March Alumni Spotlight: The Kissick Family

For the Kissicks, Kappa Alpha Theta is more than a sisterhood, it’s truly family. Spanning three generations, their shared bond reflects the lasting impact of Theta across time, from grandmother to mother to daughter. Their story is a testament to the connections, traditions, and memories that make Theta a lifelong home.

Names: Joan Kissick (1956), Stephanie Kissick (1987), Maggie Kissick (2024)

Major/Degree

Joan: Journalism

Stephanie: Communications, J.D.

Maggie: Strategic Communications

Hometowns: Leawood, Kansas

Joan

What’s one meaningful way Theta positively shaped your college experience?

“Just having friends who supported me. Friends who know you’ve got a big test coming up, or they know you’re worried about something, and they ask you how you feel or how you did. And they truly care, which is nice. It’s kind of like you’re at home with your parents and your family, and they would care if they were there, but the girls take the place of that.”

Why is it so special getting to share Theta with so many women in your family?

“Even though we were all in college at different times, we still have an interest in the chapter. And it’s just fun. Even though we all had our own experiences, it still feels like we’re part of the same thing. and I just think that’s really special.”

What was your favorite Theta memory?

“It was always fun to gather in somebody’s room and chat. It was really just spending time together: sitting in someone’s room, talking, laughing, catching up. It wasn’t anything fancy, but that’s what  sisterhood was to me.”

How excited were you when you heard that Maggie went Theta?

“I was over the moon. I just kept saying ‘What? What? You’re kidding me.’ I was so excited, because [Maggie] was going to be in the exact same place, same rooms, same buildings, same college, same major. I couldn’t be happier. I mentally envision [her] and what she’s doing, even though I’m not there. It’s so great.”

What’s it like getting to come back to the Theta house now?

“It’s really special getting to come back and see the house again. Most alumni don’t really have a reason to return, so they lose that connection over time. Being able to come back through [Maggie] has been really meaningful.”

Stephanie

What’s a favorite Theta memory that the three of you have shared?

“Initiation. We surprised Maggie and it was really special. I didn’t think it would mean so much, but being there with not just me but her aunt and her 87-year-old grandmother was really special. We were all crying.”

What’s a positive impact Theta had on you in college?

“It helped with my leadership skills, making friends, but also learning to live with lots of other girls with different personalities. Theta was especially important for honing my leadership skills. I always enjoyed lending a helping hand or being in charge of a project.”

What was your favorite Theta memory?

“One of my favorite memories was all the random dance parties we’d have in our room, out of the blue, probably because we were tired of studying. And my roommates and I would just have these dance parties. And I’m sure the people who lived below us hated us, but it was hilarious and so fun.”

What was your favorite part of Theta in college?

“I loved recruitment. Which is crazy, because some people don’t like it because it’s a lot of work. But I thought it was fun because the whole chapter would be working really hard learning stuff and working together. Recruitment was really one of the only things that everybody in the chapter got to do together, which I think was really special.”

Maggie

What are your career/life goals?

“After college, I want to work in account management. I’ve been an account manager for Matchbook Marketing, a student-run ad agency at Mizzou, and I really love working with clients and communicating their goals within an agency setting. I also really enjoy the leadership side of it, so I’d love to keep doing that after college.”

In what ways has Theta shaped the things you participate in on campus?

“Almost everything I’m involved in on campus is because a Theta recommended it to me! I feel really lucky to be surrounded by such a supportive group of girls who constantly encourage me to get involved, take chances, and go after leadership roles. Having that kind of support has made it so much easier to put myself out there and grow into the things I care about.”

What’s it like to share Theta with your mom and grandma?

“It’s really special to share Theta with my mom and grandma because it’s such a unique connection between us. We’ll compare

what things were like, talk about the house and different traditions, which is really cool. I also love being able to share what I’m doing and what’s going on within Theta with them. Theta feels so meaningful to me knowing they’ve been a part of it too.”

What is your favorite Theta memory?

“My favorite Theta memory was winning Homecoming in 2024! Coming from out of state, I didn’t fully realize how big of a deal Mizzou Homecoming was, but being part of all the prep really showed me how much it means. It introduced me to so many girls in the chapter I wouldn’t have met otherwise, and it felt like everyone was working toward the same thing. Seeing all of that come together and actually winning made it even more exciting!”

What does Theta mean to you?

“To me, Theta is the people. It’s having a group that pushes me to get involved, supports what I care about, and makes everyday life feel more fun and manageable. I’m so lucky to have the most amazing group of friends here, and sharing that connection with my mom and grandma makes it even more special. Seeing how Theta has shaped them, and experiencing it myself through friendships and opportunities to grow, has been so amazing!”