Alpha Delta Pi

Meet Maddie Dudeck, a senior at James Madison University, and discover how her leadership roles within Alpha Delta Pi have helped her balance academics, campus involvement, and a passion for justice‑driven leadership.

"My name is Maddie Dudeck, and I am a senior Justice Studies major at James Madison University. I am a sister of the James Madison University ADPi Theta Omicron chapter, the 2025 Chapter President, and 2024 Sisterhood Program Specialist. Being a leader in Alpha Delta Pi has shaped my college journey in ways I never expected. Serving as Chapter President of a community of over 280+ members has been rewarding, challenging, and memorable. Leading such a large chapter has taught me about the importance of kindness and honesty, and that all members are different in the best ways, and that we all have something to learn from each other. I have worked to strengthen our campus policies, regulations and the importance of communication with the advisors and resources that we have at JMU. This position has taught me about the importance of confidentiality and support, something that I have been able to directly apply to multiple of my internships within the criminal justice system.

Beyond ADPI, I have also held positions on my executive board for the American Criminal Justice Association, where I have been able to apply these leadership skills to a smaller organization, helping the development and collaboration of the team and the organization itself. Being a part of ACJA has not only deepened my interest in the criminal justice field, but has also reinforced how important strong, value driven leadership is, no matter the size of the organization.

In addition, I hold a job on campus with Student Leadership and Involvement as the Adams Law Compliance Assistant. Virginia has one of the biggest anti-hazing laws in the country, called Adams Law as it serves as a framework for universities to strengthen hazing education, reporting, and prevention. My job involves collecting data during education sessions, working with Student Life, OSARP, FSL and other organizations to ensure the safety of our students. Being part of this work has given me a deeper understanding of the systems that protect students, and it has allowed me to bring valuable insights back to my own chapter. Sharing what I’ve learned in meetings and conferences has helped us refine our internal protocols, reinforce a culture of safety, and empower members to recognize and prevent harmful behaviors before they occur.

The overlap of my involvement across campus has shown me how important balance, communication, and knowledge truly are. Each role, whether in Greek life, my academic organizations, or my campus job, has shaped my experience at James Madison University in meaningful ways. These opportunities have pushed me to grow as a leader, challenged me to think critically about the communities I’m part of, and allowed me to contribute to positive change on campus. As I prepare to leave JMU, I feel grateful knowing that I’ve been able to leave a mark on the organizations that shaped me, and I’m excited to see what future leaders bring to the Theta Omicron chapter and the broader JMU community!"

Check out the WLFEO Podcast, hosted by Emily Erkel and Chris Dickey, airing twice monthly. Each episode highlights incredible sisters as they share stories and insights from their ADPi experiences.

This week's episode, "Alpha Delta Pi Convention Traditions" is available here:

Join Barb Kinter Kunkel, Delta Kappa—Penn State, as she regales us with the history of Alpha Delta Pi's beloved and unique Grand Convention traditions. In addition to traditions, she shares stories about roses from Queen Elizabeth, a goat roaming the dining room, and why the schedule always had a break before the final banquet.