Alpha Leadership Academy

Dear Brother,

“Alpha Phi Alpha develops leaders…” These words are taken from our mission statement, it is a reflection of what is accomplished at the fraternity’s primary educational program for our college men, the Alpha Leadership Academy for College Chapter Officers.

On March 3, 2012, the announcement of the 15th academy will be held June 9 ~ 15, 2012 at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. Each new class has a Greek-letter name and we are now on the Omicron class. To date, approximately 350 Brothers have received training during the week-long event.

The purpose of the academy is to provide a thorough and intense experience for young men who have been elected to a leadership role at the various levels of our fraternity. What makes this program unique is the student development foundation on which it is based. Several student development theories will be used as the theoretical framework within which it operates. Topics addressed include the Student Wellness Model for holistic development, involvement theory, moral development, service learning and many more. The Wellness Model will be of particular importance because it allows us to tap the cognitive, social, spiritual, physical and cultural dimensions of the college brothers’ development.

The academy’s faculty is comprised of brothers who are outstanding training and development specialists as well as student affairs practitioners who work with college brothers on a daily basis and whose expertise will add to the breadth and depth of the overall program. The program is facilitated under the direction of Brother Dr. Ralph Johnson and is supported by our Education Foundation, which is chaired by Brother Dr. Waldo Johnson.

This program produced several Assistant Regional Vice Presidents, Assistant District Directors and leaders of our college chapters. The Alpha Leadership Academy is an investment in the future of our college brothers, the future of our fraternity and the future of our country.

Under my leadership as Midwestern Regional Vice President, the region ranked #1 or #2 for four years in college brother attendance. We encouraged and supported participation to this powerful program. I ask that you and your chapter strive to get a college Brother to attend this year. It will be an investment that will reap great rewards down the road.

For More information: Contact Brother Dr. Ralph Johnson directly at 443-538-7602. You may also reach him via Email: Rjohns1706@gmail.com.

Fraternally,

Brother Mark S. Tillman
Candidate for 34th General President
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

A Message for College Brothers

Dear Brother,

Let’s keep it 100% REAL! Alpha Phi Alpha is an expensive organization, you still want a different intake process, and sometimes it feels like you are surrounded by too much Alpha politics. I’m not writing you to ask for more money, inundate you with the normal political platform stump speech, nor attempting to shut you out of developing your sense of independence and commitment.

I’m writing to simply say that I understand your frustrations, and I understand what it means to be a college brother within a large organization. I understand you feel we have good alumni brothers, but quite removed from the collegiate experience; yes, college days did swiftly pass.  It’s a tough reality. One in which we all share the burden. But allow me to be blunt…. I do need your support to help re-engage the average college brother who feels that those vices I listed above sully their Alpha experience. I need your support to improve these stale and repetitive problems facing our Alphadom.

Our cherished history talks about the fasces, the symbolism of strength in numbers that adorns our shield. That symbol asks us to remain connected through an ideal. That ideal is the belief that Alpha Phi Alpha is an organization for us all, an organization that represents us all, and an organization that will work for us all. It is imperative that any person leading Alpha Phi Alpha make Alpha work for us all. But let’s be crystal clear, Alpha Phi Alpha has many levels of the brotherhood experience.

You have fresh new college brothers on the yard, stepping, strolling, programming and keeping a social energetic life in the frat. You have brothers just removed from college in grad school or just beginning jobs who are finding ways to stay engaged. You have young alumni brothers situated in a chapter, making moves to become successful. You have middle-aged alumni brothers with families, and years on their jobs. And you have our seasoned brothers, those who have many many years in the fraternity, who remind us how we must love and cherish Alpha for what it is.

From the moment I was initiated into our great fraternity as a 19-year-old college student, I have been able to maintain the feelings of my collegiate experiences even through the rigors of everyday middle aged family life.  And, as General President, I shall always maintain and relive those experiences from college through you, our life blood.

Programs like the Alpha Leadership Academy and College Life to Corporate Life will be expanded to benefit you, and every member from every college chapter. I will work hard to make sure if your chapter is “at-risk” that it will again become sustainable.  I will support you and every college brother to meet academic expectations.  When you graduate and start your family, we will have affordable activities that allow you to continue to strengthen your fraternal bond. I will need you to lead committees, or serve in capacities that will excite our young brothers, because they see themselves moving the organization.

My point is this, there are many ways brothers engage within Alpha. But at the very beginning they start and emerge as our college brothers. For many of us, this is where it all began. This is the inception of our understandings of Alpha Phi Alpha. I have not, nor will I ever, forget to take care of my college brothers. I got ya back!!!

I open myself to you. I want you to feel connected to me and trust in my leadership.  Together, with all hands on deck, we can make Alpha the best it can be.

Being on the Yard is a different world than being in an office. Let me know how we can keep the yard connected to all brothers so that they learn, and never forget, those college days….even if they do swiftly pass.

You have comments?  Contact me!
Suggestions?  Contact me!
Concerns?  Contact me!

I am committed to YOU!!!

Alpha Phi Alpha is a great organization. When we take care of each other, and make solid goals, there is nothing we cannot do. My investment ideals will keep us on task. But understand this, our work is amazing and we are making strides.  Please give me your support, and together, let’s aim high.

Contact Me!!!

Fraternally,

Brother Mark S. Tillman,
Candidate for 34th General President
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Phone: (248) 579-5741
Email: marktillman@thealphainvestment.org
Facebook: Mark S. Tillman
Twitter: alphainvest06
Skype: mtillm01
Website: http://thealphainvestment.org