Chi Sigma Iota, Alpha Upsilon Chapter International Honor Society for Counseling Students, Professional Counselors, and Counselor Educators

What is Chi Sigma Iota?

Chi Sigma Iota is an international honor society for counselors-in-training, counselor educators, and professional counselors. Its mission is to promote scholarship, research, professionalism, leadership, and excellence in counseling.

Chi Sigma Iota was established in 1985 through the efforts of leaders in the counseling profession whose desire was to provide recognition for outstanding achievement as well as outstanding service within the counseling profession. There are over 230 chapters of Chi Sigma Iota around the world, and international membership averages approximately 25,000 members.

About the Alpha Upsilon Chapter

The Alpha Upsilon Chapter is one of the largest and most internationally awarded chapters in Chi Sigma Iota. The Alpha Upsilon Chapter was one of the founding chapters of Chi Sigma Iota, and it maintains a local base of approximately 100 active members. The Alpha Upsilon Chapter's motto conforms to that of the international organization: "Not just another line on your resume." This quote reminds us that our participation in this honor society is more than a reflection of outstanding academic achievement and service to the profession. Accepting membership in the Alpha Upsilon Chapter signifies the taking of responsibility for ones own educational and professional identity development while simultaneously working to help improve the counseling profession as a whole. Alpha Upsilon Chapter members take pride in promoting excellence through scholarship, research, and counseling practice in the Department of Counseling and in their workplace after graduating with an advanced degree in counseling.

Professional Development and Active Learning Within the Alpha Upsilon Chapter

The Alpha Upsilon Chapter sponsors several activities each year to promote professional development and active learning opportunities for counselors-in-training and professional counselors. Some of these activities include new student orientation for master's and doctoral-level trainees in the Department of Counseling, seminars on professional issues and research methods, mentoring opportunities, workshops for master's-level comprehensive examinations. As a registered student organization at The University of Akron, the Alpha Upsilon Chapter typically receives grants for travel funds which are used to reimburse members' attendance at state and national counseling conferences/workshops. During 2007, the Alpha Upsilon Chapter was pleased to reimburse over $3,000 of members' travel expenses.

Community Building with the Alpha Upsilon Chapter

The Alpha Upsilon Chapter recognizes the importance of establishing professional relationships that will last a lifetime and that will foster excellence in counseling scholarship and practice. Members of the Alpha Upsilon Chapter attempt to build professional community relationships by sponsoring community workshops. The chapter newsletter titled "Alpha Upsilon's CHI TIMES" is distributed free to all members and was awarded the 2003 International Outstanding Newsletter Award.

Leadership Development within the Alpha Upsilon Chapter

The Alpha Upsilon Chapter is aware that in this time of changing professional roles, expectations, and licensure requirements, one of the most important skills a professional counselor can develop is the ability to lead. Leadership abilities not only assist counselors in their own professional roles, it also increases their potential to advocate for quality professional standards in education, client care, and the broader community. The Alpha Upsilon Chapter strongly supports the advocacy efforts of its members.

Benefits of Membership in the Alpha Upsilon Chapter

The Alpha Upsilon Chapter is viewed as a community, and members are encouraged to actively participate in its events and organizational structure. The Alpha Upsilon Chapter is also a registered student organization at The University of Akron. Therefore, students and professionals are afforded a wide variety of membership benefits:

• development of leadership skills through participation on the Executive Board
• receipt of the Alpha Upsilon's CHI TIMES free of charge
• invitations to workshops and activities at a reduced cost
• travel reimbursement for attending state and national conferences
• potential to win local and international awards for service, practice or research
• opportunities to participate in social events with faculty and student members
• networking with students and community professionals who can serve to advance their academic or counseling career

International Awards Received by the Alpha Upsilon Chapter

The Alpha Upsilon Chapter is among the most awarded chapters in Chi Sigma Iota. Once yearly the Chi Sigma Iota International Awards Committee bestows several prestigious awards to a Chapter or its members. The following international awards have been received by the Alpha Upsilon Chapter and its members:

Membership in the Alpha Upsilon Chapter

Membership criteria conform to the standards set by the National Headquarters: enrollment (or a previously acquired degree) in a graduate counseling program, completion of at least one semester of full-time coursework in that program, and a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above. The Executive Board of the Alpha Upsilon Chapter regularly reviews the educational achievements of students in the Department of Counseling. Students who fulfill the criteria described above are invited to join the honor society. Membership drives occur 1-2 times per year, usually during the latter part of the semester.

For further information about the Alpha Upsilon Chapter or Chi Sigma Iota, please contact the Faculty Advisor:

Dr. Robert C. Schwartz
Department of Counseling
The University of Akron
The C. P. & Cornelia Chima Family Center
127 S. Forge Street
Akron, OH 44325-5007
Phone: (330) 972-8155

Also, be sure to visit the Chi Sigma Iota Headquarters home page.