Allison Swick-Duttine Receives NGLA Compass Award and Chapter Advisor of the Year Award from Order of Omega
- Apr 1
- 3 min read
Past Executive Council Member and longtime Tri Sigma volunteer Allison Swick-Duttine, Psi–Marshall University, was recently honored with two industry awards at the Northeast Greek Leadership Association’s annual conference in Pittsburgh.
National President Lauren Moran and eight of Allison’s students from State University of New York at Plattsburgh were there as she received the NGLA’s 2026 Compass Award and the Mardie Trask Sorensen Chapter Advisor of the Year award from Order of Omega.
The Compass Award is NGLA’s highest honor, recognizing individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, service, and long-standing commitment to advancing fraternity and sorority life in the Northeast and beyond, according to the association.
“Allison has been a respected leader and advocate for fraternity and sorority life throughout her career, most of which has been spent at SUNY Plattsburgh. She represents the very best of our community,” said NGLA Executive Director Tom Murphy. “Her leadership has influenced generations of students and professionals, and her commitment to creating meaningful fraternity and sorority experiences continues to make a lasting impact across our region.”
Involvement in NGLA has been a constant throughout Allison’s career.
“My first encounter with the organization was when I served as a member of the conference graduate staff. In fact, it was the connections that I made at that time that led me to my first position at SUNY Plattsburgh,” she said. “I am so proud of the organization NGLA has become and look forward to bringing my students to the conference each year.”
Allison—who serves as SUNY Plattsburgh’s Director of Student Leadership, Fraternity & Sorority Life, and Student Volunteerism—credits her collegiate Tri Sigma membership as inspiration in pursuing a career in higher education.
“My experience as an undergraduate member at Marshall University was transformative. I don't think I would have been able to develop my skills in leadership and character development on a campus that large without it,” she said. “Being able to learn and grow from my sorority experience led me to want to share that experience with other students as a career.”
That, she has certainly done. While fraternity/sorority advisor roles are known to have a high rate of turnover due to long hours and high stress, Allison has stayed the course for more than 28 years.
“I feel fortunate to have been supported throughout my career by SUNY Plattsburgh and organizations I have volunteered with over the years such as NGLA and Tri Sigma, the Hazing Prevention Network and the Association of Fraternity & Sorority Advisors,” she said, “It is because of this support and the opportunity for growth that I have stayed in fraternity/sorority advising for the entirety of my career. That is something that is not nearly common enough.”
Allison has previously been awarded the Dr. Robert H. Shaffer Award (2021), Shelley Sutherland Outstanding Volunteer Award (2012) and the Sue Kraft Fussell Distinguished Service Award (2007)—all from the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors.
When she’s not working or volunteering for Tri Sigma and other industry organizations, Allison enjoys reading, thrifting and hiking in the Adirondacks. She also loves cooking and traveling with her husband and son, who is a college freshman.
The Northeast Greek Leadership Association is dedicated to educating and empowering fraternity and sorority leaders across the Northeast. Through its annual conference and year-round programming, NGLA provides resources, leadership development, and networking opportunities that inspire values-based leadership and foster a thriving Greek community. In conjunction with her honor, the NGLA Fund is raising money in Allison’s name to support scholarships that help students attend the NGLA Annual Conference, ensuring access to leadership development and educational opportunities for future leaders.
Order of Omega recognizes high-achieving fraternity and sorority members who exemplify leadership, service, and academic excellence. The organization currently has over 590 active chapters across the United States, Canada, and The Bahamas.
