| Alpha Alpha Alpha | |
| Letters: | Greek, Ancient (to 1453);: ΑΑΑ |
| Crest: | The logo of Alpha Alpha Alpha.png |
| Birthplace: | Moravian College |
| Affiliation: | Independent |
| Type: | Honor society |
| Status: | Active |
| Scope: | National |
| Emphasis: | First-generation college students |
| Chapters: | 286 active |
| Nickname: | Tri-Alpha |
| Address: | 1200 Main Street |
| City: | Bethlehem |
| State: | Pennsylvania |
| Zip Code: | 18018 |
| Country: | United States |
Alpha Alpha Alpha Honor Society (Tri-Alpha) is an American honor society for first-generation college students. It was formed in 2018 at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha) was an initiative of Carol Traupman-Carr, the associate provost of Moravian College (now Moravian University) in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.[1] [2] It was established with the initiation of more than 100 members on March 24, 2018.[3] [4] [5] [6] Tri-Alpha was created as an honor society for first-generation college students.[7] [8]
Later, the honor society was incorporated as a (501)(c)(3) nonprofit corporation to expand to other colleges and universities. Tri-Alpha recognizes the academic achievements of first-generation colleges students, creates a support network for those students, promotes leadership, and encourages enthusiasm for academics.[9] [10] Initially, it expanded to small liberal arts colleges.[11] By April 2021, it has chartered 89 chapters.
As of 2024, Alpha Alpha Alpha has chartered 287 chapters in the United States.[12] Its headquarters are in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.[13]
Alpha Alpha Alpha's emblem is an organizational pin.[14] The pin features Tri-Alpha's logo, which includes a star in the center of several circles.[15] The star symbolizes the inductees, who are "beacons of light for others to follow". The circles represent its member'svarious communities—the unniversity community, their home community, and the wider world.
Tri-Alphas colors and honor cord are blue and grey/silver.[16]
Membership is by invitation and is open to undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and staff whose parents or guardians did not complete a bachelor's degree.[17] [18] Eligible undergraduates must have complete thirty hours with a 3.2 GPA, and graduate students must have finished nine hours with a 3.5 GPA. Faculty are eligible if they met the criteria as a first-generation student when they completed their undergraduate degree. Tri-Alpha also initiates a small number of honorary and alumni members each year. Once initiated, membership is for life.[19]
See main article: List of Alpha Alpha Alpha chapters. As of 2024, Alpha Alpha Alpha has chartered 287 chapters in the United States.