By: Carmella Vitel

March 31, 2026

Taking those first steps to further your education is daunting, especially if you are the first in your family to do so. Centenary University recognizes the efforts and advancements these students are making with the Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha) honor society. 

Tri-Alpha is a credited chapter of a national honor society. While founded in 2019, they began inducting in 2023, and have gained over 100 members since. They provide networking and leadership opportunities, guest speakers, and even hold workshops at nearby high schools to prepare and educate future first generation college students for college life. 

A first generation student is an individual whose parents or legal guardians have not completed a four-year college degree in the United States. Even if a sibling of yours has completed their four year degree, you are still considered first generation. 

In addition to being a first generation college student, the qualifications for being inducted include; having a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 if you are an undergraduate student, and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 if you are a graduate student. You must be enrolled as a full-time student as an undergraduate, or be enrolled for at least six credits as a graduate. You also must have earned 30 credit hours from Centenary University.

Tri-Alpha only inducts during the fall semester, but there’s no need to worry if you are graduating during the spring. Tri-Alpha inducts alumni as well!

I sat down with Diana Alzate, Tri-Alpha staff advisor and director of First Year Experience, to ask her about the details surrounding Tri-Alpha. 

“I was a first generation college student, so I understand the struggles,” said Alzate. “We provide a more hands on approach and additional guidance. We send out reminders to reapply to FAFSA, we do workshops on how to manage money, how to apply for a credit card or a car loan. We take steps in order to provide that information and life skills to students. We also celebrate our members, for graduating members, they get graduation cords.” 

Do you bring in any guest speakers?

Yes! For our induction, which is every November, we try to do it on every National First Generation College Student Day, which is November 8th. Our very first year, we had Dr. Caldwell, he was our first speaker. The second year we had the owner of Divine Kin (footwear and apparel under $100 store), at the time, the store was located on Main Street.

It was an honor to have both guest speakers here. Dr. Caldwell was inducted as an honorary. He, himself, is not a first generation college student, but he is an ally and advocate for first generation students.

The owner of Divine Kin, Jerry Palmer, has a vast background in education, businesses, and working with at risk student populations. It was wonderful hearing his story and how he was able to overcome those challenges. It was great to hear about that motivation, and it gave a real example of someone to look up to.

How has Tri-Alpha impacted applicable students?

I think that they know that they have the support, that they’re not alone, that there are so many others like them, that it is nothing to be ashamed of. 

I remember having a very long conversation with a student where they told me that they couldn’t imagine how they could be proud of being a first generation student. By the end of it, they were able to understand better and become more proud of that fact. 

To be the first in your family to go to college and graduate, that is an accomplishment, that’s something to be proud of. It’s something for your parents and family to be proud of as well. 

Not understanding resources available or where to find them or who to ask about them, that’s something we provide.

Do you have any advice for students struggling as a first generation student?

My advice would be to ask for help. I think that’s applicable for any student, but especially for first gens who might feel intimidated and think that everyone already has it figured out when they really don’t. And that’s okay. That’s what our staff and faculty are here for; to provide support, whether they are first generation students or not. 

Ask for help and know that there are tough roads ahead, but it’s really about what you do to overcome them. It’s the challenges you face and how it helps you grow. 

“Many first generation students are not in the program,” said Alzate, “either they don’t know that they are first generation, or they don’t understand the importance of being in a tight-knit group. I just want to welcome and encourage them to find us. There’s another family waiting here to support.” 

If you are interested in becoming a member of Tri-Alpha or want to know if you qualify, you can contact Diana Alzate at diana.alzate@centenaryuniversity.edu