“Isn’t that like a sorority or fraternity?” a student asked upon hearing about an honor society with Greek letters in its name. Sigma Alpha Pi, also known as The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS), is the largest accredited leadership honor society in the United States. But what does it mean to be the largest accredited honor society? Simply put, the NSLS has more members than any similar organization while also meeting the rigorous standards required of recognized honor societies. Although Sigma Alpha Pi uses Greek letters to represent itself, it is not affiliated with Greek life in any way.
The NSLS was founded by Gary Tuerack, who initially traveled to colleges delivering leadership development presentations. Wishing to leave a lasting impact, he created the NSLS to provide students with ongoing motivation, support, and training to become effective leaders. Since its inception, the organization has grown to over 2 million members across 800+ chapters. Its primary focus lies in fostering leadership development and celebrating academic achievement.
Membership is typically by invitation. Students are often invited to join based on specific eligibility criteria set by their college or university, such as academic performance, leadership potential, or active involvement in campus life.
Once invited, students are required to pay a membership fee to officially join. After enrollment, members must complete a leadership program, which includes attending an orientation, participating in leadership training days, engaging in Success Networking Teams, and viewing a speaker broadcast series. Upon completion, members are inducted into the NSLS and receive full access to its benefits, including certificates and other resources. Some students who have not received an invitation but meet the qualifications can also apply directly to NSLS through their affiliated chapter.
Membership in the NSLS comes with a variety of benefits. Members gain access to specialized leadership training programs, which help cultivate essential skills such as goal-setting and communication. The NSLS also offers scholarships and awards, totaling over $400,000 annually, providing financial support for members pursuing their goals. Networking is another key benefit, allowing members to connect with peers, professionals, and alumni who share similar ambitions. Additionally, members receive career assistance, including personalized letters of recommendation, access to a curated job board and career coaching.
