FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: W. Patrick Bryan, Director of Communications
Email:
PARSIPPANY, NJ — Lambda Theta Phi has named Jarrod Nibaldo Cruz (FB Gamma Gamma, Spring 2002) as the Fraternity’s full-time Executive Director. Director Cruz has been serving the Fraternity as interim executive director since July when the previous director, Byron Bustos (Omicron, Fall 1997), resigned after 5 years of service.
Director Cruz was selected following a lengthy internal search including 7 candidates from the Brotherhood. The Executive Director Selection Committee included brothers from across the nation with backgrounds of service to the Fraternity, and work experience in student affairs and Greek life. After an initial review, 3 candidates were identified for further review. Director Cruz was forwarded to the National Executive Board with unanimous approval of the Selection Committee.
ABOUT DIRECTOR CRUZ
Jarrod Nibaldo Cruz is a graduate of the University of Tennessee – Knoxville where he completed a B.A. in Political Science, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he earned an M.A. in Student Affairs in Higher Education. Director Cruz has worked for over 12 years in student affairs, spanning divisions of residence life, Greek life, and diversity programs. Most recently, Director Cruz has been working at the University of Florida as Director of Intercultural Engagement where he has worked to develop a department that focuses on the broader definition of diversity, including the intersections and complexities of identity, religious and secular student life, and American Indian and indigenous people. Director Cruz has also been serving as the Director of the University Minority Mentor Program, connecting nearly 300 first-year students with 200 faculty/staff mentors.
Director Cruz also serves as a consultant with the Fraternity/Sorority Coalition Assessment Project, whereby he is a member of a team that is invited by universities across the country to provide an objective assessment of an institution’s fraternity and sorority community. Assessment includes interviews and surveys with various stakeholders to provide a professional report on each community’s strengths and challenges, as well as actionable recommendations for enhancement.
Director Cruz was elected as City of Gainesville Cultural Affairs Board Member-at-Large, and is a member of the American College Personal Association (ACPA), the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA), and Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA).
Director Cruz has an extensive history of involvement within Lambda Theta Phi. Brother Cruz entered the Fraternity as a Founding Brother of Gamma Gamma Chapter at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville on March 24, 2002. Since his induction, Brother Cruz has held numerous leadership positions including Sector Vice President for Tennessee Sector 1, National Vice President and Interim Executive Director. Brother Cruz has also served as Lambda’s delegate to NALFO and NALFO Northeast Regional Vice Chair. As a member of AFA, Brother Cruz has also been a contributing author to the AFA Intake Resource Guide for NALFO, NMGC and NAPA organizations.
Director Cruz is clearly well-qualified and expertly suited for the work of enhancing Lambda Theta Phi as an organization, and developing its brothers as students, alumni and professionals. Director Cruz will begin his work with the Fraternity effective today.
###
Founded on December 1, 1975 at Kean University in Union, New Jersey, Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. is the first nationally recognized Greek-letter organization founded as a Latin fraternity. The membership of Lambda Theta Phi is open to all college men who support its values of scholarship, respect for all cultures, community service, and the advancement and fair treatment of Latinos in the United States. Lambda Theta Phi was the first Latin Fraternity to be recognized by the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC), and has over 140 chapters and colonies across the United States. More information about Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. can be found at www.Lambda1975.org.