By: Becca Najjar, Senior Communication Studies Major
After a few months into the school year here at the University of San Francisco, I am pleased to introduce the president of Lambda Pi Eta, Azkia Muhammad. This is his first year as a member of the society, as well as his first year serving as president for LPE. He has already done quite a bit in the last few months with LPE, and I got the chance to ask him all about it.
Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself and your connection with LPE?
Muhammad: “I am a senior communications studies student at the University of San Francisco. I began my career here in the fall of 2015. I had the opportunity to join LPE starting this year. During my break from college I did a lot of work with different companies that were in the hospitality industry, so when I joined LPE, I had a lot of experience with leadership and was offered the president position.”
Azkia Muhammad, President, LPE
Q: For those who are unfamiliar, can you describe what is LPE is?
Muhammad: “LPE is the communications honors society here at the University of San Francisco. Acceptance into the society is a testament to one’s academic achievement at the school. An overall 3.0 GPA out of a 4.0 GPA scale is required, as well as the completion of three communications studies courses. Those classes require a 3.2 GPA.”
Q: What are some of LPE’s values?
Muhammad: “Our name reflects our values as a resemblance to what Aristotle wrote in his book, Rhetoric, as the three modes of persuasion. So the first mode of persuasion is logos which means logic. This is our first value, emphasizes that logic plays a major role in deliberations and problem solving in every aspect of our lives. Pi means Pathos, or emotional appeal, and captures the driving force that makes an organization essential and successful. The last mode of persuasion, and “Eta” in our name, means ethos, or character credibility and ethics. Ethos is something we strive to attain and maintain in this society.”
Q: If there was on thing you wanted to tell people about joining a club/society such as LPE, what would you say?
Muhammad: “Our organization here at USF is extremely small and we don’t have the budget to do huge events, but in terms of networking, the benefits are huge. It is definitely worth going to an event so because students can meet people who are academically and professionally driven. If one does join LPE, he or she will be able to connect with LPE alumni from all over the country and have something in common, which is huge when making connections for a career.”
Q: Why did you join LPE?
Muhammad: “I joined because I wanted to meet people who had similar interests, and as a transfer student it was really helpful in meeting people.”
Q: What are your roles and responsibilities as president of LPE?
Muhammad: “As the president of LPE, I oversee all of the events we put together, make sure everyone is informed about what is coming up, and speak directly with our faculty. It’s cool having this position because I feel I am a good and helpful liaison between the faculty in LPE and the students who are participating.”
Q: What is your favorite part of your experience with LPE?
Muhammad: “My favorite part of LPE so far has been Career Night. LPE put on a special event called Career Night where local professionals came to speak to students about their careers since college. It is possibly our best event for marketing, and being able to connect with professionals who work with companies which we may, one day, want to work with.”
Q: What are the events that LPE is hosting this semester?
Muhammad: “In addition to Career Night, we have also hosted Pizza with the Profs. In the future we will be having Pi Day, where our members make homemade pies and give the funds to a nonprofit that our society will chose.”
Q: Do you have any advice for the future members of LPE?
Muhammad: Take advantage of it. You are in a small organization that allows for a lot of opportunity; if you have ideas, they will definitely be heard. You have an opportunity to make this your own, and that isn’t something you will find with bigger organizations. Suggest ideas for events, ideas that could help with LPE awareness, or whatever else you think will benefit the society and its members.
Q: Is there anything I should have asked you?
Muhammad: I think you got it!
