Pi Alpha Alpha (PAA)

Pi Alpha Alpha (PAA) is the national honor society for the field of public affairs and public administration. Those universities and colleges which are members of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) are eligible to establish a PAA chapter.

The purpose of PAA is to encourage and recognize outstanding scholarship and accomplishment in public affairs and administration. The society seeks to promote the advancement of quality in the education and practice of the art and science of public affairs and administration. Pi Alpha Alpha objectives foster integrity, professionalism and effective performance in the conduct of government and related public service activities. Membership in PAA identifies those with the highest performance levels in educational programs, preparing them for public service careers.

Membership is by invitation only. Both undergraduate and graduate students in schools of public affairs and administration, faculty, alumni and public officials and scholars who have made significant contributions to the field are eligible for nomination. In addition, our local chapter may honor individuals who have achieved distinction in the field. At the national level, the society annually selects an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the field through the advancement of education or through the practice of public service. National Honorary Members include persons who have made outstanding contributions to national, state, and local governments.

There is a national initiation fee of $30 for life-time individual membership in the society. This national membership fee entitles each inductee to an engraved certificate and lapel pin or charm

Our chapter maintains close relations between our alumni and our degree programs. We sponsor an annual Pi Alpha Alpha luncheon each spring, where members, alumni, local governmental officials, and new members to be inducted are invited to attend. In addition, our chapter co-sponsors our annual Career Fair and Research Colloquium series.

At the national level, PI Alpha Alpha sponsors annual "Pi Alpha Alpha Student Manuscript Awards in Public Administration" competitions for the best paper written by a master's student and a doctoral student at a NASPAA member institution in public affairs and administration during the previous year.

Pi Alpha Alpha is member of the Association of College Honor Societies, a national organization dedicated to encouraging fraternal and specialized honor societies in establishing and maintaining high standards, scholarship and achievement of their members institution in public affairs and administration during the previous year.