Jax State Welcomes Alpha Psi Lambda As Its First Latino Greek Organization

03/13/2025

By Brett Buckner

It began, as most moments of change do, with a conversation. Last year, Oscar Juc-Ibarra was working as a desk assistant in the Dean of Students Office when he would occasionally talk with Assistant Dean of Students FranShay Kendal Garrett about the possibility of starting a multicultural fraternity at Jax State. Garrett approached Oscar with the idea, and he was open and excited about the possibility. Inspired by their conversations, Garrett researched different National Latino Greek organizations. She came across Alpha Psi Lambda, which was established on February 11, 1985, at The Ohio State University and has since grown to 59 Chapters in 21 states with more than 4,500 members.   

After Garrett attended the Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors Conference, conversations with Juc-Ibarra about bringing the fraternity became focused. "Oscar was all in," Garrett said. A student poll found that the level of interest among students was high. By the summer of 2024, Garrett and Juc-Ibarra were discussing the logistics of bringing the fraternity to campus. By the fall, with Juc-Ibarra serving as president, the work of making Alpha Psi Lambda a reality began. 

Alpha Psi Lambda, which is a co-ed fraternity, accepted its first class of six members - known as the Founding Line - last fall. The spring class is already welcoming new potential members. "Since we are a national fraternity and a part of the Multicultural Greek Council, our membership process is a bit different than the other councils on campus," said Juc-Ibarra, a 21-year-old junior. "We typically have recruitment the first two or three weeks of a school semester, and then we'll go through six to eight weeks of member training before becoming an official member." 

Alpha Psi Lambda is the first affiliate chapter of its organization in the state of Alabama. However, once they gain more members, they can submit a request to become the first chartered chapter in the state. The national organization decides whether to approve or deny the request. "They're well on their way there," Garrett said. "Honestly, I'm hoping that next spring or fall, they'll have their charter." To remain in good standing, current members must maintain a 2.6 GPA and pay their dues. "It's nothing too strenuous in terms of requirements," said executive vice president Annette Vasquez, who was among the Founding Line. "Mostly be involved." 

Alpha Psi Lambda focuses on inclusiveness. "For the most part, being a Latino frat has been the main attraction to joining, especially by making history in bringing it to Jax State," said Juc-Ibara. "From the members, we were overjoyed because we finally accomplished what we were afraid of not completing. But we worked hard and pulled through, and now it's here." 

While Alpha Psi Lambda is a Latino fraternity, Vasquez and Juc-Ibarra wanted to clarify that it's not exclusive to Hispanic/Latino students. "Our mission and values embody that of Hispanic and Latin culture. Alpha Psi Lambda places an emphasis on unity and family," Vasquez said. "We hope to build bonds with each other to resemble a familia (family) so that we can grow together and be able to relate to like-minded individuals. We also focus on the power of community and helping each other."   

The fraternity provides opportunities for other Latino students to feel empowered as campus leaders. "They will have the power to continue inspiring others to do the same," Juc-Ibarra said. "As of now, we are growing, and we are making that momentum that we are here and have a voice. I am hoping with the buzz surrounding our fraternity, we can bring in more Latinos from around Alabama."  

In only its second semester, Alpha Psi Lambda has already received positive feedback. "Many students were proud that we were able to bring this fraternity to life at Jax State," Vasquez said. "We've gotten many comments saying that we're not your typical fraternity, and that goes to show how unique we are." If all goes well, Alpha Psi Lambda could be just the beginning.   

"It's going to grow our Greek community," Garrett said. "That is my number one goal - to grow the community and to give as many options as possible to our diverse student population. Even if you're not a member of Fraternity and Sorority Life, we believe that by having this organization on campus, incoming or potential students will have more options available to them in regard to Greek Life. It's all about helping students find a place where they feel at home on campus.