Alpha Psi Lambda

Alpha Psi Lambda was founded in May 1984, when Josue Cruz, an assistant vice provost for the Office of Minority Affairs at Ohio State University, aided a group of students in researching existing Greek Letter Organizations with the idea of forming a Latino-affinity group. Rather than join an existing group, the students decided to establish a new on-campus organization, co-educational in nature and with a Latino affinity.^[3][4] The thirteen founding members were as follows:^[4]

The Fraternity's founding date is celebrated as February 11, 1985, but it can trace steps made towards its formation to the year prior.^[4]

By 1991, it had emerged out of the Midwest region with the establishment of a chapter at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.^[3] In 1998, the Fraternity became a founding member of NALFO, a trade association of Latino fraternities and sororities, and remains a member today.^[5] Growth continued and 49 chapters have been established as of 2022.^[3]

Josue Cruz was recognized in 2020 as an honorary founder of Alpha Psi Lambda National, Inc. for his contributions.

At its founding, the Fraternity identified its mission: "To promote continued personal and collective growth of our membership, success and unity through education, leadership, cultural awareness, and community service."

To support this mission, the Fraternity identified an eight-fold statement of purpose as the aim of both chapters and individual members:

1. Serve the university campus and community.
2. Bring forth on a scholastic level, Hispanics/Latinos, and others at the university based on friendship.
3. Provide a supplementary educational, social, and cultural experience for the mutual cultivation of its members.
4. Advocate for the needs and concerns of Hispanic/Latino students.
5. Promote a basis for the diversity of the Hispanic/Latino cultures.
6. Enhance the educational experience through social and cultural activities, and assist in the development of members' leadership abilities.
7. Promote inter-fraternity relations.
8. Foster positive relations between the Greek system, University/College Administration, and the outside community."^[6]

Alpha Psi Lambda chapters note a "Founding Line" to recognize the initial class of chapter founders.^[7] Collegiate chapters have been formed at the following schools. Active chapters are indicated in bold and inactive chapters are indicated in italic.