Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha)
The National Honor Society for First-Generation College Students
Alpha Alpha Alpha, or Tri-Alpha, was founded March 24, 2018 at Moravian University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with over 100 members of the Alpha Chapter initiated that day, including undergraduate students, faculty, staff, alumni, and honorary members.
Following the successful induction, the college took steps to incorporate Alpha Alpha Alpha so that chapters could be started on other campuses across the country. Tri-Alpha exists as a not-for-profit (501(c)3) organization created to recognize academic achievements, promote leadership and provide support networks for First-Generation College Students.
The Delta Chi Chapter of Alpha Alpha Alpha at Montclair State University was founded by Natalie Lopez, Academic Program Coordinator for University College, along with the First-Generation Initiatives Committee in Fall 2021.
We encourage all First-Gen Students, Faculty, Staff and Alumni to apply. A person is eligible if neither parent nor guardian earned a bachelor’s degree prior to the student.
- Membership is for life.
- A certificate and pin signifying membership.
- 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 at MSU, 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 as a person of superior academic ability and commitment.
- Ability to mentor younger first-generation students.
- Ability to receive mentoring from more senior first-generation students, as well as faculty, staff, and alumni who were first-generation students.
- Local chapter leadership opportunities.
Qualifications for Induction into Tri-Alpha
- The student has earned at least 30 credits towards an associate’s degree or baccalaureate degree (including part-time students).
- The undergraduate student has achieved an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.
- Neither of the student’s parents, step-parents or legal guardians completed a bachelor’s degree.
- Graduate students (full-time and part-time) who are first-generation students can be admitted if they have completed the equivalent of at least one semester (9 or more graduate credits) and have a GPA in their graduate program of at least 3.5.
- To qualify, they must have met the definition of a first-generation student listed above at the time they completed their bachelor’s degree. Faculty and staff must be willing to serve as mentors for first-generation students.
- To qualify, alumni must have been first-generation students (using the definition above) when they completed their bachelor’s degree. They must remain connected in some way to the institution which is inducting them— a member of the board or alumni association; the sibling of a current student; a volunteer; a donor; etc. They must have established themselves in their post-college lives in a manner that can be held up to first-generation students as something to aspire to and must be willing to mentor first-generation students, if asked.
Application & Induction
Applications are now open!
- Application Opens: Thursday, December 12, 2024
- Application Deadline: Sunday, March 2, 2025
- Applications will be reviewed and an email will be sent out to the applicant with further details.
- For Undergraduate and Graduate Students, verification of your GPA and credit hours earned will be reviewed on NEST by the Co-Advisors.
Apply Here
- Applicants will receive an email of acceptance after the application review process.
- A link will be provided for payment of induction dues:
- $15 Induction Fee for Undergraduate and Graduate Students.
- $25 Induction Fee for Faculty, Staff, and Alumni.
- Graduation Cords are available for an additional $15 charge.
- Induction Ceremony will be held April 2025 (Date TBA)
- All inductees will receive a certificate of initiation and a Tri-Alpha pin.
- Inductees are able to bring as many guests as they’d like.
Join our community in celebrating First-Gen excellence! For questions or more information, email trialpha@montclair.edu or visit the Alpha Alpha Alpha website.
Chapter Advisors
Natalie Lopez
Founder of Delta Chi Chapter
Academic Program Coordinator
University College
lopezna@montclair.edu
Claudio Josuel Alejo
Assistant Director for First-Generation Initiatives
Office of Student Belonging
alejoc@montclair.edu
