Two fraternities joining University of the Pacific in the fall—Lambda Theta Phi and Gamma Zeta Alpha—will expand support structures for Latino students.

The new chapters join four other multicultural Greek organizationsat Pacific, which collectively are part of the Multicultural Greek Council.

“It's a huge community builder,” said Executive Director of Student Success and Retention Donte Miller.

“Most of the multicultural organizations were started to give students another affinity group to thrive, flourish in and build community,” he said. “It's a lifetime organization, and as a member, they build relationships and connections in the community outside of school.”

Nearly 29% of students at Pacific identify as Hispanic or Latino. Because of its diverse student body, Pacific was designated a Hispanic Serving Institution in 2024.

Gamma Zeta Alpha has eight founding members and is the second Latin-based fraternity chartered at Pacific, joining a group of only 25 chapters in the nation.

Lambda Theta Phi will obtain official chapter designation once establishing another group of new members. The national chapter is the first fraternity founded for Latino men on college campuses and has over 150 chapters in the nation. It will be the third Latin-based fraternity chartered at Pacific.

Gamma Zeta Alpha also is affiliated with a national organization, which Miller says creates another layer of opportunities for students.

“Nationally, in their fraternity, members have done a wealth of different things. That level of access to those people opens doors. That level of access to community, to alumni, to different connections, helps students thrive,” Miller said.

The new chapters also create opportunities for members to connect with students throughout the state.

“Expanding Greek life with these chapters means the students will now have opportunities to connect with local chapters around them and build those, as we call them, fraternal bonds, and realize that they're not the only Latino student studying chemistry or studying engineering. Now they know people in the same fraternity at Fresno State or U.C. Davis,” Miller said.

The expansion of Greek life through these two new organizations reflects Pacific’s ongoing commitment to enriching Greek life on the Stockton Campus, which has a long history dating back to 1854.

The fraternity and sorority community at Pacific is made up of more than 700 students. In addition to the multicultural Greek organizations, the university has seven social sororities and fraternities and 13 professional Greek organizations that connect students with shared career interests.

“University of the Pacific continues to meet the needs of the student body, with the Greek expansion process being student-led and centered,” said Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life Stephanie Felton. “We understand the importance of out-of-classroom involvement enhancing the student experience and want our registered student organizations to be representative of this.

“We look forward to welcoming Gamma Zeta Alpha and Lambda Theta Phi Fraternity, Inc. to the Greek community and their success at Pacific.”

Unlike some universities, Pacific allows students to join Greek organizations as early as their first semester.