About Us

Alpha Alpha Alpha, colloquially referred to as Tri-Alpha, is a national honor society for first-generation* college students. Southwestern University’s chapter name Mu Omega as set forth by the National Office was chartered on May 1, 2025. Learn more about Tri-Alpha by going to 1stgenhonors.org.

Purpose

Promote academic excellence and provide opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, and campus and community service for first-generation college students. First-generation Faculty and Staff who are inducted into Tri-Alpha serve as mentors.

Chapter Officers 2025-2026

• Mia Galindo ’27, President
• Michelle Manzanares ’27, Vice President
• Paige Thompson ’26, Secretary
• Kayleigh Klinksiek ’26, Treasurer
• Amanda Mejia ’27, Historian

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Student Eligibility Requirements

Invitations to join are sent out by the Chapter Advisor in February. Induction typically takes place during the last week of classes in the spring semester.

• you must be a current degree candidate at Southwestern University,

• who has completed at least three full-time terms of study (minimum 30 credit hours), at least one of which must have been at Southwestern University (for transfer students),

• who has an overall GPA of at least 3.2 in all coursework, and

• who comes from a family where neither parent nor any legal guardians earned a bachelor’s degree.**

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Student Membership Expectations

• Attend all chapter meetings (2 per semester)
• Be willing to serve in a chapter leadership role as needed
• Participate in chapter activities and service projects (e.g. First-Generation College Celebration Week)
• Serve as an example of academic excellence to peers by maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.2 or higher
• Upon graduation from Southwestern University, transition to Alumni membership and serve as a mentor to current first-generation college students as needed

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Student Membership Benefits

• Ability to mentor younger first-generation students

• Access to Local Chapter and National LinkedIn Groups

• Certificate of Membership, Pin, and Graduation Cord upon Induction

• Identifies you to employers, professionals, and graduate schools as a person of superior academic ability and commitment

• Local Chapter Leadership Opportunities

• Mentoring network of first-generation Southwestern University Faculty, Staff, and Alumni

• Sense of belonging within a first-generation focused community from all academic disciplines