Eberhardt School of Business student Jennifer Guise ’20 has been named the 2020 Sierra Nevada Collegian of the Year for Delta Sigma Pi.

Pacific student-athlete named Delta Sigma Pi’s Sierra Nevada Collegian of the Year

Jennifer Guise ’20 found her way to University of the Pacific for familiar reasons.

“I came to Pacific because I fell in love with the community and atmosphere along with the small class sizes, which allowed me to really get to know my professors and peers,” said the Eberhardt School of Business student. “I was given an opportunity to walk-on as a student-athlete to play water polo here at Pacific, and it has been one of the most humbling and rewarding experiences in my college career to be a part of this championship program.”

Guise credited water polo head coach James Graham, associate head coach Joey Gullikson and her teammates for her collegiate success, but Graham gives her ample share of the credit, as well.

“Jennifer is a hard-working and dedicated student-athlete,” Graham said. “She puts her heart into everything she does and is an amazing teammate. We are so proud and fortunate to have her as a part of our program.”

Along with that hard work and dedication, Guise draws inspiration from her fellow Pacific students to be a leader who makes everything around her better. It was for that leadership she was recently recognized.

“It is an honor to be the 2020 Sierra Nevada Collegian of the Year for Delta Sigma Pi,” Guise said. “As a first-generation college student, I wanted to exemplify what it meant to me to be an Eberhardt School of Business student — diverse and hard working.”

She is graduating in May with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a triple concentration — management information systems, business law and human resources — and a pre-law minor with her sights set on law school after graduation.

“Jennifer did a fantastic job as a student in my Leadership and Change course,” said Professor Chris J. Sablynski. “She performed exceptionally well on written exams, individual papers and group activities. She took a leadership role in the classroom by actively participating in our frequent case discussions. Jennifer added depth and breadth to each one via her insightful comments and opinions.”

Guise has exercised that leadership as an active member of the Lambda Mu chapter of the professional business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi since her freshman year. She is the president of the chapter and has held a variety of leadership positions, including vice president of chapter operations, vice president of alumni relations and inter-chapter relations chair.

“This organization is very important to me because it allowed me to explore the possibilities of who I am as a leader, professional and as a person,” Guise said. “My goal has been to always find a way to improve myself, the organization and community one step at a time. The members of this chapter have been my inspiration to always improve and to step up as a leader to better the organization, Pacific and the community. This award was never for me, but for the appreciation for the Lambda Mu chapter.”

Delta Sigma Pi’s Collegian of the Year program was started 40 years ago and is the highest fraternity honor given to a collegiate member of Delta Sigma Pi.

“Winners are chosen based on multiple criteria, including inter-chapter Fraternity events, degree of leadership exhibited in Delta Sigma Pi, scholastic aptitude and more,” the fraternity’s Megan Allen said in an email.

To be a regional Collegian of the Year, a student must be nominated by the local chapter. Chapter Collegians are then evaluated and chosen by committees for each of the 31 regions.