The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is composed of nine (9) sororities and fraternities, either of which are active at USC: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc..
USC NPHC History
Special thank you to Dr. Syreeta Greene for her time and insight on USC NPHC History.
NPHC has a rich and extensive history at USC, and led the way in creating student life, especially for Black students, as the university began in 1880.
NPHC Chapters at USC first began their journey with the Alpha Delta chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. on February 2, 1921, celebrating their 100 year centennial in 2021. This was the first chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. on the west coast. This was only 41 years after the university opened its doors.
On May 3rd, 1923 the Lambda chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. was established at USC. Lambda is the only single letter Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. chapter on the west coast. USC looks to celebrate their 100 year centennial in 2023.
The first NPHC sorority was established at USC with the chartering of the Upsilon chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc in 1924. Upsilon was only the third Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. chapter on the west coast at the time. USC looks to celebrate their 100 year centennial in 2024. The Sigma city-wide chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. was founded at USC in 1922, and later would become chartered as the Iota Beta chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at USC on May 18, 1974.
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Beta Omega chapter was established on July 2, 1947.
The 1980s welcome several NPHC organizations to USC: The Theta Epsilon chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. on May 9, 1980, the Gamma Lambda chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. on May 24, 1981 and the Nu Upsilon chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. in 1981. In 1995, all chartered chapters at USC formed the USC NPHC.
USC is home to eight of the Divine Nine organizations.
