Kappas

Leadership Highlight: Junior Vice Polemarch of Kappa Alpha Psi’s South Central Province, Jeremy Patterson

This summer, the brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi held a conference for their Junior Vice Polemarchs (JVPs), the undergraduate brothers who have been chosen by the fraternity to represent regional leadership of the fraternity.

In an effort to highlight these young brothers, we at Watch The Yard reached out to the fraternity and were put in contact with them for interviews. Among these JVPs was Jeremy Cortez Patterson, a 21-year-old Spring 2017 initiate of the fraternity’s Beta Lambda Chapter at Lane College who is the Junior Vice Polemarch of the South Central Province which is made up of Kentucky, Tennessee and Northern Mississippi.

We talked to the Criminal Justice/ Political Science major about his position and goals.

Read the full interview below.

What does it mean to be a Junior Vice Province Polemarch to you?

The Junior Vice Province Polemarch is the principal undergraduate provincial leader. I serve in an advisory capacity to the Province Polemarch. I am a liaison to undergraduate chapters, and work closely with undergraduate Polemarchs with respect to programming and adhering to fraternity rules and regulations. The Junior Vice Province Polemarch endeavors to strengthen undergraduate and alumni relations and also encourages undergraduates to be lifelong contributing members to the fraternity.

What are the specific initiatives you are working on this year in your province?

Understanding and upholding the “Constitution & Statutes”
Bridging good Undergraduate/Alumni relations
Implementing public service on campus and in the community
Positive presence and involvement on campus
Strengthening the network of undergraduate chapters through brotherhood and unity

What are you doing this year to specifically support the undergraduate chapters that you represent?

My goal is to ensure that undergraduate brothers adhere to fraternity policies.

I also want them to know their role and to be effectively involved in all aspects of the fraternity. I encourage them to express their concerns and ideas in a structured manner.

What made you want to pledge Kappa Alpha Psi?

I was impressed with the fraternity’s commitment to excellence and its strong mission of brotherhood and public service.

What is it about your province that makes it so unique in Kappa?

The South Central Province has positioned itself as an entity where all brothers have a voice. Chapters are represented on committees and brothers’ opinions are valued. Our undergraduate brothers are constantly encouraged to be achieve excellence: personally, academically, fraternally and civically.

In what ways have you experienced mentorship from alumni brothers as a JVP?

Mentoring is important. Several brothers have supported me. Their guidance, wisdom and insight has been a source of inspiration. They have taught me the concepts of leadership and teamwork.

We now live in a digital world, what do you think undergraduate chapters across all orgs need to do to represent themselves online in 2018?

Brothers need to be conscious of their actions personally and technologically. They should be very mindful of the verbal, written and photographical manner in which they post (individually and fraternally). Responsibility and accountability are crucial elements.

Why do you think Watch The Yard is important to Black greekdom?

There are some realistic images. More importantly, I feel that the concepts should empower Greeks to strengthen civic engagement.

What does brotherhood mean to you?

A friendship unlike any other that is built out of mutual respect, admiration and love.

What do you plan on doing after graduation?

I plan to attend graduate school and obtain a Master’s degree in Public Administration. I have a multifaceted goal of entering the social/political arena and to also coach football on the collegiate level.

We at Watch The Yard would like to thank Jeremy Patterson and the brothers at Kappa Alpha Psi including Ryan E. Tucker, MPA, the Director of Undergraduate & University Affairs for making this interview possible.