“An Hour of Power” – Empowerment through Endowment, Leadership through Legacy

Alpha Phi Foundation is dedicated to supporting enriching leadership programming, a fundamental priority of the Alpha Phi experience that provides benefits at all stages of life. This commitment to empowering women is significantly bolstered by generous leadership endowment funds like the Susan Weiskittle Barrick Leadership Endowment for Leadership Enrichment, which sponsored Dr. Lori Hart as a speaker at the 2025 Alpha Phi Leadership Conferences.

The Susan Weiskittle Barrick Leadership Endowment: Fostering Female Leaders
Established in 2012, the Susan Weiskittle Barrick Endowment for Leadership Enrichment provides unique opportunities for the leadership development and intellectual fellowship of Alpha Phi women. Named after Susan Weiskittle Barrick (Beta Omicron-Bowling Green), who generously sponsored Dr. Hart’s session, this endowment embodies Alpha Phi’s pledge to support the next generation of women in leadership roles.

The Barrick Endowment is designed to connect, educate, and inspire Alpha Phi women of all ages and backgrounds. It offers engaging and unique experiences through speakers and special programs that fuel ideas, productivity, and achievement. More than just expanding leadership development beyond the classroom, work, and home, the endowment creates a platform to teach advanced leadership skills, address leadership issues and barriers, and further the understanding of women’s leadership. This initiative allows Alpha Phi to return to its historic role in a larger dialogue about important issues, specifically the empowerment of women.

Dr. Lori Hart Inspires at the Alpha Phi Leadership Conference

For the 2025 Alpha Phi Leadership Conferences, Dr. Lori Hart was invited to speak at both conference weekends, ensuring all chapters received the same impactful programming. Using this generous endowment to fund these sessions allowed the Barrick Endowment to influence and impact Alpha Phi leaders on a significant and tangible level.

Dr. Hart brings a wealth of experience, holding an undergraduate degree in Education from Auburn University, a master’s degree in education from the University of Montevallo, and a doctorate in Higher Education from Georgia State University. She works with numerous campuses and national organizations, and also serves as the Director of Educational Initiatives for Holmes Murphy Fraternal Practice.

At the Leadership Conference, Dr. Hart led attendees in a robust interactive discussion entitled “An Hour of Power.” “An Hour of Power” is an engaging session that delves into the concept of power within relationships, communities, and organizations, encouraging participants to understand and embrace their own power to influence change. Dr. Hart utilized real-world experiences to provide examples of how attendees can step into their chapter leadership roles and make an impact. She encouraged members to reflect upon how they are leading their chapters and ensure they are building power with their members through collaboration.

“The session with Dr. Hart served as a great reminder that you can make change through motivation and determination. I feel empowered to return to my Chapter and enact change.”

Alpha Phi’s Investment in Future Leaders
Funded by the Foundation, Alpha Phi’s annual educational Leadership Conferences are intensive training programs attended by chapter officers and volunteers. These conferences provide collegians with opportunities to network with officers from other chapters and learn from accomplished alumnae. Through these off-campus experiences, attendees build strong professional foundations and establish lasting support systems. Ultimately, these programs are designed to equip Alpha Phi women to be mission-driven, results-oriented leaders, prepared to elevate their chapters and make a significant impact in the world.