22 Feb Lambda Lore: Ahmad Nassar
In this edition of Lambda Lore, we highlight Ahmad Nassar from the University of Albany Associate Chapter. He held nearly every position in his small but growing chapter, shaping its recruitment, leadership, and branding. Now working in post-production in Manhattan, he credits Lambda for strengthening his leadership, communication, and design skills—earning his chapter an award for best communication. Even post-grad, he continues mentoring younger brothers and advocating for causes he believes in. In 2023, he was featured in a news report while protesting for Palestine, wearing his letters, highlighting his commitment to using his platform to stand up for the community. His advice? “Do everything with purpose, and don’t take your time in undergrad for granted.” Read the full interview below:
Can you tell us about your experience in your fraternity during college? What were some of the highlights and challenges?
Something that I feel a lot of chapters experience is having good days and bad days, but in the end, you will always remember the good moments—like when new brothers join every semester.
From a social perspective, I enjoyed meeting new people and cultivating friendships. My first trip with my brothers was to GMU. It was a fun and memorable experience, meeting brothers from another chapter and seeing other chapters in the region interact with each other.
As a step master, I got to choreograph performances for showcase events. At first, I didn’t think of myself as a good dancer, but I did it anyway for the experience. Now, when I look back at videos of our performance, I think to myself, “Wow, I did that.”
Recruitment was tough because Albany’s Greek life is small, and there’s a lot of competition within the Asian community, but I like to focus on the positives and look at the good side of things.
How do you think being a part of Greek life contributed to your personal and professional development during college?
It really helped me learn how to take criticism. A lot of people struggle with that, but it’s an important skill—especially when running a chapter. Whether it was during elections, interviews, recruitment, or just navigating serious discussions, I learned how to get my point across effectively. A lot of people find it difficult to speak up in a group where they’re close with everyone and used to joking around, but Greek life pushed me to be more confident in serious situations.
What specific skills or values do you feel you gained from your involvement with the fraternity?
Definitely editing and design skills. I created a lot of graphics for our chapter, including recruitment videos and t-shirts. I love being creative, and it helped me build my portfolio while also giving our chapter a stronger presence. Social media is crucial—it’s how people see the work we put in. I put a lot of effort into it, and we even won an award from the IB for Best Communication, which helped put Albany on the map.
In what ways did your chapter help you build a network of connections both during and after college?
It’s a tricky question because we were such a small chapter. I was only an Alpha, and there were only charters before us, so we were in the early stages of building the chapter. But joining the brotherhood opened doors for networking, especially through events like the national convention.
Even after graduation, I still help younger brothers with recruitment and give advice on designing flyers or other materials. I always try to reach out if anyone needs to vent or has issues within the chapter because I don’t like seeing conflicts or miscommunication tear a chapter apart.
How has being a member of your fraternity influenced your career path or choices post-graduation?
I wouldn’t say it directly influenced my career because I’ve always been passionate about design, but it definitely strengthened my credentials. During my time as an active member, I designed t-shirts and promotional videos, which helped me build a strong portfolio.
Post-graduation, I’ve gained a better understanding of how to articulate myself. Holding leadership positions taught me how to overcome self-doubt, lead others, and make my voice heard. It’s rewarding to be able to express myself and have people follow my direction.
Can you share any experiences or lessons learned from your involvement in Greek life that have been particularly valuable?
The biggest lesson I learned is not to take things for granted—especially in undergrad. Having a close-knit community around you is something special, and people don’t always realize how valuable it is until it’s gone. When you leave college and go back home, it can feel lonely. But you always have the choice to reconnect with your chapter and stay involved in something you care about.
Don’t have regrets. You’re going to make mistakes, but don’t dwell on them. People will remember the impact you make, so do everything with purpose and keep your head high.
Reflecting on your time in your fraternity, what advice would you give to current college students considering joining Greek life?
It’s something that will change your lifestyle—but in a meaningful way. As cliché as it sounds, Greek life gives you a community through both the good and bad times. It gave me so much, and I put a lot into it because I saw its potential. My advice? Go for it. You only miss the opportunities you don’t take.
Especially with a smaller community like Albany, have you seen any growth in the chapter since graduating?
At first, the chapter mainly recruited brothers of Asian descent. But over the years, we started focusing on brotherhood as a whole rather than just ethnicity. We’re no longer just East Asian.
When recruiting, you have to be open-minded, especially if your school isn’t as diverse as you’d like it to be. Albany has opened its doors to anyone. If you’re a good person, it shows.
Do you have any advice for graphic designers in a chapter?
Figure out how you want your chapter to be perceived—what vibe you want to create. I designed things based on my personal aesthetics because no one else stepped up, but it worked because people liked it. If you’re still learning, look at other chapters for inspiration. Don’t overthink it.
You’ve held a lot of positions in your chapter. How do you get other brothers involved and motivated?
For me, it was about making sure everyone felt involved in the process. A lot of times, leadership can feel exclusive, like decisions are made without input. But I always opened up my ideas for discussion. Since our chapter was still new, first-time events like our gala or performances helped keep people motivated.
Reaching out individually also makes a huge difference, even if it’s tedious. Just asking, “Are you coming to the event tonight?” makes brothers feel more included.
How did you manage your time while juggling leadership positions and other responsibilities?
On top of being chapter president, I was also the president of my school’s Korean Student Association—so it was hectic. I managed my time by blocking out my schedule efficiently, whether it was for dance practice or chapter meetings. Any gaps in my day, I’d use for myself.
Some people think that kind of schedule is toxic because it seems like there’s no personal time, but I didn’t want to waste any moment. I enjoyed seeing my hard work pay off. And even when things didn’t work out, at least I was doing it with my brothers. I’m a big community person, and to me, community is everything.
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About Lambda Phi Epsilon
Founded in 1981 at Los Angeles, California, Lambda Phi Epsilon International Fraternity, Inc. has grown to become the world’s largest Asian-interest fraternity. Lambda Phi Epsilon (ΛΦΕ, also known as LFE) aims to guide men on a lifelong discovery of authenticity and personal growth. To learn more, visit https://lambdaphiepsilon.com.
Lambda Phi Epsilon Contact
David Kim, President
Lambda Phi Epsilon International Fraternity, Inc.
david.kim@lambdaphiepsilon.org
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