National Pan-Hellenic Council – NPHC

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.