Sometimes the college experience changes the moment a student finds where they belong. That place was Greek life for Brandon Hebda.

Pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Communication at PennWest, with minors in event planning and management and general business, Brandon came to campus from Uniontown, Pennsylvania. He was looking for connection, involvement, and a way to make his time on campus count. What he found was a community that helped him grow in ways he did not expect.

“Greek life is a community of our peers and students,” Brandon said. “It’s a very positive community centered on helping one another and growing it for future generations of students.”

That sense of purpose became the foundation of Brandon’s PennWest experience. Today, he serves as a Greek life student coordinator, PennWest Pantry student ambassador, New Student Orientation leader and welcome weekend leader — roles that reflect the same core strength: helping students feel welcome, supported and connected.

For Brandon, Greek life is about more than belonging to an organization. It is about learning how to serve others and create experiences that matter. Through chapter events, service projects and campus leadership, he discovered how much he enjoys bringing people together. In fact, those opportunities helped shape his academic and career direction. Brandon originally came to campus planning to become a teacher, but through Greek life, he found his interest shifting toward communication and event planning.

“Those were my first opportunities to plan events like golf outings and really discover what I wanted to do in communications,” he said.

That discovery is rooted in real-world experience. Brandon has helped organize opportunities that connect students, alumni and the broader community, including philanthropy efforts that make an immediate local impact. One example is his fraternity’s annual toy drive, Acacia Claus, which raises money for toys that are donated through the local police station.

“It’s cool to see your impact firsthand,” he said.

He has also seen how Greek life creates lasting connections beyond graduation. Through alumni events like his chapter’s annual golf outing, Brandon has built relationships with graduates who share advice, career encouragement and stories of how their PennWest experiences still matter years later.

At PennWest, Brandon found more than involvement. He found direction. Through service, leadership and meaningful campus engagement, he is building the skills to create community wherever he goes next.