Honor Societies
Gain more opportunities & connections as a result of your hard work.
At Worcester State University, we recognize exceptional achievement of outstanding students with invitations to join an honor society. We host chapters of 21 honor societies, spanning 16 academic disciplines and 5 special interests. Once inducted to an honor society, you can tap exclusive opportunities to network with likeminded classmates, strengthen relationships with a chapter’s faculty advisor, and build your resume. Membership opens doors beyond graduation—providing you with a noteworthy credential on job applications, an expansive network of colleagues in your field, and a resource for continual professional development.
Beta Beta Beta
Biology
Advisors: Roger Greenwell & Nirvana Filoramo
Beta Beta Beta (TriBeta) is a society for students, particularly undergraduates, dedicated to improving the understanding and appreciation of biological study and extending boundaries of human knowledge through scientific research. Since its founding in 1922, more than 200,000 persons have been accepted into lifetime membership, and more than 670 chapters have been established throughout the United States and Puerto Rico.
Sigma Beta Delta
Business Administration
Membership in Sigma Beta Delta is the highest national recognition a business student can receive at a college or university with a Sigma Beta Delta chapter. To be eligible for membership, a business student must rank in the upper 20 percent of the junior, senior or master’s class and be invited to membership by the faculty officers.
Gamma Sigma Epsilon
Chemistry
Advisor: Anne Falke
Gamma Sigma Epsilon is a national chemistry honor society founded in 1919 at Davidson College. The original fraternity was created to promote academic excellence and undergraduate research scholarship in chemistry. In 1931 the fraternity went co-ed and became an honor society. Today there are over seventy active Gamma Sigma Epsilon chapters throughout the United States. The Society is governed by a National Executive Council of elected officers and meets in biennial conventions for the purpose of governance, fellowship, and scientific exchange.
Lambda Pi Eta
Communication
Lambda Pi Eta (LPH) has over 400 active chapters at four-year colleges and universities worldwide. LPH was founded in 1985 at the University of Arkansas. It became a part of the National Communication Association in 1988 and the association’s official honor society in July 1995.
Upsilon Pi Epsilon
Computer Science
Advisor: Karl Wurst
The computing and information disciplines are relatively young. Yet despite their comparative youth, the computing and information disciplines have had an unparalleled effect on almost every aspect of contemporary life. Indeed it is difficult to predict the ultimate place of the computer in our world. It is the express purpose of Upsilon Pi Epsilon to promote the computing and information disciplines and to encourage their contribution to the enhancement of knowledge.
Alpha Phi Sigma
Criminal Justice
Advisor: Stephen Morreale
In September, 1941, Dr. Vivian Anderson Leonard was asked by the president of Washington State University if he would accept the directorship of a Police Science Academic Program at Washington State. Dr. Leonard accepted the offer and became responsible for developing a four year curriculum which would lead to a Bachelor’s Degree in Police Administration.
Omicron Delta Epsilon
Economics
Advisor: William O’Brien
Omicron Delta Epsilon is one of the world’s largest academic honor societies. The objectives of Omicron Delta Epsilon are recognition of scholastic attainment and the honoring of outstanding achievements in economics; the establishment of closer ties between students and faculty in economics within colleges and universities, and among colleges and universities; the publication of its official journal, The American Economist, and sponsoring of panels at professional meetings as well as the Irving Fisher and Frank W. Taussig competitions.
Kappa Delta Pi
Education
Advisor: Pam Hollander
Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society in education founded by Dr. William Bagley in 1911 at the University of Illinois, was established to foster excellence in education and promote fellowship among those dedicated to teaching. The founders chose the name from the Greek words to represent knowledge, duty, and power. Pioneering from its beginning by including women as well as men, Kappa Delta Pi grew from a local chapter to the international organization it is today, comprising 600 chapters and more than 40,000 members.
Alpha Upsilon Alpha
Education
Alpha Upsilon Alpha, the honor society of the International Reading Association, was created in 1985 to recognize and encourage scholarship, the development of personal and professional leadership, and service to the field of reading at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Sigma Tau Delta
English
Advisor: Matthew Ortoleva
Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honor society recognizes the accomplishments of professional writers who have contributed to the fields of language and literature. Worcester State is one of over 900 active chapters located in the United States and abroad.
Gamma Theta Upsilon
Geography
Gamma Theta Upsilon is an international honor society in geography that was founded in 1928 and became a national organization in 1931. Members have met academic requirements and share a background and interest in geography. Chapter activities support geography knowledge and awareness.
Eta Sigma Gamma
Health Services
Advisors: Syamak Mottari
The mission of Eta Sigma Gamma is promotion of the discipline by elevating the standards, ideals, competence, and ethics of professionally prepared men and women in health education.
Phi Alpha Theta
History
Advisor: Tonya Mears
Phi Alpha Theta (ΦΑΘ) is an American honor society for undergraduate and graduate students and professors of history. The society has over 350,000 members, with about 9,500 new members joining each year through 860 local chapters.
Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society
Nursing
Advisor: Dr. Melissa Duprey & Prof. Bill Chadbourne
STTI membership is by invitation to baccalaureate and graduate nursing students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship and to nurse leaders exhibiting exceptional achievements in nursing. Here are some additional facts about the membership:
- STTI has more than 135,000 active
- members.
Members reside in more than 85 - countries.
- 39% of active members hold master’s and/or doctoral degrees; 51% are in staff positions; 19% are administrators or supervisors; 18% are faculty/academics; and 12% are in advanced practice.
- There are roughly 500 chapters at approximately 675 institutions of higher education throughout Armenia, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, England, Ghana, Hong Kong, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Swaziland, Sweden, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
- STTI communicates regularly with more than 100 nurse leaders who have expressed interest in establishing chapters globally, including those in Chile, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, India, Ireland, Israel, Germany, Jamaica, Jordan, Lebanon, New Zealand, and Spain.
The mission of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, is advancing world health and celebrating nursing excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service.
Sigma Theta Tau International’s vision is to be the global organization of choice for nursing.
Psi Chi
Psychology
Advisor: Amy Cota-McKinley
Psi Chi was founded September 4, 1929, during the 9th International Congress of Psychology. Representatives from 11 colleges and universities signed the charter, and three others signed by proxy. It is the largest student psychological organization with over 600,000 members.
Upsilon Sigma
Urban Studies
Advisor: Dr. Thomas E. Conroy
Upsilon Sigma is an international, multidisciplinary honor society dedicated to recognizing and encouraging excellence in scholarship, leadership, and engagement in urban studies and related fields. Its mission is to promote academic excellence and enrich the educational experience of both undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees related to Urban Studies.
Alpha Mu Gamma
World Languages
Advisor: Judy Jeon-Chapman
Alpha Mu Gamma has as its primary purpose the honoring of students for outstanding achievement during their first year of foreign language study in college. However, students may be admitted at any stage in their college careers. Upon initiation a member receives a parchment certificate of membership and may wear the scroll-shaped gold key or pin.
Alpha Sigma Lambda
Adult Students
Advisor: Leah Guzman
Alpha Sigma Lambda is a national honor society founded by Dr. Rollin B. Posey, dean of University College at Northwestern University, to honor adult students who achieve and maintain high scholastic standards while balancing work and family responsibilities. ASL promotes continuing scholastic growth of adult students and appreciation for their academic achievements and contributions.
Chi Alpha Sigma
Student-Athletes
Chi Alpha Sigma was established to recognize college student-athletes who excel both on and off the field of competition. The organization was founded in 1996 by then DePauw University head football coach Nick Mourouzis.
Delta Alpha Pi - Gamma Chi Chapter
Students with Disabilities
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Nicole Rosa
Staff Advisor: Jenna Lane
Delta Alpha Pi, an international honor society for undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities, recognizes the academic accomplishments of and facilitates development of skills in leadership, advocacy and education for participating students. Its three Greek letters have specific meaning:
- Delta: D for Disability; the triangle symbolizes strength
- Alpha: A for Achievement and Advocacy
- Pi: P for Pride
Omicron Delta Kappa
National Leadership
Advisor: Kristie McNamara
Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, recognizes and encourages superior leadership and exemplary character. It also encourages collaboration among members across five pillars of leadership: academics and research, athletics, service to campus and community, communications, and creative and performing arts. Founded in 1914 at Washington and Lee University, Omicron Delta Kappa honors and develops leaders through scholarships, workshops, career development, leadership resources, and a lifelong connection to other members. The Society also champions its leadership values of collaboration, inclusivity, integrity, scholarship, and service.
Phi Eta Sigma
First-Year Students
Advisor: Janice Yee
Founded in 1923 at the University of Illinois, Phi Eta Sigma is the nation’s oldest and largest honor society for first-year college and university students in all disciplines. Inspired by the past and dedicated to the future, the Society’s mission is to encourage and reward academic excellence among freshmen in institutions of higher learning.