Tri-Alpha Honor Society
About
Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha) Honor Society’s mission is to encourage and reward academic excellence among first-generation college students pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degree at the University of Utah. This chapter promotes academic excellence and provides opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, and campus and community service for first-generation college students. Induction into Tri-Alpha is earned by outstanding academic achievement and lasts for a lifetime.
Faculty, staff, and alumni members may be inducted by the local chapter if they completed a baccalaureate degree, they were a first-generation college student at the time they graduated, and they continue to have a connection to the institution as a faculty member or staff member.
Qualification Requirements
Undergraduate Students
- Be a first-generation college student: Neither of the student's parents, nor step-parents, nor legal guardians, completed a bachelor's degree
- Earned at least 30 credit hours
- Have an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2
Graduate Students
- Graduate students who are first-generation students can be admitted if they have completed the equivalent of at least one term of study (9 or more graduate credits)
- Have a GPA in their graduate program of at least 3.5.
Benefits of Membership
- Membership is for life
- Receive Tri-Alpha certificate, pin and graduation chord
- Build a community with fellow first gen students,staff/faculty, and alumni
- Collectively promote academic excellence
Membership Costs
$25
Student Membership
$40
Faculty/Staff Membership
How to Apply
Invitations to join Tri-Alpha will be sent to first gen students who meet the GPA requirements every October via email. If you are a first generation student who meets the GPA requirements and have not received an invitation to join please email our program advisors to get the application link, Linda Paternina (linda.paternina.serrano@utah.edu) and Joana Acevedo (joana.acevedo@utah.edu).
Once students are invited they will fill out a short application and receive a follow up email with the link to pay their dues. Once completed, all new members will be inducted at our annual Induction Ceremony hosted in early November.
Upcoming Events
Events coming soon. Stay tuned!