Tau Chi Alpha

Tau Chi Alpha (TXA) is the Environmental Engineering Honor Society.

The objective of TXA is to advance the environmental engineering profession by identifying and placing a mark of distinction on those environmental engineering students who have demonstrated high scholastic achievement and ethical character.

In 1992, the faculty at Manhattan College originated the idea of organizing an honor society to recognize environmental engineering students of high scholastic ability. The first students were inducted into TXA in 1995 and, with the support of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers (Academy), TXA secured a certificate of incorporation as a national honor society for environmental engineers from the State of Maryland in 1998. In 2024, to accommodate the significant growth in the fields of environmental engineering and environmental science, the Academy took the lead to update and reorganize the structure of TXA to better serve students in the environmental engineering profession, and to include environmental scientists and closely related disciplines.

Structure and Operation of Tau Chi Alpha

TXA chapters at academic institutions are administered by the TXA National Council whose members are appointed by the Academy Board of Trustees. Each TXA chapter has its own faculty advisor who oversees the activities of the local chapter.

Qualifications and Duties of the Faculty Advisor

The faculty advisor at a TXA chapter must be a member of the Academy, be a BCEE, BCES, BCEEM, or have other qualifications approved by the National Council. The faculty advisor must also be an honorary member of TXA (see next section). The faculty advisor is responsible for coordinating and promoting the activities of the chapter and providing recommendations for TXA candidates for induction into the honor society.

Click here to apply as a TXA Faculty Advisor.

Induction as an Honorary Member of TXA

Honorary members must have substantial achievements in environmental engineering, environmental science, or a related discipline. Honorary members can be faculty members, practicing professionals, or other members of the environmental related community. Candidates for Honorary Member must apply to the National Council that includes evidence of outstanding scholarship, leadership, and a dedication to service within the community of environmental engineers, environmental scientists, or a closely related discipline. Appointment as an Honorary Member is made by the National Council, and the decision is communicated to the Board of Trustees for awareness.

Requirements for Student Induction into TXA

The TXA Honor Society is open to students in environmental engineering, environmental science, and closely related disciplines. Inductees must meet the following requirements:

Junior, senior, or graduate student in an academic curriculum or program approved by the National Council
GPA ≥ 3.5 for undergraduates, or GPA ≥ 3.8 for graduate students
Be of good moral character
Be a Student Member of AAEES
Participates in student organization(s) related to environmental-related professions

Procedure for Inducting Students into TXA

The following is a typical procedure for nominating students for induction into TXA:

The Faculty Advisor (FA) identifies students who are qualified for induction into TXA,
The FA notifies the students of their nominations and asks them to each secure three letters of recommendation from faculty members using the standard form provided by the FA, and
Upon receipt of the letters of recommendation, the FA fills in the standard nomination form, attaches the letters of recommendation, and electronically submits the package to the TXA National Council.

Once the nomination is approved by the National Council, to complete the process there is a one-time membership fee to be paid by the student to cover the cost of the membership certificate, TXA lapel pin, and lifetime membership dues. The current one-time membership fee is $100. Inductions will occur towards the end of the fall and spring semester of each academic year, and deadlines for applications are November 1 and March 1 for fall and spring, respectively. Waivers of these deadlines with supporting rationale can be requested by the FA. Upon approval by the National Council, a candidate is admitted to membership in TXA.

Benefits of TXA Membership

Recognition of outstanding academic achievement in environmental engineering or closely related field, and lifetime membership in a prestigious honor society (TXA). For AAEES members, the TXA honor will be included in their Who’s Who profile.

Submission Forms and Handouts

The Student Nomination Form may be submitted online. Click the link below to complete the Student Nomination Form.

Online Tau Chi Alpha Student Nomination Form

Tau Chi Alpha Requirements

Each submission must include three letters of recommendation from faculty members.

Tau Chi Alpha Letter of Recommendation Form

How to Petition to Start a Chapter of Tau Chi Alpha

To start or reactivate a TXA chapter, the faculty advisor fills out and submits the Petition Form to the TXA National Council. Once approved, the chapter may begin activities and propose candidates for induction into TXA.