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 Jimena Prieto (jimena.prieto@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
Tri-Alpha Induction Ceremony will take place on Thursday, November 7th from 3 pm to 5 pm for students who applied and met the eligibility requirements. It is happening in the Marriot Library at the Gould Auditorium.