The history of the Phi Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi began in October 2023, when students Olivia Kelly and Jessica Jones connected with Mikeiveka Sanon, Areas III and IV Chapter Education Resource Coordinator, to explore establishing the fraternity at the University of Tampa. With guidance from Mikeiveka and Brendon Albert, Director of Project Development, and support from faculty advisors Dr. Katie Weaver and Professor Julianna Kralik, the foundation for expansion was set.
By the end of Fall 2023, an interest group had formed. From this group, Alyssa Rannekleiv was appointed Chapter Secretary and Joseph Petriello became Chapter Treasurer. Soon after, interviews filled the remaining officer positions: Andrew White (Vice President of Rituals), Victoria Logan (Vice President of Professionalism), Sara Braunstein (Vice President of Fundraising), and Kaija Ahlmann (Vice President of Brotherhood).
The following semester, the officers began weekly board meetings and submitted their application for campus recognition. On February 1, 2024, the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement approved the application, officially recognizing the group as a registered student organization. Recruitment soon followed, promoted through social media campaigns, tabling, flyers, classroom visits, and word of mouth. From March 11–23, 2024, the chapter hosted five recruitment events and two interview days, enrolling 22 new members. On April 21, 2024, all members and officers were formally inducted into Alpha Kappa Psi by Kimberly Lewis, Atlantic Coastal Program Manager, closing the semester with 30 students.
That fall, the chapter launched its Fall 2024 recruitment cycle, inducting 26 new members on September 22, 2024. Following induction, the chapter introduced its first Bridge to Brotherhood program, facilitated by Jessica Jones, Ainsley Jeffers, Rachel Needleman, and Olivia Kelly. On November 10, 2024, the colony reached a historic milestone as 56 founding members were officially installed, and the University of Tampa Colony was chartered as the Phi Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi.
Beyond recruitment, the chapter quickly established a presence on campus through professional, service, social, and fundraising events. Notable highlights included hosting University of Tampa President Theresa Dahlberg at a chapter meeting organized by Victoria Logan, and a large-scale service initiative led by Olivia Kelly in partnership with JL Blessings, where members packed and distributed 124 backpacks to families in need across the Tampa Bay Area.
In Spring 2025, the chapter expanded opportunities for involvement by establishing 10 Standing Committees: Auditing, Alumni, Professional Programming, Social, Service, Fundraising, Membership, Pledge Education, Marketing, and Technology. These committees allowed members to step into leadership roles and contribute directly to chapter growth.
That same semester, Phi Upsilon members achieved significant milestones:
Today, the Phi Upsilon Chapter is home to 63 members and continues to uphold Alpha Kappa Psi’s core values of brotherhood, knowledge, integrity, service, and unity—building on its strong foundation while growing as a respected and impactful organization on campus.
