Meet Eliana and Laura, our October Leading Women!

Congratulations to our New Member Directors, Eliana Cowling and Laura Boston, for successfully initiating our newest Thetas! They have put so much hard work into getting to know MC ‘25 and making their new member experience the best it could be. Learn more about Eliana and Laura, their roles as New Member Directors, and their love for Theta below!

Name: Eliana Cowling

Major: Business Management

Hometown: Trenton, MO

What did you love most about being a New Member Director?

What I loved most about being a New Member Director was getting to truly know the MC ‘25s. Each one of them brings such unique personalities, funny moments, and interesting stories to the chapter, and I’ve cherished every hour spent with them. Watching them grow and thrive in just a few short months in Theta has been the most rewarding part of it all.

What was your favorite memory during your time as a New Member Director?

My favorite memory during my time as a New Member Director was definitely watching Big Little Reveal. Pledge families are such an important part of Theta and specifically my experience in Theta, so it was so special opening the door and watching the new members run to their bigs on the lawn. It was especially rewarding after doing the behind the scenes work for the pairings. Seeing them all in real life was super special.

What was something you learned and grew from in your role this year?

This role taught me how important it is to show up for others and sometimes put their needs before your own. Being in such a front-facing role came with challenges, but it was so rewarding to see all the new members have an amazing experience during their new member period. I learned a lot about patience, teamwork, and the impact of small acts of support within our chapter.

What are your career and life goals?

After graduating in the spring, I hope to pursue a career in human resources. I’m currently in the process of securing a spring internship that will hopefully lead to a full-time position. I plan to stay in Columbia for a few years after graduation, so I’ll still be around!

What is your favorite part about your major and why did you choose it?

I love my major because it allows me to meet so many amazing people through the business school. My goal is to work in human resources because I’m passionate about helping others and fostering positive work environments. I enjoy being surrounded by people, and HR feels like the perfect way to combine my interpersonal skills with my professional goals.

What does Theta mean to you?

To me, Theta is a place where I can be my most authentic self. Whether I’m home with my roommates, eating at the house, or at a Theta event, I know the people around me love and accept me for who I am. Theta has taught me the true value of friendship and how important it is to surround yourself with the right people. I’m so grateful to have found my people here.

How has your experience in Theta changed you?

Theta has pushed me to step outside my comfort zone and take on challenges I never imagined - this role being one of them. When I first joined, I never pictured myself guiding 125 new members through their new member period, but the encouragement and support from this chapter helped me grow into someone more confident and capable. Theta has truly inspired me to reach my fullest potential.

Do you have a specific favorite Theta memory?

Living in the 6-man my sophomore year is something I’ll always treasure. Living with 101 girls, many of whom became some of my closest friends, was such an awesome experience and one of my favorite things I’ve done in college. We laughed ourselves to sleep every night, shared countless meals, and filled every corner of that house with memories I’ll never forget.

What advice do you have for our newly initiated MC ‘25?

Embrace every part about being a Theta! Being a Theta means so much: it means you’re involved, intelligent, a go-getter, and we certainly hold ourselves to high standards. At the same time, Theta is silly and goofy and so much fun. Really soak in all the little moments of the next four years, because they will fly by!

Name: Laura Boston

Major: Journalism (Strategic Communications) and English

Hometown: Litchfield, IL

What did you love most about being a New Member Director?

I have enjoyed so many things about being a New Member Director, but the part that I loved most was getting to be friends with the MC ‘25s! It can be such an overwhelming time, coming to college and joining a sorority all at once, and I enjoyed getting to know the girls, seeing them grow each week at the New Member meetings, and celebrating them at every event! Planning memorable events for the girls, such as Bid Day and different I-Week events, was so fun, and becoming their friend and someone they can trust was so special!

What was your favorite memory during your time as a New Member Director?

My favorite memory during my time as New Member Director was all of Bid Day! It was amazing to see MC ‘25 run home to Theta and watch the months of planning all become worth it. Watching the girls meet their Bid Day buddies, seeing the house decorated as Planet Theta, MC ‘25 bonding with their new sisters at brunch - it was so exciting! I loved meeting with all of them that night during the Movie on the Lawn event too!

What was something you learned and grew from in your role this year?

Something that I have learned this year is how to have more grace with myself and the people around me. Being in this position is so special, but it can be stressful at times. You are in charge of planning and executing many different events for the new members, and I think I have grown a lot in my time management, leadership skills, and appreciation of everyone around me who helped make this new member experience easier and more enjoyable.

What are your career and life goals?

In the future, I want to work as an editor and creative strategist for publishing companies! I love to read, so being able to help authors with the writing and editing process for novels and book series is a major goal of mine!

What is your favorite part about your major and why did you choose it?

I was originally a Journalism major, and I picked it because of Mizzou’s Journalism program being one of the best in the country. However, I quickly realized that I was also very interested in more creative/fiction writing during my freshman year, which is why I added my second major, English. My favorite part about my majors is the creative flexibility Mizzou offers and the number of resources available to me.

What does Theta mean to you?

The bonds I have made in Theta are ones that have changed my life. I have met my best friends in Theta, as well as gained so many other friendships, support systems, and growth opportunities. Theta is always having a friend to sit with in class, always having people to hang out with you at meals, and always having someone to go get coffee or go on random side-quests off campus. Most of all, the girls in Theta have pushed me to be the best version of myself and have supported me in every way possible in this role.

How has your experience in Theta changed you?

This experience has changed me to be much more confident, kind, thoughtful, and a better communicator. Being given this task to handle a majority of the operations of the new member experience can be a lot to handle, but with the support of my team and the hard work we put in, I am just so proud of everything we’ve accomplished. It has shown me that I can do anything I set my heart and mind towards.

Do you have a specific favorite Theta memory?

My favorite Theta memory is winning Homecoming sophomore year! It was amazing to feel that all of our hard work paid off in the end. Standing with my friends in Traditions Plaza and hearing our name called out was so fun and rewarding. You could just feel the love and pride everyone had for this chapter radiating in our circle of Thetas!

What advice do you have for our newly initiated MC ‘25?

My advice is to not doubt whether or not you are capable of doing the things that you really want to accomplish. If you have goals for yourself, just go for them with everything you have. Plan ahead, lean on your friends for support, and trust that you can do anything you set your mind to.