Sydney Castillo was introduced to the University of North Alabama (UNA) by a beloved high school chemistry teacher. As curious as Sydney was about her teacher’s alma mater, her parents were initially hesitant to schedule a tour. As soon as they learned that living in Columbia, Tennessee made them eligible for in-state tuition, however, they were quick to plan their hour-and-a-half trip to campus.
At that point, there was no going back. “The tour itself was great, the campus was beautiful, and cost mattered a lot too,” Sydney says. “I also love Florence. I think it’s the perfect college town.”
Sydney can most certainly speak to the student experience at UNA. Her campus involvement includes Cole Honors College, LaGrange Society, ICE (student org related to Chemical Engineering/AICHE), and Alpha Gamma Delta. While she appreciates every single opportunity she’s had so far, it seems that Greek life holds a particularly special place in her heart.
“I can confidently say I don’t think I would have met even half the people I know today if it wasn’t for Greek life,” Sydney shares. “I always tell people it’s not for everyone—and that’s completely fine—but for many students, especially incoming freshmen, it can be one of the first big steps into getting involved.”
In Sydney’s case, getting involved helped her break out of her shell. While she wouldn’t use “shy” to describe her high-school self, she explains that she has “never been the loudest in the room.” Thanks to the opportunities Greek life provides, however, she feels prepared to take on leadership roles post graduation. In fact, she already snagged an incredible internship!
“I had an internship this past summer, and I vividly remember that my interview was heavily focused on my presidency—what it meant to lead an organization at a Division I university, how I handled responsibility, and how I worked with people,” she shares. “And what’s interesting is that the internship was for engineering—completely unrelated to Greek Life on paper—but that experience still translated. It felt like a full-circle moment, and it reminded me that people don’t always realize how Greek Life can play into other parts of your life later.”
At first glance, Greek life and other student organizations may not seem like they prepare students for their careers. But the more involved students get, the more opportunities they’re given to step outside of their comfort zones.
“Giving campus tours forced me to talk to new people constantly, and not just talk, but communicate excitement and confidence—to ‘sell’ the university in a genuine way,” Sydney says. “That experience built confidence. Later, serving as president pushed me even further—communicating with chapter members, advisors, university partners, and even our headquarters through calls and coordination.”
There’s no doubt that Sydney’s future is bright. In May 2027, she’ll graduate with a degree in engineering (with concentrations in chemical and management). Best of all, she’ll be a part of the very first graduating class in this specific program at UNA!
Although Sydney hasn’t decided if she’ll pursue a position in pharmaceutical manufacturing, the automotive industry, or the quality and sales side of the industry, one thing is for sure: She’s prepared. “I think it’ll be a mix of trial-and-error, opportunities, and connections that shape what I do first—and where it leads after that.”