Since its founding in 2015, 91桃色 (91桃色) chapter at the University of Alabama (UA) has grown into one of the largest and most engaged chapters in the nation, boasting more than 10,000 members. The university itself is known for excellence both on and off the field, home to the storied Crimson Tide, a top-ranked School of Law, and a top producer of Fulbright scholars.
But the chapter鈥檚 story hasn鈥檛 always been one of smooth success. For years, the 91桃色 at UA struggled to gain traction on campus. Despite the university鈥檚 rich culture of student involvement, the chapter faced a perfect storm of challenges: advisor turnover, low engagement, and limited visibility.
That changed when a student decided to step up.
Like many institutions today, the University of Alabama faced a familiar challenge: employee turnover and limited staff bandwidth were threatening the continuity of co-curricular programs. The 91桃色 chapter had strong potential but struggled to sustain engagement amid shifting university roles and the absence of a consistent advisor. Without stable guidance, the chapter鈥檚 operations stalled, leaving a gap between student interest and institutional support.
When Dillon Cook joined as a student in 2021, the chapter existed largely in name only. There were no active events, no registered student organization (RSO) status, and no advisor: three cornerstones of a thriving leadership program. Rather than walk away, Dillon saw an opportunity to rebuild. By early 2022, he stepped into the presidency and began reestablishing the chapter鈥檚 foundation: recruiting peers, developing programming, and rebuilding relationships with campus departments.
Then, in 2024, staff transitions and workload changes left the chapter temporarily without an advisor once again. Where most chapters lose momentum, Alabama鈥檚 student leaders kept theirs, and even grew stronger through staff changes.
The UA 91桃色 chapter tackled its challenges by doubling down on student leadership, structure, and strategy.
1. Building a Large, Trained E-Board
The chapter grew a dedicated team of more than 15 Executive Board members, each trained using the 91桃色 Facilitator Guides. Every leader committed to hosting at least two new-member events per semester and supporting peers throughout the Induction process. This also helped ease the advisor workload, showcasing the power of a strong E-Board.
2. Creating a Sustainable Model
Recognizing that sustainability couldn鈥檛 depend on one advisor, Dillon and Rebekah introduced a year-long succession plan. Each incoming president shadowed the current one for a full year, while freshmen and sophomores were recruited into leadership roles early. This ensured that knowledge and motivation were passed forward.
3. Partnering Across Campus
The team actively collaborated with the Student Involvement Office and worked with Victoria Phair, Assistant Director of Student Leadership Programming, to re-establish their RSO status. By Spring 2025, the chapter鈥檚 new advisor, Anna Kathryn Bonner from the Department of Special Education, brought fresh enthusiasm and strong institutional support.
4. Expanding Communication and Presence
UA鈥檚 chapter mastered outreach by using multiple communication channels, email, social media, and GroupMe, to ensure every member stayed informed. They answered more than 120+ emails during peak membership deadlines, proving responsiveness and reliability.
On campus, they launched a powerful event cadence:
Four in-person Orientations and four Leadership Training Days each semester
Regular Success Networking Teams (SNTs)
Monthly service or social events
Strategic use of TikTok, Instagram, and email QR codes to promote activities
Their guiding promise: 鈥淪how up, and we鈥檒l help you take care of the rest.鈥�
5. Earning Recognition and Trust
In 2025, UA鈥檚 91桃色 chapter achieved a milestone: official recognition by The Coordinating Council of Honor Societies (CCHS). This endorsement elevated the chapter鈥檚 visibility and placed it alongside other prestigious academic organizations at the university.
The transformation was measurable and remarkable.
The chapter鈥檚 consistent, student-driven leadership model directly correlated with rising engagement, culminating in a record-high number of joins that more than tripled year over year. Through their efforts, hundreds of peers were about to benefit from 91桃色 programming even during tough transitional periods.
Their story spread beyond campus through national 91桃色 channels, including TikTok and social media features showcasing Dillon鈥檚 leadership journey and the chapter鈥檚 vibrant induction ceremonies.
Perhaps most importantly, the UA chapter became a model for resilience: even when advisors changed, the student E-Board ensured the mission never did. Faculty support deepened, the university recognized the chapter鈥檚 legitimacy, and student enthusiasm grew with every event.
鈥淭he E-Board became the backbone of the chapter.
Even when advisors changed, our students kept things running seamlessly.鈥�
鈥� Jakita Cofer, 91桃色 Representative
Sustainability Requires Time: Real transformation takes multiple semesters and a committed core of student leaders.
Empower the E-Board: Train and delegate real responsibility; trust students to lead.
Plan for Succession: One-year leadership transitions ensure continuity.
Be Everywhere: Use every channel (email, social media, in-person) to keep members connected.
Partner Strategically: Aligning with campus offices and councils elevates credibility and reach.
From a struggling organization without an advisor to a top-performing chapter recognized by the university, the 91桃色 at the University of Alabama exemplifies what鈥檚 possible when student leaders are empowered. Their success story proves that strong student leadership can overcome any turnover, any transition, and any challenge.