Start or Reactivate a
Phi Eta Sigma Chapter
Bringing early academic
recognition to your campus
​
Phi Eta Sigma is the original honor society recognizing academic excellence among first-year college students.
Colleges and universities partner with Phi Eta Sigma to formally acknowledge high-achieving students early—building confidence, engagement, and a foundation for leadership and service.
​
Institutions may either establish a new chapter or reactivate a chapter that has gone inactive. In both cases, the national office works collaboratively with campus leadership to ensure alignment with academic standards, institutional priorities, and long-term sustainability.
Who This Page Is For​
This information is intended for:
-
Faculty members and academic administrators
-
Honors college and first-year program leaders
-
Student affairs professionals
-
Former chapter advisors exploring reactivation
​​
Students interested in joining Phi Eta Sigma are selected by invitation through an active campus chapter.
Starting a New Chapter
Establishing a Phi Eta Sigma chapter provides national recognition for top first-year students while connecting them to scholarships, leadership development, and service opportunities beyond the campus level.
New chapters are created in partnership with the national office and are typically housed within academic affairs, honors programs, or student success initiatives.
​
New chapters receive:
-
National affiliation and recognition
-
Access to scholarships, leadership, and service programming
-
Advisor onboarding and ongoing support
-
A streamlined induction and reporting process
​
Starting a chapter allows institutions to celebrate academic excellence early while strengthening student engagement and retention.
Reactivating an
Existing Chapter
Reactivation offers an opportunity to reestablish a Phi Eta Sigma chapter with updated processes and renewed national support—without starting from the beginning.
Chapters may become inactive due to advisor transitions, structural changes, or shifting campus priorities. The reactivation process is designed to be flexible, collaborative, and responsive to current institutional needs.
Reactivated chapters benefit from:
-
Updated onboarding and advisor guidance
-
Support reconciling records and chapter status
-
Flexibility in relaunch timing and structure
-
Full access to national member benefits and programming
​
Reactivation provides a fresh start while preserving the chapter’s place within the Phi Eta Sigma Community.
What to Expect
The process to start or reactivate a chapter typically includes:
​
-
An initial conversation with the national office
-
Confirmation of institutional eligibility and interest
-
Advisor designation and onboarding
-
Planning for chapter launch or relaunch
​
Specific timelines and requirements vary by institution, and the national office works closely with each campus throughout the process.
Support from the
National Office
Phi Eta Sigma provides ongoing guidance to support chapters beyond launch. This includes assistance with induction practices, reporting, programming opportunities, and advisor resources.
​
The national office serves as a partner—offering structure and support while allowing chapters to reflect the culture and priorities of their campuses.