Online Honor Society Offers More than Academic Recognition

The idea was simple: offer online students at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) an opportunity to join a small honor society in 2014. What no one expected was the overwhelming response. Instead of a modest handful of students, more than 3,000 applications poured in, signaling a hunger for leadership development and recognition among SNHU’s diverse student body. By 2018, the SNHU chapter had swelled to nearly 20,000 members, making it one of the country's largest National Society for Leadership and Success (NSLS) chapters.

Fast-forward to September 13, 2024, and that number has more than tripled. According to Stacey Bissonnette, SNHU assistant director of student involvement, honor societies, the NSLS SNHU chapter now boasts over 63,000 total memberships. The growth speaks to the powerful draw of community, leadership development and networking opportunities that the NSLS offers its members.

So, What is the NSLS?

“The NSLS is a leadership honor society that helps students develop leadership skills and achieve their goals,” said Bissonnette. “The mission of the NSLS is to build leaders who make the world a better place."

At its core, the NSLS is more than just an academic accolade — it’s a comprehensive leadership development experience. This includes opportunities to participate in leadership training days, speaker broadcasts featuring industry leaders and networking events that connect members with like-minded peers and professionals.

Bissonnette said the goal is to provide a leadership program that helps you achieve personal and career growth and empowers you to positively impact your community.

Does Everyone Get Invited to the Honor Society?

The NSLS at SNHU is an invitation-only society, meaning only some students may have the opportunity to join. According to Bissonnette, you must meet specific eligibility requirements before being considered for membership.

For undergraduate students at SNHU, the membership criteria are as follows:

• Must be an online student in a course-based program
• Must have completed at least 18 credit hours at SNHU
• Must meet the minimum GPA requirements

For graduate students at SNHU:

• Must be an online student in a course-based program
• Must have completed at least 9 credit hours at SNHU
• Must meet the minimum GPA requirements

These requirements ensure invited students have already demonstrated a commitment to their academic success and have a solid foundation to build their leadership skills. The GPA requirement, in particular, signals that invited members have shown discipline and dedication in their studies.

What GPA Do You Need for the NSLS Honor Society?

“Undergraduate students must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and our graduate students must have a minimum of 3.5 GPA,” Bissonnette said.

These GPA thresholds can demonstrate a student’s ability to balance academic responsibilities with personal and professional development, qualities that are essential for leaders in today’s fast-paced world. While GPA is just one aspect of what makes a great leader, it's a benchmark for identifying students who have shown they can meet challenges and achieve their goals.

Does the NSLS Cost Money?

The short answer is yes.

“Once students are invited, they must fill out their membership profile and pay the $95 fee," said Bissonnette. She noted that it can vary depending on where you live because of shipping and taxes.

The NSLS membership offers networking opportunities within the SNHU community and the broader NSLS network, which can help members connect with professionals and peers who share their goals.

Students Taking the Lead 

There are many reasons why students choose to join the NSLS, and each member's experience is uniquely transformative. Ana Duarte Ramirez, a bachelor’s in criminal justice student at SNHU, made her decision so she could cultivate her leadership abilities and connect with people who share similar ambitions.

“The prospect of immersing myself in a community dedicated to fostering leadership skills and promoting service to others deeply resonated with my own goals and aspirations,” she said. “I am a leader at my school, a president of one of the criminal justice clubs’ organizations and NSLS has been an essential key in my leadership experience.”

For Duarte Ramirez, the NSLS has provided her opportunities beyond the classroom, such as participating in speaker broadcasts, networking events and mentorship sessions. “This involvement has not only enriched my knowledge but also provided practical applications that I can utilize in real-life situations," she said. 

Adam Robert Schultz '23, a bachelor’s in business administration graduate and MBA student, shared a similar sentiment. “I have learned how to more effectively motivate others toward their success," he said, "which has allowed me to grow as an educator in my current job role.”

Schultz, who initially joined the NSLS to build upon his leadership abilities, admitted that he was once intimidated by the prospect of returning to college. “As an older adult learner who was initially intimidated at the prospect of finishing my degree after a long absence from college studies, I realized the benefit of challenging myself,” he said.

Joining the NSLS marked a turning point for Schultz. It helped him unlock new leadership potential and refine his approach to motivating others, he said.

Karen Ann Hoare '23, a bachelor's in environmental science graduate and master's in data analytics student, had similar motivations for joining. “I joined the NSLS to learn more about what makes a great leader,” she said. “As someone looking to break into a new field, I thought the skills I could gain from NSLS could help.”

Like Schultz, Hoare was nervous when she first began her studies at SNHU, having been out of school for a long time. But, she kept her grades up and was eventually invited to join the NSLS. “I had never thought I could be a member of an honor society,” she said. “After joining NSLS, I gained enough confidence in my abilities to apply to be a member of the Student Engagement Council here at SNHU.”

Duarte Ramirez, Schultz and Hoare are all members of the SNHU Student Engagement Council, where they apply the leadership skills gained through their NSLS involvement.

Nicholas Patterson ’22 is a writer and alumnus of Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), where he earned his bachelor’s degree in English and creative writing. He is currently honing his craft further as he pursues an MFA in Creative Writing from SNHU. Connect with him on LinkedIn.