Honor society for first-generation students established at Scranton.
Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha), a national honor society for first-generation college students was founded in 2018 at Moravian University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The society now exists at colleges and universities in 39 states and recognizes the academic achievements of first-generation college students, creates enthusiasm for scholarship, promotes leadership, and provides support networks for first-generation students.
Inductees will receive a pin and certificate. Students will also receive cords to wear at their graduation.
First-generation students at Penn State Scranton interested in applying to the inaugural Lambda Omicron Chapter should apply online.
The first induction ceremony for the honor society is being planned for February 2025.
Induction criteria
- Students, faculty, staff and alumni who attended the Penn State Scranton campus are eligible.
- Students must have completed at least 30 credits towards an associate or bachelor’s degree.
- The undergraduate student must have earned an overall GPA of 3.2.
- Neither of the student's parents, nor stepparents, nor legal guardians, have completed a bachelor's degree.
Faculty and staff may also be inducted into Tri-Alpha as well. To qualify, they must have met the definition of a first-generation student listed above at the time they completed their bachelor's degree and be willing to serve as mentors for student members.
Fees and Benefits
- An affordable, lifetime, national initiation fee of $15 (for students) and $25 for faculty, staff, and alumni.
- A certificate and pin signifying membership. Membership is for life.
- An outward recognition of personal accomplishment and an incentive for continued high scholarship.
- The opportunity to meet other first-generation scholars from all academic disciplines on your campus and to join them in promoting academic excellence and creating a supportive environment for first-generation college students.
- Identifies you to employers, professionals, and graduate schools.
- Ability to mentor younger first-generation students.
- Ability to receive mentoring from more senior first-generation students.
- Local chapter leadership opportunities.
Contact Information
Contact Director of Student Services Matt Nied at [email protected] or Assistant Teaching Professor of HDFS Melissa Labuda at [email protected].