How a WGU Student Found Community Through Sisterhood
When Shawnette Jones enrolled at Western Governors University (WGU) to finish her bachelor's degree in business management, she knew she needed a university that understood what it meant to learn while working full-time and balancing everyday life. What she didn’t expect was finding a sisterhood that would become one of the most meaningful parts of her educational journey.
Like many online learners, she worried that earning a degree outside of a traditional campus might feel isolating. “I’d been a nontraditional student for years,” she said. “I needed flexibility, but I also wanted connection. I didn’t want to do this alone.”
That search for connection led her to Sigma Chi Psi Sorority, the first independent multicultural sorority created specifically for women pursuing higher education through online and nontraditional pathways. The organization offers support, community, and leadership opportunities for students enrolled in online programs, community colleges, technical and trade schools.
For Shawnette, discovering the sorority felt like finding a missing piece.
She first learned about Sigma Chi Psi through the WGU community forums. What immediately stood out was that the group was created for students exactly like her — women navigating career, life responsibilities, and coursework all at the same time.
“It was refreshing to find an organization that truly understood the life of an online learner,” she said. “I didn’t have to explain my circumstances or justify my pace. They just got it.”
While the sorority operates virtually to ensure accessibility, the sisterhood extends far beyond the screen. Members stay connected through Zoom, small group chats, and virtual study halls, but they also actively create opportunities for in-person local and regional connections. This includes organizing regional meetups and gatherings for face-to-face community service activities. These moments bridge the digital gap, fostering tangible bonds and real-world impact.
Today, Shawnette serves as the Engagement Officer for the Tau Mu chapter, helping plan activities that bring sisters together from across the country. Their events are intentionally varied so members can connect in ways that fit their interests and schedules.
What makes the chapter’s programming successful is consistency. “It’s those small, everyday moments that build sisterhood,” she said. “Showing up for Zoom calls, checking in on each other, sharing wins, venting about a tough class. Those things matter.”
The strength of that community became especially clear during a personal tragedy. While accelerating through her final courses, Shawnette lost her mother. Grieving while trying to continue school felt overwhelming.
“My sisters didn’t hesitate,” she shared. “Some drove from neighboring states to sit with me. Others gave me space when I needed it. When I was ready to return, they helped me prepare for assessments, reviewed my work, and kept me on track.”
Their support helped her take the break she needed and confidently return when she was ready. “That’s when I truly felt the power of this sorority. We may be online students, but this connection reaches far beyond the screen.”
Sigma Chi Psi opened the door to new leadership opportunities for Shawnette. Her journey began as a member of her chapter’s engagement committee before she stepped up as the chapter’s engagement officer. These experiences laid the groundwork for her elevation to the role of national events committee lead. Today, she collaborates closely with the national leadership team to curate impactful experiences and shape programming that connects the sisterhood nationwide.
“It’s helped me grow professionally and academically,” she said. “Being surrounded by motivated women who are juggling the same things I am pushes me to stay focused and aim higher.”
This year marks the sorority’s fifth Founders Celebration, and chapters nationwide are participating in Spirit Week, virtual events, and other activities leading up to the milestone celebration in April 2026.
“We’re no longer just a new idea; we’re a proven community meeting a real need for online learners,” she exclaimed.
Looking ahead, Shawnette hopes Sigma Chi Psi continues expanding to support online and nontraditional students everywhere.
“My dream is that every woman pursuing a flexible education can find a place with us,” she continued.
For other students who are seeking community and connection, Shawnette’s advice is simple but clear: be intentional about making connections, both within the study body and by maximizing university resources.
“Sigma Chi Psi has kept me grounded through some of the hardest and most rewarding moments of my life. It’s the reason I never felt alone while earning my degree, and it has absolutely ensured that I don’t drift away from my academic and personal goals,” she said.
