Nineteen new members were inducted Nov. 17 into the newly re-established Alpha class of the Theta Chapter of Chi Sigma Alpha, a student affairs academic and professional international honor society at the University of Arkansas.

Chi Sigma Alpha includes both students in the higher education program at the U of A and associated alumni, faculty and practitioners. Leslie Jo Shelton, clinical assistant professor of higher education, serves as adviser to the chapter and was also initiated as a chapter member at the ceremony.

Jen Tuohy, a master's student who serves as chapter president, welcomed everyone to the ceremony, and Katie Martens, another master's student who is vice president, shared the organization's history and mission. The student leaders also welcomed the inductees with certificates, a Chi Sigma Alpha lapel pin, and by coordinating signing of the official membership book. CSA graduation cords were presented to Ramon Balderas, graduating master's student and new inductee.

The purpose of Chi Sigma Alpha is for its membership to maintain the highest standard of excellence in the field of student affairs. The society's three values are academics, research and service. For students, membership criteria include completion of a minimum number of credit hours in the higher education graduate program while maintaining a minimum grade-point average and completing service hours each semester.