The Fraternity believes that the development of the individual as a responsible, mature member of society is the primary goal of the university today.

ZBT’s Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI) is the first experience with the greater ZBT Brotherhood for most of the participants. It’s an honor to help these brothers in their first or second years in the Fraternity learn about the broader impact they can make. ELI has been offered since 2016, but the format of this program was new for 2024. ELI is now a virtual cohort experience that culminated in an International Convention in-person leadership development track.

Selected brothers had to apply. Eleven brothers from chapters across the U.S. engaged in this work this spring.

About the participants

• Average age: 19
• All joined ZBT in Fall 2023, and so were in their second semester as a brother during this cohort.
• Legacies: 2
• Leadership roles: 3 participants were newly elected to an Executive Board role at the time of ELI. Two more brothers serve their chapters in a Chair role.

The brothers in this program had an incredible experience and said they feel a stronger charge to take ZBT’s values back to their communities.

“ELI has pushed me to consider what issues to tackle back on campus in the fall and given me the tools I need to address them,” said Jared A. Levy, Lambda (University of Texas at Austin). Brother Levy, a New York City native, was inspired in fall 2023 to co-found the Yalla for Israel project.

The exclusive track at 2024 International Convention in Washington, D.C., for ELIs was granted at no cost to the participant or the chapter.

“ELI is a great experience to become familiar with the broader aspect of the fraternity you just joined. It can teach you how to grow professionally, and positively influence your chapter. It’s also a fun, organic way to know brothers from other chapters, and build those connections which will be useful down the road,” said John W. Laskey, Alpha Alpha (Purdue University) 2027. Brother Laskey is from Fort Thomas, Ky. He was elected as the Chapter’s Communication Director in mid-2024.

Brother Aidan J. Siegel, Rho (University of Illinois),
recorded a testimonial about his experience to assist in recruiting the 2025 ELI cohort.
Watch on ZBT social media.

This cohort is so important to the future of the Fraternity, developing brothers who first become Chapter Presidents and officers, and often become engaged volunteers, alumni leaders and engaged community members. ELI would not be possible without the support of the Zeta Beta Tau Foundation and its generous donors.

Thank you to the Zeta Beta Tau Foundation for supporting these and many other opportunities to maximize personal development and prepare brothers to be leaders of society. Learn more about your Foundation at zbtfoundation.org.

• Share this article