Members of Adelphi鈥檚 Delta Sigma Pi chapter joined hundreds of business students for networking and professional development at the 56th Grand Chapter Congress.
Last August, Gabrielle Stafford found herself exploring downtown Palm Springs, California with new friends from New Mexico, Arizona and right there in the Golden State鈥攃onnections she鈥檇 made during . Stafford and other members of Adelphi鈥檚 chapter attended the biennial event, held August 6鈥�10, 2025, thanks to funding from the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, joining hundreds of Deltasigs across the country for four days of networking, leadership workshops and fraternity business. 鈥淏eing able to meet people through the commonality of Delta Sigma Pi who were from different places and pursuing different careers was definitely the most valuable part,鈥� Stafford says.
For Stafford, the 56th was an opportunity to expand her network and develop her professional skills. As vice president of chapter operations and a voting delegate, Stafford got an inside look at the legislative process. 鈥淚 was really excited to learn about the process of voting and to be in a parliamentary procedure-style election,鈥� she says. 鈥淭o be able to think about the operations of the organization and how changes could affect certain things was really valuable.鈥�
Sam Dotterman, an Adelphi Deltasig who attended the conference as an alternate delegate, also enjoyed learning about how organizations function. 鈥淭hat was the best part of the whole conference鈥攈earing what the other chapters across the country are like and how they operate,鈥� he says.
Connecting, Problem-Solving and Plenty of Networking
Talking with other Deltasigs helped Adelphi members brainstorm solutions for issues their chapter faced. 鈥淏eing able to connect with chapters that are the same size who had the same problem and hearing how they approached it was really valuable,鈥� Stafford says. Those conversations inspired them to build local partnerships for fundraising events and service hours.
Outside of legislative meetings, conference attendees could participate in education sessions led by alumni working in different companies. Sessions covered various business- and career-related topics, such as AI in the workplace, leadership development, how to land competitive internships and networking. Dotterman, who鈥檚 interested in a career in financial services, received practical career advice, from how to format his r茅sum茅 to the importance of applying for internships early.
He also appreciated the opportunity to build networking skills. 鈥淚 hadn鈥檛 had the experience where I鈥檇 fly across the country and have to talk to a bunch of new people,鈥� Dotterman says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 a really good skill to develop.鈥�
His networking paid off: He met an alumna on the flight to California who鈥檚 helping him apply for an internship.
Founding Deltasig Alumna Sings the Fraternity鈥檚 Praises
Networking and professional development opportunities like this are exactly why Deborah Viola 鈥�84, PhD, a founding member of Adelphi鈥檚 Delta Sigma Pi chapter and current Robert B. Willumstad School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board member, supports events like the Grand Chapter Congress. 鈥淟earning how to network when you鈥檙e younger is so beneficial鈥攊t鈥檚 much harder to acquire these skills once you get older,鈥� she says. Many of the relationships she built as a Deltasig continue showing up today. 鈥淵ou may not keep in touch with the folks you aligned with when you were younger every day, but chances are they鈥檙e in your field,鈥� she notes.
Social events at the conference facilitated these connections. Stafford鈥檚 casual basketball conversation at arcade night with a group of entrepreneurs made it easy to connect with them the next day to learn about their startup. 鈥淚t made people more approachable,鈥� she says.
Beyond individual connections, the conference format itself helps students develop as business professionals. 鈥淧ersonal and professional growth really comes from attending these conferences and meetings,鈥� Dr. Viola says. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e in business, you really need to understand others鈥� perspectives, and as a student, you challenge yourself more and appreciate what you鈥檙e learning in class.鈥�
To maximize these benefits, Stafford recommends full participation. By attending as many sessions and social events as possible, she met professionals in fields she鈥檚 exploring, like forensic accounting. 鈥淚鈥檝e been interested in forensic accounting for a while, but it can be hard to find people who are in the field, as it鈥檚 a bit more up-and-coming,鈥� Stafford explains. Showing up to events gave her the opportunity to ask a forensic accountant about his experience working in the field. 鈥淭he things he didn鈥檛 like about it were things that really interested me about it, so that was kind of funny,鈥� she says.
Both Stafford and Dotterman returned to campus with strong connections and opportunities to pursue during their time at Adelphi. 鈥淭he experience has really continued to open the door,鈥� Stafford says.