This past year, four students founded Epsilon Xi Pi (EXP), Trinity’s newest fraternity since Phi Sigma Chi in 1996. EXP aims to foster community for Tigers of all backgrounds and cultures. Their members have already started their activities, beginning with the Student Involvement Fair on Aug. 27 and Greek 101 on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
The organization’s co-founders are Alexis Ibarra, senior political science, Spanish and global Latinx studies triple-major, and Leonardo Guzman, sophomore political science major. Together, they said they found a common objective in creating a multicultural fraternity and fostering more inclusivity and family among the Trinity community.
Ibarra said his inspiration for the fraternity came from sorority Delta Theta Nu, the first multicultural sorority on campus. Ibarra was also motivated by the desire to create a home for international students.
“The big thing was to try and create a multicultural fraternity,” Ibarra said. “After we saw Delta Theta Nu’s success in the last two years, we thought it was a perfect time to have a multicultural fraternity now.”
Guzman said his experience as a first-year exploring fraternity culture influenced his own idea to start a multicultural fraternity.
“I didn’t really see myself fitting into other fraternities. They were all really chill, but I just didn’t see myself in it,” Guzman said.
Upon discovering that Ibarra had originally envisioned a similar goal for a multicultural fraternity, Guzman messaged him. They began working on getting the idea off the ground. Cameron Lilly, senior marketing major, and Wyatt Kenny, senior Earth and environmental geosciences major, would later join Ibarra and Guzman to help fulfill the 18-student minimum and make EXP a reality.

Breona Jones, FSL coordinator, shared her thoughts on the fraternity and its new place on campus. She commented on the idea of a multicultural fraternity and brought up her own personal experience coordinating a similar organization as a student herself.
“I believe there is significant value in adding a multicultural fraternity to the community,” Jones wrote in an email. “It doesn’t take away from the existing community, but creates another home for students who have yet to find one.”
Benjamin Williams, associate dean of students, spoke about the excitement from interactions he had with the founders over the summer and his past experiences with other Greek life organizations.
“I think it gives people different perspectives and opportunities of how they want to engage,” Williams said. “I think it’s going to be a really, really great year both for Epsilon Xi Pi but also for the entire FSL community.”
Guzman and Ibarra said they hope to see the organization grow and foster more inclusive spaces on campus as the year progresses. Ibarra is excited for what the upcoming year could hold for the fraternity.
“We’re looking forward to this entire year, trying to see what we can do and build up,” Ibarra said.