News | StudentsMarch 19, 2025

Legacy through Sisterhood

Written By: Ian Silvester

Seniors Kimberly Villagrana, computer-aided design, and Jaylin Barroso, psychology, will graduate in May with more than their respective degrees. They will leave the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith with the knowledge of leaving a legacy for others to follow.

This semester, after years of hard work and dedication, Kimberly and Jaylin founded Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. (SIA), a Latina-based but not exclusively Latina sorority. The UAFS colony became the sixth in Arkansas and the third established in the last year.

The pair are the inaugural UAFS SIA colony president and vice president, replacing the establishment Registered Student Organization, Sisterhood Expansion.

“These exceptional women are a perfect fit for our community. Sororities provide invaluable opportunities for student development, belonging, and sisterhood,” wrote Dr. Dave Stevens, associate vice chancellor and dean of students.

Kimberly and Jaylin echoed Stevens’ sentiment, but for the girls, SIA is about identity.

“Being part of Greek life has been something I was always interested in, and establishing a sorority rooted in my culture felt like it was something I had to do, not just for myself, but for future students who are proud of who they are and where they come from,” Jaylin said.

“For me, it’s always been about not losing my Hispanic side and continuing to grow it. SIA helps me and would help a lot of other Hispanic people feel that side that they might feel like they’re losing,” Kimberly followed.

While SIA is a sorority, it does not belong to the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC). Instead, SIA is recognized by the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations, Inc. (NALFO), whose purpose is to promote and build positive relations and development through respect, leadership, honesty, professionalism, and education.

Under NALFO, SIA does not rush or hold a bid day like other NPC sororities but still works with others to raise awareness for philanthropies and UAFS events. After graduation, Kimberly and Jaylin plan to use the relationships built on campus to help them intake more girls and keep the SIA legacy alive.

“You’re never going to get rid of me,” Jaylin joked. “I love this university and my sorority so much that I can’t just leave once I graduate. I have friends here that want to be in SIA, so I want to make sure that I’m here as long as I possibly can to help guide other girls, be their support, and be a community supporter.”

SIA was founded on September 29, 1990, by 13 women from four different schools in New York. They aimed to create an organization that would help their communities, unite women, and promote scholarship. SIA stands for solidarity, inspiration, and friendship and is represented by the colors red, gold, and royal blue.

Connect with SIA on Instagram or Facebook, or email them at sia.uafs@gmail.com to speak directly with the sorority. Learn more about SIA by visiting www.hermandad-sia.org.

• Tags:
• Sorority
• SIA
• Hermandad Sigma Iota Alpha