From PNM to Pi Chi: How Head Pi Chi Bailey Found Community Through Sorority Recruitment

As an out-of-state student, I came to Clemson not knowing anyone and feeling unsure about what formal recruitment really entailed. At one point, I even considered not participating in recruitment at all because I was intimidated by the unknown and worried that I might not find where I belonged. However, after watching the recruitment webinars and learning more about the process, I decided to give formal recruitment a chance and I am so glad I did!

Recruitment quickly became one of the best ways for me to meet new people. I used the process as an opportunity to connect with as many women as possible, from active members across different chapters to other potential new members. I even met my best friend while standing in line during recruitment, and we have been inseparable ever since!

One of my favorite aspects of Clemson’s Panhellenic community is how genuinely close all the chapters are. I can confidently say that I have meaningful friendships with women in every single chapter on campus. A large part of that is due to my experience serving as a Pi Chi last year. As a Pi Chi, I had the opportunity to guide and support incredible potential new members throughout the recruitment process. I remember how much I relied on my own Pi Chi during recruitment, and I wanted to be that same source of encouragement and support for others. Now, as Head Pi Chi, I can truly say that a Pi Chi’s sole purpose is to support potential new members and help them feel confident, comfortable, and informed throughout the entire process!

My biggest piece of advice for anyone considering formal recruitment is simple: DO IT! Formal recruitment is an incredible way to meet women both your age and older right from the start. Being part of the Clemson Panhellenic community has provided me with countless leadership and service opportunities and, most importantly, lifelong friendships with women across all chapters.

Bailey Curran - Clemson Panhellenic VP of Recruitment Counselors (Head Pi Chi)


Madie and Madi

What has Love Beyond Letters meant for Madie Ross and Madi Dixon?

As best friends, roommates, and members of different Panhellenic chapters, the Madi(e)’s bond is a perfect example of how the Panhellenic community has built lasting friendships and support throughout college. Read on to hear how their involvement in Greek life has strengthened their bond and why joining the Panhellenic community has meant so much to them.

“My best friend and roommate, Madison Dixon, and I have built an incredibly close bond through our shared experiences in the Panhellenic community. While I’m in Alpha Phi and she’s in Chi Omega, our membership in Panhellenic has strengthened our friendship and deepened our understanding of sisterhood. Living together has allowed us to support each other through our journeys, celebrate each other's successes and navigate college and life as a team. All our friends know us as “the Madi(e)’s” and never see us apart! Being a part of such a tight-knit and empowering community has truly brought us closer, making our bond even more special.” - Madison Ross, Alpha Phi, PC ‘23

“Through our shared involvement in Panhellenic, my roommate and I have created a meaningful connection. From navigating recruitment together to now attending each other’s social events, our connection to Panhellenic has deepened our understanding of sisterhood and has allowed us to create a sister like bond, despite being in different Panhellenic chapters. Being Roommate’s has allowed us to always be there for each other, celebrating all the highs and even the lows as we go through our college journey. I would not want to be known as the “Madi(e)’s” with anyone else! I am so grateful to be a part of such a valued and driven Panhellenic community and how it has allowed me to create such a meaningful bond with my roommate and best friend.” - Madison Dixon, Chi Omega, PC ‘23

Sign up for Recruitment today from the link on the home page of our website!

Why Clemson Panhellenic?

Going into college, I was hesitant to sign up for sorority recruitment. I didn’t know if it was for me, but I signed up anyway—mostly because my friends were doing it, and I figured, why not? Whether you're feeling unsure like I was or already excited about the process, I want to encourage you: no matter where your head is at, step out of your comfort zone and sign up! Being a part of Clemson Panhellenic has by far been my biggest blessing in college. From freshman year, to now being a senior, I look back and see how far I have grown in all aspects of my life, and I know that the Panhellenic community at Clemson played such a major role in that.

Everyone’s recruitment experience is different. For me, I didn’t love it. I remember feeling overwhelmed and very homesick, as I had just moved into my dorm two days ago. With this being said, you probably won’t meet someone more pro Greek life than myself. Even though my week of recruitment was not what I at all expected, it taught me so much about myself and set me up so strong for the rest of my college experience. Recruitment has its ups and downs for sure, but that’s life! The relationships I’ve built and the memories I’ve made since the day I chose to join a sorority and stick with it have been what I cherish most about my college experience. So if you’re on the fence about signing up for recruitment, or you’re not sure if Greek life is “your thing,” I want to encourage you to give it a shot. Go in with an open mind and know that wherever you end up, you’re stepping into something really special.

Lastly, I want to emphasize that recruitment isn’t just about which sorority you join—it’s about becoming part of something so much bigger. From the moment you sign up for recruitment, you’re already a part of the Clemson Panhellenic community. And that community is full of women who are ready to support you, cheer you on, and walk with you through every step of this journey. Yes, joining a sorority is incredibly special—but the beauty of Panhellenic starts long before Bid Day. It starts the moment you take that first step. You don’t have to have it all figured out; you just have to show up. And when you do, know that we are so excited to welcome you with open arms.

Sometimes, the things we are most unsure about end up changing us in the best ways. That’s what going Greek did for me—and I hope you give yourself the chance to experience that too.

If you are wanting to learn more about Clemson Panhellenic and Fall 2025 Primary Recruitment, Check out our Potential New Member guide linked below or on the “Recruitment” drop down under the “Recruitment” Tab of our Website https://www.clemsonpanhellenic.com/

Wishing everyone a happy summer and I hope to see you in the Fall! Go Greek!

Lynley Blocker - Clemson Panhellenic VP of Marketing


Come find out how sorority girls can change the world!

Katie Bulmer is coming to Clemson March 4th!

Katie, her husband, and two daughters live in the mountains oof Chattanooga TN. Katie was a marketing major and has worked in television,  print, and social media advertising for over 15 years. Since the release of her book in 2018, she has spoken to over 70 colleges nationwide. 

Katie spends most of her days interviewing fascinating people for the Truth for Your Twenties podcast, serving as an online mentor, dropping funny and relatable nuggets of wisdom on TikTok, or searching for the best guacamole in Chattanooga. But her most proud contribution is the girls that DM her on instagram with their story of how something she said helped them realize they could change the world!

Katie Bulmer teaches sorority women about the multi million dollar power they have and how they can use this power to change their community and even the dating world.

Clemson Panhellenic is so excited to be hosting Katie Bulmer on March 4th in the McKissick Theatre from 5-8 pm! Fill out the attached google form to RSVP and we can’t wait to see you all there!

To learn more about the impact Katie Bulmer has made on sorority women around the country, check out the testimonial’s below!

Why Ella Became a Pi Chi: The Impact of Mentorship in Sorority Recruitment

“When I went through primary recruitment my freshman year, my Pi Chi was the best resource! Recruitment can be super overwhelming, but having an older girl who wasn’t just a mentor but also a friend really made everything feel so much more manageable. She helped calm my nerves and made me feel like I wasn’t going through it alone. By the end of the week, we had built such a strong bond, and she was there for me long after recruitment ended. She made my transition to Clemson so much easier. My Pi Chi completely shaped my Clemson experience and as soon as recruitment ended I knew I wanted to do the same for a group of girls just like me.

Serving as a Pi Chi during the 2024 primary recruitment was hands down one of the best experiences I could’ve asked for. I had 15 incredible PNMs who I absolutely adore, and I really took on their emotions, good and bad, throughout recruitment. It made it so much easier to connect with them and form genuine friendships. Not only did I get 15 amazing new friends, but being a Pi Chi taught me so much about leadership and how to be a better friend. The lessons I learned have stuck with me, and I use them in my everyday life. On top of all that, being a Pi Chi brought me closer to an incredible group of girls from different Panhellenic chapters. I’m beyond thankful for the opportunity to meet so many amazing women who were hand-picked for their kindness, leadership, and hearts.

This year when it came time to apply, there was no question, I had to be a Pi Chi again. Pi Chi Land is like nothing else!! Forming such amazing friendships with fellow Pi Chis and creating genuine connections with your PNMs is the best gift I could’ve ever asked for. Every long day is totally worth it when you see your girls running home on Bid Day. Revealing my affiliation to them was one of the best feelings, and I wouldn’t trade that experience for anything. Being a Pi Chi has truly changed my life, and I would choose it over and over again!!!”

Apply to be a Pi Chi today! Applications close January 19th, 2025

Click Here to Apply!