Educational Programs

Delta Upsilon offers many award-winning educational programs that have responded to the needs of our undergraduates effectively over the past year and half in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of our programs took on a virtual flair while retaining all the personal growth and impact for our undergraduate leaders that one would expect.

We also added an exciting new program, the Amplify DU: Recruitment Training Program, empowering our chapters to recruit the best and brightest as the next generation of brothers.

Our educational programs currently include: Presidents Academy (for our newly elected Presidents), Regional Leadership Academies (five academies taking place across North America for chapter Executive Boards and future chapter officers), DU Emerging Leaders Experience (for our freshman and sophomore up-and-coming leaders), Building Better Men Retreats (customized educational programs for the entire undergraduate chapter), Leadership Institute (a celebration of all things Delta Upsilon where business, education and awarding excellence collide), Global Service Institute (our award-winning philanthropy and service program), and our newest program Amplify DU (for our Vice Presidents of Recruitment and their recruitment committees).

All the programs above are supported by the Delta Upsilon Educational Foundation. The DUEF supports the Fraternity's educational programs in several ways, including grants to fund the programs and scholarships for students to attend. Currently, the DUEF is only able to partially fund these educational initiatives, and the demand for educational programming increases every year. Ongoing financial support from brothers and friends of DU will improve our undergraduate-focused initiatives and help DU keep pace with the changing college landscape.

As the graph shows above, in-person attendance dipped in the face of an ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as some programs could not be held. Both the return of these paused programs, as well as utilizing additional online engagement opportunities, are expected to increase the overall number of educational program attendees going forward. Our mission of Building Better Men is very much tied to increasing the percentage of chapter members who have engaged in at least one DU program during their undergraduate experience.

Program Impact and Testimonials

Presidents Academy

Presidents Academy accelerates the growth and learning of Delta Upsilon’s Presidents each year. Presidents from every chapter/associate chapter come together to participate in an institute-style program with a curriculum that emphasizes the mission and Principles of Delta Upsilon as a foundation for effective chapter leadership.

Held virtually this past year, DU was able to reach 64 Presidents from their homes and deliver the educational content to prepare them to achieve their goals for their term. After kicking off the weekend with teambuilding activities, participants had the opportunity to delve into their personal leadership styles and what can set them apart within their chapter, campus and life after graduation. They then went on to identify areas of concern and focus within their chapter to develop a vision and action plan.

"By attending Presidents Academy, I was able to form meaningful relationships with my fellow Presidents nationwide. These connections became invaluable during my term and will continue as lasting friendships into the future." -Ryan Duncan, Cal Poly '21

Emerging Leaders Experience

The Delta Upsilon Emerging Leaders Experience (DUEL) is a highly interactive program that encourages newly initiated members to create a deeper and broader definition of who they are and where they can have an impact. This program is typically held in Massachusetts in June. Due to the pandemic, the 2021 DUEL was held in New Orleans in July in conjunction with the Leadership Institute.

"DUEL not only gave me a great opportunity to develop my leadership skills, but an awesome opportunity to meet with and learn from brothers from all different chapters!" - Tyler McCoach, Kansas State ’23

"I want alumni to know that their contributions and legacies have set me up for a brighter future and a more well-rounded life." - Jake Dederer, Kansas State ’24

Regional Leadership Academy

The Regional Leadership Academies serve as a unique opportunity for chapter officers and future chapter leaders in a specific geographic region to learn about a wide range of topics affecting fraternity life today. Five RLA sessions are held in different geographic regions each year and are intentionally designed as an officer training platform to provide tangible skills needed for success as defined by the Delta Upsilon Officer Core Competencies.

Held virtually in 2021, chapter officers were able to choose from one of two Saturdays in February to attend RLA. The program featured general sessions, as well as small group breakout sessions that focused on a variety of different chapter operations and personal leadership development topics.

Building Better Men Retreats

These chapter retreats are tailored to meet specific chapter needs and are led by trained DU staff and volunteers. Retreats include defining effective brotherhood within the chapter, identifying chapter priorities and creating a plan of action.

Interested in holding a Building Better Men Retreat for your own chapter? We have spots open for this upcoming year. Inquire with your chapter liaison for more details!

Leadership Institute

As the annual Fraternity convention, the Leadership Institute serves as the highlight of the educational calendar. The Leadership Institute provides an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of a brotherhood that stands on a foundation of justice, while targeting educational content to meet the contemporary challenges of students and alumni.

A full Leadership Institute was not held in 2020, however, meetings of the Undergraduate Convention and Assembly of Trustees and an awards show were held virtually. The 2021 Leadership Institute (which falls in the 2021-2022 fiscal year) was held in-person in New Orleans this past July.

DU has taught me to internalize a sense of drive that others do not possess. I find myself out-working my peers and going the extra mile that defines what it means to be a man of DU." - Nate Carpenter, San Jose '22

"I feel like I’m learning a lot from the leadership seminars. I never imagined that once I joined a fraternity that they would be so invested in me and my future." - Jack Martin, Purdue Associate Chapter ’24

Global Service Initiative

The Global Service Initiative (GSI) serves a dual role for Delta Upsilon: our international philanthropy and an international service project.

Unfortunately, during the COVID-19 pandemic, DU had to pause GSI. The Fraternity is optimistic to resume it in the future and encourages all our chapters to continue fundraising for this important work as we prepare our undergraduate brothers to become true global citizens.

Amplify DU: Recruitment Training Program

In summer 2021, Delta Upsilon launched a new, summer recruitment program called Amplify DU. This virtual program is geared toward chapter Vice Presidents of Recruitment. Amplify DU consists of five recruitment webinars for all attendees, as well as three small group coaching calls and three guided GroupMe chats. Alumni Recruitment Coaches and DU staff facilitate the webinars and small-group discussion, and small groups consist of 6-10 chapters based on similar characteristics (campus type, recruitment timeframe, housed/unhoused chapters, etc.) and provide more focused recruitment coaching. One to two additional recruitment chairs/assistant VPs also can attend the webinar portions of this program.

As part of the training program, all participating chapters are eligible for incentives based on recruitment performance during the 2021-2022 academic year.

“Having a recruitment coach to chat with has helped me keep recruitment front of mind over the summer. We have a jump start on recruitment and are looking forward to a successful fall.” - Randy Manzano, Arlington '23