Student Organizations

Student organizations represent an important part of the undergraduate experience at Holy Family University. All students are encouraged to join and participate in different campus and community activities, where you’ll meet new friends, get to know faculty and staff, and enjoy some fun outside the classroom. In addition to joining the many campus-wide student organizations, education majors may be eligible for membership or participation in the following student groups:

Alpha Upsilon Alpha- Beta Epsilon Chapter
The Honor Society of the International Reading Association
Faculty Moderator: DR. HELEN HOFFNER

Graduate students seeking a master's degree with certification as a reading specialist or reading supervisor are invited to join the Alpha Upsilon Alpha Honor Society of the International Reading Association. Membership in Alpha Upsilon Alpha enables students to grow professionally as they meet with area reading professionals to discuss reading research and effective strategies. Members provide service to area schools and literacy organizations. Alpha Upsilon Alpha members must have completed a minimum of nine semester hours in reading at the graduate level and have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher in all graduate work. For more information contact the faculty moderator to Alpha Upsilon Alpha.

Education Connections Society
Faculty Moderator: DR. PATRICIA DUNCAN

Ed ConnectionsThe Education Connections Society focuses on service and support within the University community, to the larger society, and to each other. Typical activities of the club include: community service projects, University-based services with other clubs, fundraising, and more. The club especially seeks participation from education majors who want to make a difference in the University and local communities while attending Holy Family.

Meetings are held every other week from 12:30 to 1:20 pm. Please check the Holy Family calendar for meeting dates. This is a great experience and "treasured" opportunity to offer time to do something for others affiliated with the education realm. Membership also adds a "personal touch" to one's professional development.

Access to the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) is also available through Education Connections. Students can join the PSEA, a recognized state professional education organization, which is a branch of the National Education Association (NEA). Yearly dues are required for membership in this organization (begins in September and expires in August). Benefits include subscription to professional publications as well as placements during the Junior year, and the Professional Semester/Student Teaching experience during the Senior year.

For further information, contact either the Coordinator of Student Services at the Northeast/Newtown campus or an Education Connections officer.

Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society, Upsilon Omicron Chapter
Faculty Moderator: DR. PATRICIA DUNCAN
Officers: Michelle Scutti; Michelle Dunaway; Marissa Iannarelli; Nicole Galiano; Kelly Anne Wilkinson.

Kappa Delta Pi is an international honor society that promotes excellence in education and recognizes outstanding contributions to the field. Kappa Delta Pi endeavors to maintain a high degree of professional fellowship among its members, to quicken professional growth, and to honor achievement in educational work. To these ends, it invites to membership persons who exhibit commendable professional qualities, worthy educational ideals, distinctive achievement, and sound scholarship.

School of Education Honors
Undergraduate students from the School of Education may apply for School of Education Honors during their senior year prior to graduation. The deadline for applications March 15. The pinning ceremony will be held before the Graduation Mass of Thanksgiving.

To be considered for the School of Education Honors, students must submit a letter of application to Dr. Patricia Joergensen, Elementary Education Undergraduate Chair. To be accepted the letter must include the following.

  • Your certification area the school of Education
  • Intended month and year of graduation.
  • GPA in all Education courses. This must be a 3.5 average or higher. If this GPA is below 3.5, do not apply, as you are not eligible. To see instructions for computing your GPA see: Compute GPA
  • You must have completed more than half of your education courses from Holy Family University in order to qualify. If half or more all education courses were completed outside of Holy Family University, do not apply, as you are not eligible.
  • You must have demonstrated outstanding performance in field experiences and student teaching.
  • All applications must include phone numbers and e-mail addresses.
  • Applications received after the due date cannot be considered due to publication deadlines.

Please send or deliver the application letter to
Holy Family University
School of Education
ETC Building, 4th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19114

Attention: School of Education Honors.