There’s a lot to consider when choosing a college. For Sadye Webb, growing up in a small community initially made her want to attend an SEC school. But thanks to her roommate’s insistence, she scheduled a tour of the University of North Alabama’s campus—and she was instantly sold. From that very first tour, UNA simply felt like home.
This feeling only deepened once she found her way to her sorority, ZETA. Although this sorority can be found on numerous campuses, she believes UNA’s culture and smaller size have made her Greek life experience all-the-more impactful.
“What makes fraternity and sorority life at UNA special is how close-knit it is. Even though our organizations may be smaller, that doesn’t mean we have less impact,” Sadye explains. “In fact, I think we have more impact because we truly know one another. If I see someone in Greek Life, I likely know their name. It has helped make UNA feel like home.”
There’s a lot to love about UNA’s culture, but one of Sadye’s favorite things has to be the impact ZETA, and other Greek organizations, have on campus and beyond. Their effort to give back and make a difference through philanthropy and service perfectly aligns with Sadye’s career goal beyond UNA: to become a teacher. Her biggest sources of inspiration? Her own mom and an English teacher from senior year of high school.
Sadye has seen firsthand the kind of impact a caring, thoughtful teacher can have on a student. So, in order to be like the two women she looks up to most, she’s going to utilize the leadership skills she’s strengthened thanks to Greek life. Plus, it’s safe to say that UNA professors have provided her with a blueprint for her own work as a future educator. Unlike many larger schools, UNA’s professor-to-student ration makes it easier to build meaningful relationships that extend far beyond graduation day.
“The rapport you build with students is what makes the difference,” Sadye says. “I’ve had professors who modeled that beautifully, and that’s something I want to carry into my career and into life.”
Sadye wanted to find a university that gives students access to unique opportunities that benefit them and their long-term career goals. She also wanted to build connections and friendships, some of which could last a lifetime. Ultimately, she trusted that UNA could offer her those things. Now that graduation day is quickly approaching (December 2026), Sadye can say with all confidence that say she made the right choice.
“I originally thought a large SEC school would allow me to reinvent myself. What I learned is that everything I hoped to find at a big school—and more—I found at UNA,” Sadye shares. “It gave me a place to grow and become who I wanted to be, while still feeling accepted, supported, and cared for.”