Honor Societies and Special Recognitions

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ALANA (African, Latino, Asian, Native American)

ALANA students are presented with a traditional African Kente cloth scarf as part of graduation ceremonies. Kente cloth was first produced by the Ashanti people of Ghana in Southwest Africa to honor kings and queens. Kente cloth was worn during ceremonial events and special occasions and, therefore, denotes the formal nature of earning the baccalaureate.

Colors: Kente Cloth

All Academic Scholar Athletes (Athletics)

All Academic Scholar Athlete designation is awarded to graduating student-athletes who have competed in intercollegiate athletics during their senior year and who have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher.

Colors: Gold sash with MCLA and MASCAC insignias

Alpha Chi (National College Honor Society)

Alpha Chi National College Honor Society was founded in 1922 to recognize and promote academic excellence among college and university students of all disciplines, to encourage a spirit of service and leadership, and to nurture the elements of character that make scholarship effective for good. For more information, visit alphachihonor.org.

Colors: Gold Medallion on a Blue and Green Cord

Alpha Lambda Delta (First Year)

Alpha Lambda Delta is a national honor society that honors academic excellence during a student's first year in college. Its purpose is to encourage superior academic achievement among students in the first year, to promote intelligent living and a high standard of learning, and to assist students in recognizing and developing meaningful goals for their roles in society.

Colors: Gold, Red, White Cords

Chi Alpha Sigma (National College Athlete Honor Society)

Chi Alpha Sigma recognizes college student-athletes who earn a varsity letter in at least one sport while maintaining a 3.4 or higher cumulative GPA throughout their junior and senior years.

Colors: Bronze Medallion

Delta Mu Delta (Business)

Delta Mu Delta is a business honor society. It recognizes and encourages academic excellence of students at qualifying colleges and universities.  DMD is a community that fosters the well-being of its individual members and the business community through lifetime membership. The Zeta Zeta chapter of Delta Mu Delta was established at MCLA in 1992.

Colors: Purple, Gold Cords

Phi Alpha Theta (History)

Phi Alpha Theta is a professional society for promoting the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication, and the exchange of ideas among historians. It brings students, teachers, and writers of history together both intellectually and socially.

Colors: Madonna Red and Blue with Multi-Colors Tassel Cords

Pi Gamma Mu (Sociology; Anthropology; Social Work; Child and Family Studies; Criminal Justice; Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies)

Pi Gamma Mu is the oldest international honor society in the social sciences. Founded in 1924, its mission is to recognize excellence in social science scholarship, nurture leadership, and foster cooperation among its members. The blue and white cords stand for truth and light. The society's insignia represents social science knowledge production to understand and address social problems.

Colors: Blue and White Cords

Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science)

Pi Sigma Alpha is the only honor society for college students of political science in the United States. Its purpose is to stimulate scholarship and interest in the area of government and politics.

Colors: Red, White, and Black Multi-Colored Tassel Cords

Psi Chi (Psychology)

Psi Chi is the national honor society in psychology, founded in 1929 for the purposes of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship and advancing the science of psychology. Psi Chi is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies and is affiliated with both the American Psychological Association and the American Psychological Society, the professional societies for psychologists in the United States.

Colors: Gold and Blue Cords

Rho Pi Sigma (National Residence Hall Honorary)

Rho Pi Sigma is the MCLA chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH). Rho Pi Sigma honors and recognizes outstanding members of the MCLA residence areas.  Through the pillars of service and recognition, NRHH promotes a higher quality and standard of involvement and interaction within the residence area communities. Selection is based on demonstration of exceptional leadership within the residence areas, a good record of campus citizenship, and active participation in department sponsored activities and organizations. 

Colors: Blue, White Cords

Sigma Pi Sigma (Physics)

Sigma Pi Sigma is the national honor society in physics. Founded in 1921, Sigma Pi Sigma exists to honor outstanding scholarship in physics, to encourage interest in physics among students at all levels, to promote an attitude of service, and to provide a fellowship of persons who have excelled in physics.

Colors: White and Green Cord

Sigma Tau Delta (English)

Sigma Tau Delta is an international English honor society established in 1924 to confer distinction for high achievement in English language, literature, and writing. It is the second largest member of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS).

Colors: Red and Black

Student Philanthropy Program

The Student Philanthropy Cords represent a student's dedication and commitment to MCLA through their first philanthropic donation to the College toward their Senior Class Gift or other area of their choice. One of the College's core values is to instill a culture of giving back. Graduates who wear the blue and gold cords during Commencement are showing pride in this Institution and making a difference in the lives of future Trailblazers.

Colors: Blue and Gold Cord

Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Minor

This minor explores how gender and sexuality are socially, culturally, and historically constructed, negotiated, and contested; considers the feminist perspective in a variety of contexts; and approaches women, gender, and sexuality studies from an interdisciplinary perspective. 

Colors: Purple Cords