Jade McGhee ’23 is passionate about helping people and building a sense of community. She embraced various opportunities to do both while attending Texas A&M University and, as a result, the Sachse, TX native rose to top leadership roles in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Finding Her Place

McGhee initially had difficulty finding her place on Texas A&M’s expansive campus. “I struggled with finding an organization on campus where I could make genuine connections while being surrounded by people who share similar experiences as me,” she explained. “This is why I joined Excellence uniting Culture, Education, and Leadership (ExCEL) and Black Student Alliance Council (BSAC) through the Department of Multicultural Services.”

She also was part of the Leadership Living Learning Community (L3C) as a freshman. This community focuses on developing leaders of character who are dedicated to serving the greater good.

Participating in these and other groups as well as her sorority helped McGhee realize that she did have a home at Texas A&M. “My favorite part about being an Aggie is the sense of family and traditions. To be able to go anywhere and meet an Aggie and be welcomed in open arms is extremely special,” she said. “My favorite tradition is the Aggie War Hymn. After Fish Camp I came home singing every word and ever since then I can’t wait until its played.”

She used these experiences to inform her service as part of Texas A&M’s Howdy Crew, which provides tours to prospective students. “I can be a representative for my community and show prospective students that they can come to Texas A&M and be embraced with open arms,” she said.

A Helping Hand

College gave McGhee, who was a member of Order of Omega Greek Honor Society for two years, the opportunity to learn how to ask for academic help. “As a science major, I began taking some very difficult science classes,” she said. “Going to Supplemental Instruction (SI) sessions helped me immensely and I was able to get a good grade in my class.” After that, she went to every SI session offered in any one of her classes.

The Allied Health major also used her time at the university to explore a variety of professional options. “When I came to college, I had an idea of doing something in the medical field, but I was not sure which route to take,” she explained. “After many internships and shadowing, I found that I have an interest in healthcare administration.”

In the fall, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in healthcare administration at Trinity University. “This degree will allow me the opportunity to work with nonprofit hospitals to impact communities in underprivileged areas by changing policies, creating programs to help and educate people,” she said.

Community Benefits

As she neared the end of her time in Aggieland, McGhee proudly pointed to the payoff she received for investing time and effort in campus life. “I knew when I came to Texas A&M that I wanted to do something more than just going to class every day,” McGhee explained. “By joining organizations, I was able to gain true friendships that will last beyond my four years here at A&M. I wanted to be able to grow not only as an individual but also gain valuable leadership skills.”

Much of her energy was devoted to Greek Life after she joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in 2021 and is served as the chapter’s president. “I am a legacy as my mother is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta,” McGhee explained. “Being able to join this illustrious sisterhood meant the whole world to me. Not only [was] I able to follow in my mother’s footsteps but I [was] able to be around so many inspiring African American women who [were] committed to giving back to the communities as well as taking a stand for things they believe in.”

Being part of Delta Sigma Theta deepened McGhee’s Aggie experience. “This organization really shaped my life, allowing me to grow and blossom into the woman I am today while also giving me amazing connections and memories I will keep with me for a lifetime,” she said. “Greek life allows you to grow in confidence and leadership skills and learn how to interact with many different groups of people. Greek life also opens many doors within the Aggie Network, allowing you to make connections that can lead to mentors, job opportunities and much more. I am very grateful to have been a part of the Aggie Greek Community.”

Read more about Greek Life at Texas A&M.