Indianapolis, Oct. 19, 2017—Archie Messersmith will join the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) team as the first-ever Director of Health and Safety on Oct. 30. He will lead the implementation of the enhanced NIC health and safety standards, partnering with campuses and fraternities to carry out the Social Safe pilot and address critical issues on college campuses today.
Archie is a thought-leader in programming and best practices that encourage fraternity men to take an active role in their own safety and the safety of their peers,” said NIC President & CEO Judson Horras. “The NIC strongly believes student leadership is the most powerful force for positive change. Archie will lead the establishment of an effective framework that empowers students to shift campus culture.”
The NIC’s bolstered standards bring NIC organizations together in continued partnership to eliminate alcohol abuse, hazing and sexual misconduct, among other public health issues on college campuses. Messersmith’s experience will blend policy, research and education in these areas of concern into a pilot program that emphasizes collaboration among campus professionals, Interfraternity Council (IFC) officers and chapter members.
Messersmith comes to the NIC from Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity staff, where he has directed member safety, risk management operations, expansion efforts, university partnerships, and alumni/volunteer services and support in several roles over the past five years. Before joining staff, he served as a fraternity volunteer for more than a decade, assisting with the overhaul of Sigma Phi Epsilon’s new member programming and advising chapters. Messersmith was honored with SigEp’s Volunteer of the Year award in 2010 for his exceptional commitment and contributions. He also previously worked in the Illinois State University Dean of Student’s Office as Assistant Director of the Programming Unit, overseeing the University Program Board, Welcome Week, and other major student-led events. He was recognized by his peers for excellent support, receiving the Outstanding New Professional Award in 2011 and Outstanding Faculty/Staff Advisor of the Year Award in 2012.
During his time on Sigma Phi Epsilon staff, Messersmith led the creation and launch of the fraternity’s standalone sexual assault prevention curriculum “Got Consent?” and was a co-developer of the “Live Your Oath” campaign. He also served as the curriculum developer and lead facilitator for the organization’s inaugural Member Safety Team, a group of alumni/volunteers tasked with bringing member safety education to undergraduates around the country. Seen as an expert in student health, safety and risk management, he was regularly invited to work with IFCs and peer organizations on planning for similar programs. He also served on the faculty of the first-ever Title IX Institute hosted by the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA) and Association for Student Conduct Administration (ASCA).
Every time I have the privilege to work with students and I see the lightbulb come on, it makes everything we do worth it,” Messersmith said. “The NIC is embarking on an enormous task of working with not just individual chapters, but entire communities to change the culture from the inside. I am honored to be standing alongside such a great team at this pivotal time in our industry and excited about the impact our work will have.”
Messersmith joined Sigma Phi Epsilon at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, and earned a master’s in college student personnel administration from Illinois State University. He is a current member of the AFA Foundation Board of Directors, Fraternity Executives Association (FEA) and National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA).
