A strong brotherhood is built on accountability and mutual respect. Carlo Rodes, California-Berkeley ’04, found his ideal fraternity when he joined the California Alpha chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon during its restart. The Balanced Man Program emphasized personal growth and camaraderie and was a significant draw for Carlo, offering a unique alternative to traditional fraternity life. “California Alpha was the opportunity to have the kind of fraternity experience I was originally interested in having in college.”

A Balanced Brotherhood

California Alpha was founded on the ideals of young men who rejected fraternity stereotypes and created a close-knit, diverse community. “Having a group that looked out for each other in a school of 30,000+ students made a huge difference,” Carlo said. As social chairman, he organized events that enriched the brotherhood’s experience and helped him grow by stepping outside his comfort zone.

Professional Journey

After graduation, Carlo worked in the hospitality industry before attending Notre Dame Law School. His Fraternity brothers inspired him to pursue graduate school. He spent nearly a decade in big law and in-house at Bank of America and is now a product attorney at Meta. Carlo is grateful for the flexibility of remote work, which allows him to spend more time with his wife and two daughters.

His fraternity experience, which emphasized career development, inspired Carlo to pursue graduate school. He remains connected with alumni, maintaining close friendships and social media ties.

Looking Ahead: The Future of California Alpha

As California Alpha prepares for its restart, Carlo hopes the same thoughtful approach to recruitment will continue. “We were selective in who we recruited, focusing on individuals who valued social connection and academic success,” he explained. Carlo believes the Balanced Man Program will remain integral to fostering a responsible and successful brotherhood for future generations.

Carlo’s experience underscores the lasting and transformative impact of SigEp’s emphasis on “Building Balanced Men” and upholding our cardinal principles of Virtue, Diligence and Brotherly Love.

This article is shared from the California Alpha newsletter in the Alumni Communications Program.