Founded on March 23, 1994 under the leadership of the founding mothers, Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc. is a progressive, multicultural Greek Organization that provides a means to success and support for womxn, particularly womxn of color. We are a cultural, social, educational and community service orientated sorority. The sorority builds on the unity of strong and independent leaders to affect change in our organization, our campuses, and our local communities.
The Alpha Lambda chapter was founded under the leadership of our Charter Class (not pictured): Kasya Alia Nor Ariffin-Chan, Breanna Marshall, Nathaly Cabrera, Cheryl Fang, Maggie Jin, Clarice Owen, Jessica Ren, and Katherine Tung.
Rochester Institute of Technology
The Alpha Lambda Chapter was founded on November 8th, 2015 by a group of 8 passionate women worked together to develop the foundation that would later form a lifelong bond of SYZterhood. Motivated by the values of our founders, these women aimed to foster a supportive community, and promote diversity and inclusivity.
We strive to be a community of pioneers and innovators offering opportunities for womxn to develop professional and interpersonal skills in service of education, cultural awareness, and our national philanthropy.
"Lead From The Front"
To combat violence against womxn in its varied forms.
To promote unity among womxn and the awareness of Asian/Asian American cultures and heritages.
MGC Council
Red and Gold
Yellow Rose with baby's breath
In 1999, the SYZters of SYZ formally adopted our National Philanthropy, to Combat Violence Against Womxn. The National Philanthropy of Sigma Psi Zeta is to combat violence against womxn in its varied forms. This includes but is not limited to the following: rape, incest, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, exploitation, the trafficking of womxn and children, the abuse of migrant workers, intimidation at work, child abuse, harassment, and spousal abuse. Any kind of physical, emotional, or mental duress constitutes violence.
To accomplish this, SYZters:
By embracing this ethic, our sorority aligns itself directly with the community we seek to empower, amplifying the collective voice of those affected. Historically marginalized by tradition and objectified by contemporary media as powerless, isolated, and subordinate, womxn—and particularly womxn of color—deserve dedicated advocates. We work tirelessly for the education, liberation, and growth of all womxn, leveraging our platform as undergraduate students and alumnae of higher education.
The widespread reality of violence against womxn knows no limits, piercing across diverse economic and academic backgrounds, impacting millions worldwide, and blocking the inherent right of women to fully engage in society. Sigma Psi Zeta remains resolute in our enduring dedication to unite behind our philanthropy, championing this cause both as a collective body and as individuals.
Fun Fact: Our alumni SYZter, Des "xerneAs" Amaya, helped RIT install the blue lights that you see on campus!
Sigma Psi Zeta is an official partner of the White House Initiative It’s On Us, and one of the first Greek organizations to partner with the initiative. It's On Us was founded in September 2014 as a campaign to end sexual assault on college campuses by spreading awareness. By partnering with this campaign, Sigma Psi Zeta aims to protect all those affected by violence.
We have philanthropy workshops and events to raise awareness of combat violence against womxn on campus.
We host an annual Asian Culture Festival to celebrate and educate the greater community about Asian Cultures.
