The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc., or NPHC, is the governing organization of historically African-American Greek-letter organizations. The acronym, NPHC, also refers to the local governing council at UA Little Rock.
Since its establishment in 1930, the NPHC has focused on the concept that, “Where there is unity, there is strength.” Its main purpose is to initiate cooperation, oversee and maintain programs, activities, and matters of mutual concern, and serve as a united voice for all affiliate fraternities and sororities.
NPHC Fraternities
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Local Chapter Name: Kappa Psi
Founded: December 4, 1906 at Cornell University
Colors: Black and Old Gold
Mascot/Symbol: Great Sphinx of Giza
Motto: “First of all, servants of all, we shall transcend all.”
National Programs: Go–To–High School, Go–To–College; Project Alpha; A Voteless People Is A Hopeless People
Special Projects: Big Brothers/Big Sisters mentoring partnership; Boy Scouts of America; College Life to Corporate Life Initiative (C2C); Leadership Development Institutes; 50 Million Pound Challenge (Live Well O-Six!)
National Website: www.alpha-phi-alpha.com
Famous Alumni: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (civil rights activist), Keenan Ivory Wayans (comedian), Delano Lewis (former president of National Public Radio), Thurgood Marshall (civil rights activist, Supreme Court justice)
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Local Chapter Name: Theta Epsilon
Founded: January 5, 1911 at Indiana University
Colors: Crimson and Cream
Mascot/Symbol: Diamond
Motto: “Achievement in every field of human endeavor.”
National Website: www.kappaalphapsi1911.com
Famous Alumni: Kevin Eubanks (musician), Montell Jordan (singer), Cedric “The Entertainer” Kyles (comedian), Travis Smiley (talk show host), Rodney C. Atkins (vice president of development for IBM Systems & Technology Group)
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Local Chapter Name: Pi Kappa
Founded: November 17, 1911 at Howard University
Colors: Royal Purple and Old Gold
Mascot/ Symbol: Lamp
Motto: “Friendship is essential to the soul.”
Programs: Achievement Week, Scholarship Program, Social Action, Talent Hunt, Memorial Service, Reclamation and Retention, College Endowment Fund, Health Initiatives, Voter Registration/Education/Mobilization, NAACP
National Website: www.oppf.org
Famous Alumni: Earl Graves (founder of Black Enterprise Magazine), Edward Lewis (chairman and CEO of Essence Communications), Steve Harvey (comedian/radio and TV host), Michael Jordan (professional basketball player)
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Local Chapter Name: Alpha Beta Eta
Founded: January 9, 1914 at Howard University
Colors: Royal Blue and Pure White
Mascot/ Symbol: Dove
Motto: “Culture for service, service for humanity.”
Programs: HPPE Partnership, Sigma Wellness, My Brother’s Keeper, Bigger & Better Business
National Website: phibetasigma1914.org
Famous Alumni: Terrance Howard (actor) Bill Clinton (past U.S. president) Richard Sherman (athlete) King Bach (actor)
NPHC Sororities
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Local Chapter Name: Epsilon Phi
Founded: January 15, 1908 at Howard University
Colors: Salmon Pink and Apple Green
Mascot/Symbol: Ivy Leaf
Motto: “By culture and merit.”
Programs: Emerging Young Leaders (EYL) Initiatives; Health Initiatives- Asthma Prevention and Management Initiative; Health Initiatives- Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability; Global Poverty; Economic Security Initiative; Social Justice and Human Rights Initiative; Internal Leadership Training for External Service Initiative
National Website: www.aka1908.com
Famous Alumna: Phylicia Rashad (actress), Wanda Sykes (comedian), Star Jones ( TV host), Inga Ballard (actress), Cicily Daniels (actress), Anita Davis DeFoe (author)
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Local Chapter Name: Mu Kappa
Founded: January 13, 1913 at Howard University
Colors: Crimson and Cream
Mascot/ Symbol: Fortitude
Motto: “Intelligence is the torch of wisdom.”
Programs: Financial Fortitude: Smart Women Finish Rich; Dr. Betty Shabazz Delta Academy; Delta GEMS – Growing and Empowering Myself Successfully; Mary Help of the Sick Mission Hospital (formerly Thika Memorial Hospital); Total Woman: Mind, Body, and Spirit; Delta Days in the Nations Capital; Delta Days at the United Nations; and Voting Rights
National Website: www.deltasigmatheta.org
Famous Alumna: Keshia Knight Pulliam (actress), Kym Whitley (comedian/actress), Harriette Cole (creative director for Ebony Magazine), Natalie Cole (singer), Aretha Franklin (singer), Kysa Daniels (CNN Headline News anchor), Daisy Bates (activist)
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Local Chapter Name: Xi Theta
Founded: January 16, 1920 at Howard University
Colors: Royal Blue and White
Mascot/ Symbol: White Dove
Motto: “A community-conscious, action-oriented organization.”
Programs: Stork’s Nest, Z-HOPE, and National Education Foundation
National Website: www.zphib1920.org
Local Website: Xi Theta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Instagram: @ualrzetas
Famous Alumna: Dionne Warwick (singer), Towanda Braxton (singer), Sheryl Underwood (comedian), Minnie Riperton (singer), Zora Neale Hurston (author), Esther Rolle (actress), and Sylenna Johnson (singer)
Membership Intake
Membership intake is the National Pan-Hellenic Council’s deferred recruitment process. Sometimes it’s referred to as “MIP” or Membership Intake Process.
Basic requirements for joining any NPHC organization:
- Must be a full-time student (enrolled in at least 12 hours the semester of application)
- Maintain at least a 2.5 GPA
- Completed a minimum of 12 credit hours
- Pay the $15 application fee (come to the Student Experience Center in DSC 216 to pay)
Steps to becoming a member of an NPHC organization:
- Fill out the Fraternity & Sorority Application
- Attend the interest meeting/activity for the individual organization
- Attend an NPHC Greek Forum (these will be held in conjunction with the interest meeting/activity)
- Apply to the organization
- Meet organization requirements and receive an acceptance letter
Each organization has its own financial obligations and specific requirements for membership. One-time fees include initiation fees, induction fees, etc.
If you have any questions, please contact greeklife@ualr.edu.
