Syracuse University appoints Banks-Crosson to lead fraternity and sorority affairs

Syracuse University appoints Banks-Crosson to lead fraternity and sorority affairsApril 03, 2008Matthew R. Snydermrsnyder@syr.edu

Syracuse University has appointed Eddie D. Banks-Crosson as director of fraternity and sorority affairs in the Office of Student Life, a principal unit of SU’s Division of Student Affairs. Banks-Crosson, currently the assistant director of student life-Greek life at Jacksonville State University in Alabama, joins SU at the conclusion of a national search; his appointment at SU begins April 28. He is the first member of a National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) fraternity to hold the senior Greek leadership position in the SU administration.

“Syracuse University’s fraternity and sorority members have the tradition — and the responsibility — of being engaged, accomplished citizens of our University community and the world,” says Barry L. Wells, senior vice president and dean of student affairs. “This vibrant, diverse community deserves a smart, energetic and committed leader, and Mr. Banks-Crosson’s growing national reputation assures us that he will shepherd our students through ongoing improvements in vitality and self-governance.”

Banks-Crosson will be responsible for the overall management of SU’s 47 recognized social and service fraternities and sororities and the six councils that govern their activities, including the Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Latino Greek Council, Multicultural Greek Letter Council and the Council on Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. He will lead a University-wide effort to bring new strength and leadership to the Greek community, working collaboratively with students, Greek councils, chapter advisors, administrators, local community partners and national/international headquarters. His work will also facilitate greater engagement between SU and its Greek alumni, and will lead to enhanced educational excellence in fraternity and sorority affairs.

“Eddie is the fraternity and sorority affairs leader this institution has been waiting for, and I am confident that he will ignite student and alumni excitement about the opportunities and traditions of this proud University community,” says Juanita Perez Williams, associate dean of students in the Office of Student Life. “He has a passion for building student leaders, he is a national leader in engaging diverse fraternity and sorority communities, and he strongly believes in the fraternity and sorority mission.”

Banks-Crosson is an alumnus of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, which is a national member of NPHC, the international umbrella organization for historically African American Greek-lettered fraternities and sororities. He is well-known as a presenter at national fraternity and sorority conferences, and has been invited to serve as a presenter for Campuspeak, a national provider of expert speakers and programmers. His successful career in the private sector continued until his passion for student affairs led him to Jacksonville State University, where his leadership in Greek affairs resulted in progressively higher-profile roles on campus and in local, regional, national and international fraternity and sorority organizations. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from the University of Alabama-Birmingham and plans to complete his M.P.A. at Jacksonville State University this year.

“There’s an impending question within higher education today,” says Banks-Crosson. “Are fraternities and sororities relevant on college campuses across the country? They are, and I’ve made it a career to say so.”

For more information on fraternity and sorority affairs at SU, visit http://studentlife.syr.edu.