Tri-Alpha
Benefits
- Opportunities to meet other First-Generation scholars and join them in promoting academic excellence by creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all first-generation students.
- Outward recognition of personal accomplishments and a symbol of your hard work.
- Communicates to future employers, professionals and graduate schools on your resume that you possess academic ability, leadership potential, and commitment to excellence.
- Members receive a certificate and pin signifying membership during the formal induction. Membership is for life.
What to Know
Membership Criteria & Eligibility
Undergraduate students qualify for induction into Tri-Alpha if they meet the following criteria:
- Actively enrolled as a full-time (12 or more credit hours) student or half-time (6-11 credit hours) in a program of study leading to a bachelor’s degree;
- Completed at least three full terms of study and at least 30 credit hours;
- Identify as a first-generation student as defined as “Neither parent(s) nor guardian(s) earned a bachelor’s degree or higher prior to the student beginning their program"
- GPA of at least 3.2 in all coursework.
Application and Membership Process
Students who meet eligibility criteria will receive invitations to apply for Tri-Alpha at the beginning of September by email.
Faculty/staff who meet eligibility requirements for Tri-Alpha are invited to submit their application and pay the membership dues of $25. Please pay by credit card through the national website.
Upon receiving invitations, students should submit an application and pay the membership dues of $15. Membership dues are paid by credit card through the national website. Fee waivers may be available to eligible students.
Induction Ceremony
The induction ceremony has passed. Stay tuned for more information on the next ceremony.
First-Generation Student Champion Award
The First-Generation Student Champion award will be given annually by the First-Generation Student Success Standing Advisory Board, which honors one first-generation undergraduate student. This award recognizes one exceptional First-generation student who have pursued and met ambitious goals and/or made notable achievements while enrolled at the University of Missouri, demonstrated commitment to academic excellence, and created pathways for or inspired other first-generation students to also excel at the University of Missouri. Students are able to nominate themselves. Recipients will receive official plaques in November.
The First-Generation Faculty/Staff Champion award will be given annually by the First-Generation Student Success Standing Advisory Board, which honors one Faculty/Staff who has shown exceptional commitment to advancing First-generation success on campus. This person does not have to be First-generation themselves but must be a First-gen ally. Faculty/staff are able to nominate themselves. Recipients will receive official plaques in November.
We are seeking nominations for faculty/staff who meet this criteria:
- Commitment to the advancement of first-generation scholars on campus;
- Service, leadership, and volunteerism in first-generation programs, initiatives, and events;
- Advocacy and mentorship to first-generation scholars;
- Making a notable impact through dedication to and support of the university’s first-generation population.
Nominations are now closed.