By Sondra White ’87 

jay skye was only 15 years old when they traveled to Albany, New York, from their hometown of Rochester to lobby for student rights, marriage equality and gender expression freedom. They attended with a youth group, Gay Alliance of Genesee Valley for Equality & Justice Day. “It was a formative experience because I learned the importance of advocacy and activism for myself but, more importantly, for others.” 

The trip was inspiration for the educational and career path that later led to Texas A&M University, where they now work as chapter operations specialist and adviser to the Multicultural Greek Council, part of the Office of Sorority & Fraternity Life in the Department of Student Activities.  

jay credits their grandmother Dorothy Skye for giving them the confidence and strength to believe in themselves so they could advocate for others at an early age. “My grandma is the backbone of our family,” they said. “I am who I am because she raised me after my grandparents took me in as a child. Because of her, I have been able to overcome so much adversity in my life and owe so much of my strength and resilience to her. As difficult as it can be to live so far from my family, every conversation we have ends in laughter and love.” 

jay's path to serving students  

jay attended Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), where they completed a multidisciplinary degree with concentrations in mathematics, women and gender studies, social and behavioral sciences, American Sign Language, and Deaf studies.   

While attending RIT, jay joined Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority Inc. (CUS), which allowed them to continue developing as a leader. After graduation, they completed a year of service with AmeriCorps, and later earned a master’s degree in higher education administration from the University of Rochester. “I worked for Fraternity & Sorority Affairs and in the Paul J. Burgett Intercultural Center,” they said, “and I had the great opportunity to establish a chapter of my CUS sorority on campus!” 

Their involvement and commitment to Chi Upsilon Sigma earned jay a seat on its National Board of Directors, and they are now serving as chair of the Board of Trustees, which focuses on the long-term vision of the organization. “The development and support I found in CUS shaped me into the professional I am today,” they said. “Our values - leadership, service, sisterhood and character – are the things that guide my decisions.” 

These experiences have taught jay firsthand about the invaluable support system that fraternal organizations provide to first-generation, marginalized and minoritized students. “I’m passionate about equity, inclusion and access in higher education,” they said. “No matter where my career takes me, I will always advocate in these areas. I love to use my skills to give back to my community.”  

Crafting and a cat 

In their free time, jay enjoys crafting, sleeping, and spending time with their partner and cat. “I joke that my apartment resembles Michaels, but it’s true! I love crafting and have realized that I enjoy rotating my hobbies: I try things for a few weeks or months and then I’m on to something new! I grew up drawing but since attending college I have tried different things like painting, creating digital art, stickers and cards, stamping, Cricut, beadwork, and most recently crochet.”