a tremendous sense of humor and a belief in the possibility of these students to come together, creating a rich and nurturing college community.

• Keynotes

• Tap Dancing Without Shoes: The History of Stepping and the Impact on Fraternity and Sorority Life
• Oh No! My Greek Advisor is Black! (or, Oh No! My Greek Advisor is White!)
• Go Hard or Go Home: Strategies to Fuel Your Organization’s Fire

Tap Dancing Without Shoes: The History of Stepping and the Impact on Fraternity and Sorority Life

The art of Stepping is growing more and more popular on college campuses. While this art form has been predominantly associated to historically Black Greek organizations, these groups are not the only ones using Step to express organizational pride and identity. In fact, in 2010, the Epsilon chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha—an NPC sorority—took home the championship in one of the largest step competitions in the country. While some Black Greek organizations find this controversial and argue that Step shouldn’t be co-opted by other groups, Rick believes the art of Step can create a foundation of unity and provides an opportunity for cross-cultural sharing.

“Stepping is not solely intended for, nor is it 100 percent tied to, African Americans,” Rick said. “It is a dance style rooted in African traditions, but flavored with modern Greek culture. The passion for stepping transcends all racial, ethnic and Greek boundaries.”

Stepping is becoming one of the most visible activities in fraternity and sorority communities, and it’s time for someone to bring some light to the traditions and the community development possibilities it offers so that it is appreciated, understood and thoughtfully perpetuated.

Students will leave Rick’s keynote with solid history of the art of Stepping, from its roots in the secret body language of African Gumboot dancing to adaption in African American traditions to references to World War II military marches and synchronized dance styles of early Motown artists. Rick emphasizes that Step, or variations thereof, are used by many modern organizations, including those made up of Christians, high school teenagers, Latinos, Asians and other multicultural groups. He will also present great tips on how to hold a successful Step event on your campus. Many campuses are bringing Rick in to speak in advance of a major Step event to help build excitement for the event and to expand the appreciation for those who might be experiencing it for the first time.

Ultimately, Rick helps fraternity and sorority communities realize that the beauty of this art form is meant to bring together—rather than separate—your diverse fraternity and sorority organizations.

Oh No! My Greek Advisor is Black! (or, Oh No! My Greek Advisor is White!)

Fraternity and sorority advisors are charged with the formidable task of providing guidance to all the different chapters and councils on campus. Sometimes, the issue of race can create a perceived barrier, and this barrier prevents students from seeking the advice from the one person who could best help them find solutions. In this keynote, Rick challenges both students and advisors to utilize the advisor role to advance their fraternity and sorority community, combat negative attitudes and behaviors and begin building strong relationships.

Rick shares how he has experienced the race barrier himself, first as a student who—wanting the familiarity and comfort of a Black advisor—dismissed his undergraduate advisor because she was White. As a fraternity advisor, he also describes his recent struggles to create meaningful relationships with historically-White chapters on his campus because they have felt he could not relate to them. Not understanding the different processes of recruitment/intake among various Greek organizations, as well as the different methods of programming, are other problems Rick identifies as plaguing a healthy advisor/student relationship.

In this keynote, Rick will encourage advisors and students to get past fear and misunderstandings, to use the benefits of an educational environment to learn more about different Greek organizations and to move beyond the minimum expectations of an advisory position. Both groups will also leave with distinct remedies to help them create a better Greek environment together.

If your Greek community is experiencing some tensions around advising for these reasons, you will find Rick’s session a valuable bridge builder. Think of him for a session at your Greek leadership day, or as a special workshop for the leaders of your various organizations. He will help to bring the doubts and fears into the open, building a foundation for a positive path forward.

Go Hard or Go Home: Strategies to Fuel Your Organization’s Fire

Organizations often struggle as a result of lack of direction, ineffective recruitment strategies and lost leaders. Rick challenges members of organizations to step up and drive their organizations to greatness, keeping in mind the question: What will I think of my organization in ten years?

Through customizing their values to the current state of their organization and writing their own personal mission statement, Rick nudges organization leaders to emerge and take power within their campus group. Some harsh truths are presented—members lobbying for change can’t always be the good guys and a lack of follow-through will not yield any results—and Rick leaves leaders with the challenge of putting their devotion to work. A great option for an officer leadership day, Greek Week or any event looking for powerful, practical tactics to empower campus organizations.

Rick's Bio

Rick is the Leadership Advisor for Greeks at the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater. In 2008, he received his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism with an emphasis in Advertising and a minor in Public Relations. Rick is currently pursuing his Master’s of Science in Education and Professional Development. Rick works with the IFC and Panhellenic councils at UWW, and he coordinates involvement groups such as the Warhawk Ambassadors, Brother-To-Brother college male group and the Whitewater New Professionals Association.

He is a devoted husband and the father of two children, Christian and Madison Elaine.