What is Sigma Kappa Delta?
Sigma Kappa Delta (SKD), the English Honor Society for two-year colleges, was founded in 1996 at Cottey College in Missouri. Sigma Kappa Delta headquarters is currently located at Calhoun Community College in Decatur, Alabama.
The society strives to:
- Confer distinction for high achievement in English language and literature in undergraduate studies;
- Provide, through its local chapters, cultural stimulation on college campuses and promote interest in literature and the English language in surrounding communities;
- Foster all aspects of the discipline of English, including literature, language, and writing;
- Promote exemplary character and good fellowship among its members;
- Exhibit high standards of academic excellence; and Serve society by fostering literacy.
Sigma Zeta, the SKD chapter established in April 2019 at Muskegon Community College, is more than just another college club. It is a unique entity that opens the doors of opportunity for its members and facilitates academic, professional, and personal growth. Each of 130-plus active chapters across the country is defined by its location and membership, yet bound to the rest by the common goal of promoting excellence in the disciplines of the English language.
Sigma Kappa Delta annually inducts approximately 2,500 members. Sigma Kappa Delta’s central purpose is to confer distinction upon students of the English language and literature in undergraduate studies.
Members of every chapter have the opportunity to share their love of literature and linguistics with like-minded peers, participate in rewarding activities, and be recognized for their accomplishments. They may also apply, or in some cases instantly qualify, for one or more of the Society’s numerous awards and scholarships. The guiding principles of Sigma Zeta can be found in its constitution.
Students Benefits
- Academic Recognition – Members receive a personalized Sigma Kappa Delta membership certificate and the official Society pin to signify high achievement in English language, writing, and literature.
- Scholarships – Members are eligible to apply for a variety of Sigma Kappa Delta scholarships valued at up to $750 each.
- Writing Awards and Opportunities – Members may submit papers for publication in The Hedera helix, Sigma Kappa Delta’s annual literary magazine. Works selected for publication are also eligible for overall awards and monetary prizes.
- Annual Convention – Members may submit papers for presentation at the annual Sigma Tau Delta, the four-year Honor Society, international convention. Works selected for presentation are also eligible for overall awards and monetary prizes. Members who attend the annual convention have opportunities to hear students from throughout the U.S. and abroad present their creative and critical writing, to attend sessions on student leadership and chapter activities, and to listen to presentations by noted authors. Featured speakers at past conventions include Neil Gaiman (2009), Azar Nafisi (2010), Poet Laureate Kay Ryan (2011), Natasha Trethewey (2012), Ursula Le Guin (2013) and Nnedi Okorafor (2019).
- Student Leadership and Community Services – Members compete for officer positions and take part in community service projects.
- Career Advancement – Members may use their honor society affiliation as a tangible sign of academic success to help advance their professional career.
- Lifetime Affiliation and Fellowship – Members have many opportunities to network with other Sigma Kappa Deltans through local chapter activities, the annual Sigma Tau Delta international convention, and online sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
Affiliation with River Voices
As an English Honor Society, Sigma Zeta will work alongside MCC English Honor Students (you can be a member of both groups) to solicit submittals of written work (fiction and non-fiction) and art (photography, drawings, paintings, etc.) to River Voices, MCC’s literary magazine.. Students will also work to select the works to publish and play the role of student editors.
Community Outreach Project
Each year, Sigma Zeta members will take part in helping to organize the annual River Voices release party. Along with that, members will choose a project based on literature, reading, or writing that will benefit either the Muskegon Community College community or the Muskegon community at large.
Student Membership
Student membership in Sigma Zeta is by invitation to students currently enrolled at MCC. It is an outward recognition of personal accomplishment and most members of SKD are invited to join Sigma Tau Delta, the four-year international Honor Society, upon transferring.
Membership in SKD’s Sigma Zeta Chapter is open to two-year college students of any major who meet the following criteria:
- Currently enrolled at Muskegon Community College
- Completed a minimum of one college level course in English language or literature, excluding developmental or remedial courses
- Earned a grade of “B” or better in all English classes
- Have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in general scholarship
- Have completed at least one semester or two quarters of college course work for a cumulative of 12 semester hours
- Pay the one-time $40 membership fee
Membership under Special Circumstances
- Students Who Retake Courses – Students who fail to meet the basic requirements because of poor English grades and who retake those courses may replace the lower grades with the higher grades when considering eligibility.
- Dual Enrollment Students – Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit programs allow eligible high school students to enroll in college courses for both high school and college credit. These classes may be taken at the college, at the high school, or online. Once they meet the required criteria for membership detailed above, they may join SKD, whether or not they have graduated high school.
- Provisional Members and Potential Members – SKD National encourages advisors to invite potential members to participate in chapter activities until they have met the criteria to join officially, at which time they may attend the convention and compete for SKD scholarships and awards.
- Honorary Memberships – Advisors are highly encouraged to thank faculty, staff, and administrators for their support of the local SKD Chapter with an honorary membership. Honorary members are authorized to wear the graduation honor cords and lapel pin.
Contacts
To inquire into joining or for any other questions, please contact either Sean Colcleasure at sean.colcleasure@muskegoncc.edu or Shauna Hayes at shauna.hayes@muskegoncc.edu.
President: Jennafer Lavette, Vice President: Sidney Gould, Social Media Coordinator: Haylee Spicklemire, Secretary: Candace Cloud
Sigma Kappa Delta Application for Membership Consideration