Massey selected for Tri-Alpha honors at Mercy College of Ohio
Mercy College of Ohio established a new chapter of an honor society tailored for first-generation college students: Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha), marking the seventh chapter in Ohio.
On Feb. 15, Mercy College hosted a ceremony to honor the inaugural cohort of 61 Tri-Alpha inductees. Among the students honored was Brittany Massey of Lynchburg.
First-generation college students, pioneers within their families in pursuing higher education, comprise this distinguished group. These individuals are the first in their families to embark on the journey of attaining a college degree, with neither of their parents, step-parents, nor legal guardians having obtained a bachelor’s degree.
Joining the 61 students in this induction are 17 faculty and staff members who either self-identify as first-generation or are deeply committed to supporting first-generation individuals.
Melanie Rockhill, Director of Retention and Success Strategies at Mercy College, states, “We recognize the unique challenges faced by students who are the first in their families to pursue a college degree and are committed to supporting them. The establishment of this chapter provides first-generation college students with a supportive network of peers, mentors, leadership avenues and resources to navigate their journey to graduation and help build them into the healthcare professionals they aspire to become.”
Students become eligible for induction into Tri-Alpha by completing a minimum of 30 credit hours toward an associate’s or baccalaureate degree and maintaining an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2. First-generation graduate students must have completed the equivalent of at least one term (9 or more graduate credits) and possess a GPA in their graduate program of at least 3.5.
About Mercy College of Ohio: Mercy College of Ohio is a Catholic institution sponsored by Mercy Health. It focuses on healthcare and health science programs in both on-campus and online formats. Mercy College offers degrees at the graduate, bachelor's, associate level, and certificate programs. More information is available at mercycollege.edu.
About Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha): Tri-Alpha is an honor society dedicated to recognizing the achievements of first-generation college students and providing them with support, mentorship, and resources to succeed academically and professionally. With chapters across the United States, Tri-Alpha celebrates the resilience and determination of first-generation students and strives to empower them to reach their full potential.
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