Sigma Alpha Lambda


Sigma Alpha Lambda National Leadership and Honors Organization is a National Leadership and Honors Organization with 70 chapters nationally and is dedicated to developing individuals and serving the community through local chapter efforts and national initiatives. SAL is built on service, leadership, and academic achievement and works to promote such academic achievement, as well as uniting its members in the pursuit of common goals of service, mentoring, and personal development.

Membership

Membership in Sigma Alpha Lambda is open to all undergraduate students who meet the national requirements of sophomore classification or higher with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Membership is also open to graduate students who meet the GPA requirement for undergraduates. Membership in Sigma Alpha Lambda means recognition for outstanding academic achievement, getting members engaged in service opportunities around their campus and community, and development of leadership skills. SAL is committed to helping members make the most out of their undergraduate experience. Members also have the opportunity to win various scholarships and awards through SAL ranging up to $5,000.

Scholarships and awards

Sigma Alpha Lambda offers its members annual scholarships and awards ranging up to $5,000.

New Member Award

Any new member who has joined SAL during the previous calendar year is eligible to win this award based on their significant contribution to their chapter during their first year as a member, as well as their academic excellence. This award amount ranges up to $500.

Path to Excellence Award

In order for members to be eligible for this award, they must have demonstrated one or all of the following, outstanding academic achievement, leadership skills, or community service. This award amount ranges up to $500.

Emerging Leaders Graduate Scholarship

Members eligible for this scholarship are those who have maintained significant academic performance, contributions to their community and chapter, and have at the time already been accepted to an accredited Graduate Program of Study. Scholarship award amounts range up to $1,000.

Chapter Leadership Award

Members eligible for the Chapter Leadership Award must have accomplished the following: contributed significantly to the operation of their existing chapter, upheld a significant academic performance, and demonstrated extraordinary leadership skills. Amounts for this award range up to $500.

Founding Officer Award

This award is for officers who have founded their chapter during the current academic year. Award amounts are up to $500.

National Academic Achievement Award

For this award no separate application is needed because all applicants of any of the above rewards and scholarships are eligible. This award is based on those applicants that have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment and achievement to their chapter throughout the most recent academic year. Award amount for this ranges up to $5000.

National initiatives

Each year, Sigma Alpha Lambda undertakes two national initiatives which are coordinated by the National Office in conjunction with the local chapter. Each Fall, the students work together to fight hunger with SAL's Food Fight against Hunger. In the Spring, the main focus is Relay for Life. Other recent national initiative include MLK Day of Service and 9/11 Memorial Flag Day.

Food Fight Against Hunger

SAL's Food Fight Against Hunger is a friendly competition that takes place every fall between SAL chapters all across the nation to raise the most non-perishable food items for local food banks. It is a way to bring all SAL chapters together for a good cause and to fight hunger across the nation. Since 2010, Sigma Alpha Lambda members have collected over 120,000 food items for their local food banks.

Relay for Life

Sigma Alpha Lambda is a National Youth Affiliate of the American Cancer Societies Relay for Life. Each spring, SAL chapters across the nation are encouraged to partake in their local Relay for Life and collect donations on behalf of their SAL team. In the 2018-2019 school year, Sigma Alpha Lambda members raised over $10,000 for Relay for Life, with the top three chapters each raising over $1,000.

MLK Day of Service

Each year, Sigma Alpha Lambda encourages its chapters and members to volunteer on MLK Day. SAL members have volunteered in a variety of ways, including helping out at animal shelters, packing meals cleaning up neighborhoods, and paining murals, among others.

9/11 Memorial Flag Day

Sigma Alpha Lambda encourages its chapters all over the nation to remember the tragedy of 9/11 on their campus's on behalf of SAL. Chapters receive American flags for this event and are encouraged to place them around noticeable spots on their campus to remind their fellow student body of the events of September 11, 2001. The event was started by Indiana State University Chapter in September 2007.

President's Volunteer Service Award

Sigma Alpha Lambda is a Certifying Organization for the President’s Volunteer Service Award and therefore has the ability to nominate members as potential recipients and distribute the award to those who meet the criteria for the PVSA. The PVSA is a highly regarded national honor that recognizes a volunteer's commitment. It is given by the President of the United States to individuals, groups, or families who have demonstrated a consistent volunteering and service commitment over a 12-month period. More information about the PVSA can be found on the SAL website.

Chapters

Sigma Alpha Lambda has 70 chapters at Universities around the United States. Below is the list of universities Sigma Alpha Lambda has chapters at currently or had in the past.