This fall, Kris became chairman of the College Panhellenics Committee of the Indianapolis-based National Panhellenic Conference, the umbrella organization for 26 international women’s fraternities and sororities.

She was appointed to the position by the Executive Committee of the NPC and will serve a two-year term at the helm of the committee that works directly with College Panhellenics, advising them on recruitment procedures and Panhellenic organization.

While Kris said she is honored personally by this appointment, the achievement is also a recognition for Phi Mu in that she is the first Phi Mu in modern times to serve in this capacity. “I am so excited about this opportunity for myself and Phi Mu,” the Bainbridge, Ga., resident said. “All the work that I have done for Phi Mu has truly been to help our  organization to grow and benefit from our association with the NPC.”

Julie Burkhard, chairman of the NPC, said Kris brings strong credentials to her new position with the NPC. “I have known Kris for four years,” Burkhard said. “During this time, we have had many opportunities to talk about the future of the Greek community, primarily as it relates to the work of the National Panhellenic Conference. The experience, the visionary thinking, the enthusiasm and the wonderful skills that Kris has when working with interfraternal colleagues make for an effective leader and College Panhellenics Chairman.”

Following her 1986 graduation from Michigan State, Kris became a chapter consultant for Phi Mu and then worked in the executive office as director of membership for two years. From 1994 to 1998, she served on Phi Mu National Council as public relations and editorial director and as national extension director. Kris became Phi Mu’s first alternate delegate to the National Panhellenic Conference in 1998, and since 2002, she has served as National Council’s vice president Panhellenic.

For the last nine years, she has served on numerous NPC committees, including the Recruitment Process Study Committee, which completed an intense study of recruitment practices and developed 13 resolutions that were adopted in 2003, and the Public Relations Committee, which worked with a public relations firm to develop a positioning platform and branding campaign for NPC.

“I never thought I would be so involved with Panhellenic,” Kris said. “The value of Greek membership is just unbelievable, and I enjoy telling the story of the value of sororities, which are leadership training centers for women on college campuses. It’s exciting to be part of that power that advocates for women and their involvement in sororities.”

The mother of two boys, ages 8 and 13, Kris said over the years she has enjoyed working with young Phi Mu women— especially the members of Alpha Epsilon chapter at Florida State University, where, until this year, she served as membership adviser.

Kris said she views her full-time volunteer job, which includes frequent travel, as a way of giving back to Phi Mu. “Phi Mu has given me so much, and it’s my responsibility to continue that.”