WELCOME TO PHI ALPHA!

Iota Pi Chapter

"Through Knowledge, the Challenge is to Serve"

LLU Department of Social Work and Social Ecology

About Us

Phi Alpha is an American honor society for professional social work students enrolled in programs accredited by the Council for Social Work Education (CSWE). Our chapter is a member of the national Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS). We chose to call our chapter Iota Pi meaning "love of humanity."

The purpose of the Phi Alpha Honor Society is to provide a closer bond among social work students and to promote humanitarian goals and ideals. Phi Alpha foster high standards of education for social workers and invites into membership those who have attained excellence in academic achievement in social work.

National Phi Alpha Honor Society Website

Membership Information

Membership Requirements

Completion of 13 units of graduate-level coursework
Minimum 3.5 GPA
Complete four hours of volunteer community service (annual requirement to maintain membership )
Attend two Wholeness Hour events (full-time/main campus students only - annual requirement to maintain membership)

Benefits

Becoming a member of a nationally recognized organization that supports high standards in professional social work education includes the following benefits, and more:

Identification on your professional resume as a Phi Alpha Honor Society member, acknowledging your commitment to academic excellence, social action engagement, and professional success.

Participation in scholarly activities and social action events.

Recognition with a certificate and pin at the Phi Alpha membership induction ceremony.
Special Phi Alpha honor cord worn with cap and gown during graduation (distributed at departmental graduation hooding ceremony).

How to Apply

1. Download and complete the fillable-pdf application.

Review for detailed membership information and requirements. Submit your completed application in Canvas Assignments. Link to the application and assignment here.

2. Verify your community service hours in Assignments. Four hours of community service is required for membership, completed by attending Phi Alpha events or individually in your community. SIMS mission trips count as service hours too! Link to verify your hours here.

3. Wholeness Hour requirement: view your attendance record here to make sure you've attended at least two events (Full-time, Main Campus students only - not required for online or part-time students).

4. Mail or drop off payment in the Phi Alpha dropbox on the social work campus (located in the 1st floor copy room).

- We accept cash or check. See instructions for mailing payment on the application form. Please do not send cash via USPS mail!

6. Wait to hear from us via email regarding your acceptance!

Questions? Contact us: phialpha@llu.edu

Phi Alpha Community Service Events

Phi Alpha coordinates a monthly volunteer service event in the community.

To become a member of Phi Alpha, you must complete 4 hours of volunteer community service before applying for membership.
Complete hours by attending Phi Alpha community events or volunteering on your own in your community.

Individual community service hours need approval from Phi Alpha to qualify for membership. Please email us for details.

- If you need help finding a place to do community service, send us an email! There are many great opportunities for service through LLUH's Community-Academic Partners in Service (CAPS), which you can sign up for on their website. See the list of pre-approved organizations under the individual service opportunities section below.

We also hold two fundraisers per year to help fund student activities and an annual graduation banquet for all graduating social work students each year.

Upcoming Phi Alpha Community Events

Thursday, Oct 16 (12–1 pm, in-person) – Community Resiliency Model (CRM) booster with Dr. Baek

Sunday, Oct 19 (6–7 pm, Zoom) – CRM online session with Dr. Baek

Thursday, Nov 6 (12–1 pm, in-person) – Mindful Art Activity: Mandalas with Nikkole

Sunday, Nov 9 (5–6 pm, Zoom) – Mindful Art Activity: Mandalas with Jesus

October Needs Drive

Needs Drive Operation Eden (1).png

Stay tuned for more of our upcoming community events ...

Past Events

Nov Helping Hands - Phi Alpha Poster (4).png

Individual Community Service Opportunities

- You may volunteer with an organization individually to fulfill the 4-hour community service requirement for membership, please email phialpha@llu.edu in advance for site approval. Submit the hours verification form through Canvas assignments. You may also volunteer individually with the following pre-approved organizations:
  
  Helping Hands Pantry
  - The work you will do at this location is primarily sorting and packing food and other items for those in need.
  - The warehouse is open for volunteers from 7 am to noon, Sunday through Wednesday. We especially need volunteers on Sundays, Mondays, and Wednesdays.
  Sign-up to volunteer through their website here: https://helpinghandspantry.org/volunteers/volunteer-application-form/
  
  Reading Partners
  - 1-month commitment minimum
  - Tutoring is one hour per week and will be with the same child for the entire duration.
  - One-on-one tutoring either online or virtually (curriculum will be provided)
  - Online or in-person training will be required before tutoring can begin.
  - Livescan background check required (can be done at one of their sites for free or independently, and they will reimburse the cost)
  - TB test (if tutoring in person)
  Pathways of Hope
  - They have four food pantry sites in Fullerton, Anaheim, and Cypress. They operate M-F with an AM and PM shift between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. There are two kinds of shifts: unloading and stocking or food distribution. The times for the shift type may vary depending on the site.
    - - Remote volunteer opportunities:
        
        Winter Care Kit PDF– You can help ensure the folks we serve have the hygiene items necessary to stay safe and healthy during winter.
        
        Making Family Welcome Kits PDF– The family welcome kits you make will be distributed to the families living in Pathways of Hope’s shelters.
        
        Cleaning & Laundry Care Kits PDF– These greatly support folks in our shelter and those moving into their new homes.
        
        Shelter Personal Care Kits PDF– Help us provide basic needs items to support the people we serve.
        
        Making Hygiene Kits PDF– Help ensure people have the hygiene items necessary to stay safe and healthy.
        
        Making School Backpacks– You can help ensure the students we serve are set up for success during the new school year.
  LLU CAPS
  
  Loma Linda University Community-Academic Partners in Service (CAPS) provides low-cost resources to meet vital needs in our community. Our work connects LLU students and local volunteers with people in need, fostering mutual growth through service.

Wholeness Hour Events

Phi Alpha hosts a monthly Wholeness Hour event for students on campus.

To become a member of Phi Alpha, you must attend 2 Wholeness Hour events (on-campus students only)

Wholeness Hours are small, hour-long campus events hosted by Phi Alpha that focus on student self-care and wellbeing. We teach and provide different coping skills (and snacks!) to help manage the stress of grad student life and promote well-being.

Upcoming Wholeness Hour Events

Thursday, Oct 16 (12–1 pm, in-person) – Community Resiliency Model (CRM) booster with Dr. Baek
Sunday, Oct 19 (6–7 pm, Zoom) – CRM online session with Dr. Baek
Thursday, Nov 6 (12–1 pm, in-person) – Mindful Art Activity: Mandalas with Nikkole
Sunday, Nov 9 (5–6 pm, Zoom) – Mindful Art Activity: Mandalas with Jesus

Stay tuned for our Fall event flyers...

Past Wholeness Hour Events

Connect With Us

Reach us at phialpha@llu.edu

Phi Alpha Leadership Team

Nikkole Harris, President

Jesus Vargas-Lopez, Vice President

Wendy De La Cruz, Treasurer

Kelly Baek,PhD, MSW, Faculty Liaison