Shiloh Kiona Maples, Alpha
By Joanna Barrett, Epsilon Epsilon, Staff Writer
If there’s one student who’s making a difference on the Eastern Michigan University campus, it’s Shiloh Kiona Maples, this issue’s ASTonishing Collegian. As former president of the Alpha Chapter, Shiloh presented a speech on Alpha Sigma Tau’s 110th Anniversary for the Greek community at EMU about how civic engagement is related to the core purpose of all Greek organizations.
Her speech then made it into the hands of Steve Veldkamp, the Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Student Activities at Indiana University. He quoted part of her speech at the Association of Fraternity Advisors (AFA) awards banquet as he accepted the Robert H. Shaffer Award for demonstrating a long-term commitment to fraternities and sororities.
For her speech, Shiloh has received national recognition from Greeks on various campuses. Humbled and honored, Shiloh strives to fulfill the vision of our founding sisters and incorporate the core values in her daily life, and she is one outstanding student who has a strong involvement in civic service in the Ypsilanti community.
As a Social Work major and President of EMU’s College Panhellenic Council, Shiloh is in the process of starting a suborganization called Greeks Serving the Community (GSC).
“GSC aims at providing direct-service to our local Ypsilanti community, raising issue awareness, and helping motivate and change the way our Greek peers think about service,” explains Shiloh.
On campus, Shiloh also serves as a justice on the Greek Judicial Board and as a peer facilitator for the New Member Institute in EMU’s Greek Life to help acclimate new Greeks to the aims and purpose of the values-based community.
Outside the Greek community, Shiloh also volunteers at EMU’s Youth College Day, which is a two day event that brings in Ypsilanti high school students together and encourages them to seek higher education.
“At EMU, I discovered social work and Alpha Sigma Tau, which I sincerely believe are the two biggest catalysts for who I am today,” says Shiloh. “I have tried to take every opportunity available to me, and that extra effort has come back ten-fold in the amount of growth I’ve experienced. My experience in both arenas has culminated to a discernible purpose and has helped me understand that my personal and professional goals are indistinguishable.”
In addition, Shiloh has had internships at Alzheimer’s Association in Chelsea, Michigan and another while studying abroad at Brighton Unemployed Centre Families Project in Brighton, England. Last spring, Shiloh was a co-site leader for EMU’s Alternative Spring Break, where she led a group of Greeks to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi to build a house with Habitat for Humanity.
Graduating in April with her bachelor’s degree, Shiloh plans to continue her education in a masters program for social work, specializing in community development. Her long term goal is to open a community center that serves youth, families, and a community as a whole.
Being part of Alpha chapter has greatly impacted Shiloh’s growth as a leader.
“Seeing street signs like Pearl St. or just simply bearing the name Alpha chapter, are everyday reminders of the leadership and commitment that it took those women to create our organization,” says Shiloh. “The strength, support, and work that those eight women contributed is an inspiration to me, especially in a time when women had very little rights or power. It is my hope that if I stay faithful to my work and values as the founder’s did, that I will touch half as many lives as they did.”
