The Theta Omicron chapter of Alpha Chi Omega has over 130 student members, providing each other academic and social support. Leaders on campus, in the classroom, and in the community, we are dedicated to developing ourselves as successful students and members of society while strengthening our friendships and sisterhood.

Sister Highlights

Katie Kauffman, 2012

My name is Katie Kauffman and I'm a senior from Olney, Maryland. I'm majoring in Mathematics with Computer Science and minoring in Brain and Cognitive Sciences, and I have a particular interest in computer graphics. I recently accepted a position with Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab in Maryland, and before I start the real world I plan on studying at ETH Zurich in Switzerland over the summer through MIT's international program, MISTI. I play varsity field hockey and varsity lacrosse at MIT and I have served as field hockey captain for the past two seasons. While I have been fortunate enough to have many opportunities at MIT, I owe much of my MIT experience to my sorority.

I originally came to MIT with a strong focus in athletics and academics. I went through recruitment my freshman year, but I wasn't quite sure if it would be right for me. During recruitment I met upperclassmen in AXO who I immediately looked up to. They were so accomplished, so comfortable with who they were, and they all had amazing career and life goals for themselves.

Joining AXO was one of the best decisions I have made at MIT. The same upperclassmen I looked up to in recruitment became my mentors and good friends. My brand new sisters came to my sports games and cheered me on, and helped me in my classes. I felt so welcomed, and I knew I had found a home at MIT. These past years at MIT have been the best of my life, and I know AXO is a large part of the reason why. I have served as sports chair and class representative for AXO. I have also served as head recruitment counselor for Panhel (the governing body of sororities). I had the opportunity to move into the house my senior year and I am so happy I did! I love living with my best friends (and of course Chef David's food!), and I will greatly miss it. The leadership opportunities, the support system, the lasting friendships, and of course all of the fun are the reasons why I love AXO!

Marisa Jasso, 2013

Hi there!

I’m Marisa, a junior majoring in Materials Science and Engineering here at MIT. Hailing from the great state of Texas (howdy!), I love most things Southern—country music, home cookin’, and sweet iced tea. I also love AXO.

Joining AXO was one of the best decisions of my college career. Choosing not to go through sorority recruitment until my sophomore year, I was certain AXO was the right place for me. Our motto is “Real Strong Women,” which has come to develop a deeper meaning for me with time. We truly are a group of real women, strong women, and we’re especially diverse women. Driven, focused, and sincere, the girls I’ve met and the friends I’ve made are amongst the greatest women at MIT and beyond. Sadly, I acknowledge that times will change, friends may come and go, but I am thankful that the memories I’ve made – and those yet to be made—will last forever :)

Despite not holding an officer position, I spend lots of time at the house in Boston and strive to remain as actively involved in AXO as my busy schedule allows. Along with my studies, I am an active undergraduate researcher in a bioelectronics and biomaterials lab as part of the UROP program. I am part of the Gordon-MIT Engineering Leaders (GEL) program, and have discovered a strong liking for project managing and product development. I have mentored and coordinated the Materials Science and Engineering FPOP (freshman pre-orientation program), and am currently one of five officers on the MIT Club Sports Council. Although still a football fan, I fell in love with the game of rugby my freshman year, and am now currently the captain and president of the MIT Women’s Rugby team. Spontaneous, charismatic, and a bit of a perfectionist, I tend to always be smiling or laughing and having a good time. Life is short. The perfect date, I would have to say, is a day at the races (horse racing!) or a day out sailing. Oh, I’m also a film buff – Comparative Media Studies is my second major— so I’m always up for seeing a great flick :)

Ana Vazquez, 2015

I’m a freshman at MIT from originally from the South Side of Chicago who enjoys listening to music, playing the trumpet with MIT’s Wind Ensemble, philosophizing, shuffling to techno (Melbourne style), and learning in general. I’m teaching myself how to play some songs on piano in one of the Burton Conner music rooms, and I’m always drawn to projects that use technology to help people across the world. I am part of the Terrascope learning community, which focuses on solving complex problems involving large, dynamic systems. I’m planning on majoring in Aerospace Engineering (because flying devices [especially rockets] give me goosebumps). I also desperately need to make more time to read more about particle physics and quantum mechanics, now that I think about it.

I blog for MIT Admissions as well as for an organization called Latinos in College, which provides Latino college applicants and students with advice and support. Naturally, I love writing, so I also have a personal blog devoted to random things and poetry. In addition, I'm part of an engineering outreach program at MIT as a mentor to a brilliant 6th grader. Few things bore me, so I probably have a lot more interests that I haven’t discovered yet.

To be honest, a year ago I probably would have never thought of listing Alpha Chi Omega as part of my activities, but now I can’t imagine not being a part of such an amazing sisterhood. Currently, I serve as one of the recognitions chairs, which means that I get to bake (also one of my hobbies) and recognize sisters for good work they have done. Through AXO, I have met and grown close to amazingly kind, fun, ambitious, and passionate girls. Without a doubt I can say that thanks to them, I’ve become a more well-rounded person who is not afraid to try new things or think up of new ideas as well as gained a broader and deeper understanding of life in general and what makes it important.

AXO History

This past year we celebrated 25 years at MIT. In 1985 our chapter was founded thanks to 28 MIT women, formally known as the "Thalians." After exploring 26 different sororities, the women chose to affiliate with Alpha Chi Omega, recognizing the strength and support the national sorority would offer while still allowing us to express our individuality as a chapter. On November 26 the national organization officially formed a colony at MIT. After a colonization period, our chapter became the second National Panhellenic to come to MIT, signing the charter on April 26, 1986. In 1994, MIT bought a mansion on Commonwealth Ave. for our chapter and sisters from our chapter have been living there ever since. You can read more about our founding in an article from The Tech.

In August 2009, Marsha King Grady, Alpha Chi Omega's National President, awarded our chapter the National Council Trophy/Chapter of the Year Award . This award is the highest honor given by Nationals and is given to the collegiate chapter that demonstrates the highest standards of academic excellence, campus participation and leadership, sister unity, and Panhellenic spirit.

National Awards

2011 Seeking the Heights Chapter Management Award

2011 Seeking the Heights Member Education Award

2010 Seeking the Heights Alumnae and Parents Relations Award

2010 Seeking the Heights Member Intellectual Award

2009 National Council Trophy/Chapter of the Year Award

MIT Awards

2011 Panhellenic Spirit and Participation Award

2011 Kenneth R. Wadleigh Faculty Relations Award

2010 FSILG Honor Roll