Senior Service Award

Geographic Scope: National award for all Theta Phi Alpha chapters

Program Overview: Theta Phi Alpha's Senior Service Award is the highest award granted to a collegiate member. This national award is presented in recognition of a senior collegiate member whose scholarship, leadership, character, and service to the Fraternity and school has been outstanding during her years as a collegian.

Award Criteria

Recipients are selected based on:

• Scholarship: Academic performance
• Leadership: Demonstrated leadership abilities
• Character: Personal integrity and values
• Service to Fraternity: Active involvement in Theta Phi Alpha
• Service to School: Campus involvement and contributions
• Service to Community: Community engagement and service

Eligibility Requirements

• Membership Status: Senior collegiate member in good standing (academically and financially)
• Graduation Timeline: Must graduate before August 31, 2026 for 2025-2026 academic year consideration
• Alumna Status: Sisters who elect alumna status before graduating forfeit eligibility
• Special Status: Some sisters with special status may be eligible; check with Chapter/Emerging Chapter Advisor or National Office
• Financial Standing: Must be in good financial standing with chapter/emerging chapter
• Initiated Member: Must be an initiated member of Theta Phi Alpha

Selection Process

• Alumnae members of the Advisory Board vote as a majority to nominate up to two candidates per chapter/emerging chapter
• No more than one recipient per chapter may be selected each year by the Board of Trustees

Contact Information

Board of Trustees: seniorservice@thetaphialpha.org

Ashley Crews, Director of Collegiate Services: collegiateservices@thetaphialpha.org | 440-899-9282 option 2

Application Process

Application Deadline: November 1 (for 2026 award cycle)

Recommendation Form Deadline: November 30

Photo Submission Deadline: November 1

Required Materials

Primary Application (Due November 1)

1. Online Application Form - Available on myThetaPhi Member Portal
2. Personal Information:
   • Full name
   • Email address
   • Phone number
   • Chapter/Emerging Chapter affiliation
   • School address and home address
   • College/University name
3. Academic Information:
   • Cumulative College GPA (specify scale: 4.0, 6.0, 100, or other)
   • Expected degree(s)
   • Graduation date (MM/DD/YYYY format)
   • Month and year of initiation (or estimated installation date for emerging chapter members)
4. Activity Documentation:
   • Chapter/Emerging Chapter Activities (required)
   • Individual Awards and Honors within Theta Phi Alpha (required)
   • Campus Activities other than Theta Phi Alpha (required)
   • Non-Scholastic Activities and Organization Honors (required)
   • College or University Scholastic Honors and Departmental Honor Societies (required)
   • Community Activities (required)
5. Employment Information:
   • Type of employment held during college
   • Hours worked per week during school
   • Hours worked per week during breaks
6. Essay/Summary (Required):
   • Three (3) paragraph personal summary
   • Word count: 500-600 words
   • Content should include activities/honors not covered in application categories, accomplishments in office, and/or important moments as a sister of Theta Phi Alpha
   • Personal statement on how you exemplify the values of Theta Phi Alpha
7. Photo (Due November 1):
   • High-quality publicity photo (submitted separately)
   • Form available on Senior Service Award Information page
8. Verification:
   • Anticipated date of Founders' Day Celebration (Month and Day)
   • Confirmation of good financial standing with chapter/emerging chapter (Yes/No)
   • Initial to acknowledge that electing alumna status before graduation forfeits eligibility

Recommendation Form (Due November 30)

Submitted by: Any alumna member of the Chapter/Emerging Chapter Advisory Board

Alternative Submitters: If no Advisory Board exists:

• Conference Lead
• Emerging Chapters Lead
• Alumna National Officer

Recommendation Form Requirements:

1. Email address of recommender
2. Name of candidate
3. Chapter/Emerging Chapter name
4. Name of alumna advisor submitting form
5. Title on Advisory Board or as Alumna National Officer
6. Phone number of recommender
7. Narrative responses:
   • How long and in what capacity have you known this candidate?
   • Why do you recommend this member for the Senior Service Award?
   • Is there any additional information we should know?

Submission Method: Recommenders submit electronically directly via the form; NOT through the candidate

Chapter/Emerging Chapter Advisor Information

• Name (required)
• Phone number (required)
• Email address (required)

Submission Instructions

1. Application Submission:
   • Complete form on myThetaPhi Member Portal
   • Verify all information is complete, accurate, and truthful
   • Click SUBMIT button for application to be processed
   • Confirmation email will be sent to applicant, Chapter/Emerging Chapter Advisor, and alumna advisor
2. Recommendation Form Submission:
   • Recommender completes form electronically
   • Submitted directly by the recommender (not the candidate)
   • Confirmation sent to recommender
   • Applicant should follow up to confirm receipt
3. Photo Submission:
   • Separate form on Senior Service Award Information page
   • Due by November 1 to finalize application

Important Notes

• A confirmation email will be sent after application submission
• Follow up with both Chapter/Emerging Chapter Advisor and alumna advisor to ensure they received application copies
• Applications without a completed Recommendation Form will NOT be considered
• All materials must be submitted by deadline dates
• Resumes may be helpful for completing application