Our Principles
The Meaning Behind Kappa Alpha Pi
KAPPA
κακουχία — Hardship
Hardship defines the Kappa Alpha Pi experience. Members are held to a rigorous standard of professional development that demands preparation, accountability, and purposeful networking. Through consistent expectations and repeated engagement with peers and professionals, members develop discipline and learn to operate confidently in competitive environments.
ALPHA
αδελφότητα — Brotherhood
Brotherhood defines the culture of Kappa Alpha Pi. The fraternity brings together individuals with shared interests in government and law and fosters a community rooted in trust, loyalty, and mutual respect. Through shared experiences and a strong social foundation, members form relationships that endure beyond any single academic or professional pursuit.
PI
πρόοδος — Progress
Progress reflects the fraternity’s forward-looking focus. Kappa Alpha Pi emphasizes exposure to opportunities that help members translate ambition into tangible next steps, from conversations with professionals to access to academic and career resources. By encouraging long-term thinking and deliberate engagement, the fraternity prepares members to advance with confidence and direction.
Our History
Kappa Alpha Pi was founded nationally in 2007 by a group of undergraduate students who believed that professional ambition should be matched by character, integrity, and community. Seeking a more intentional professional brotherhood, the founders set out to build an organization grounded in shared values, mutual accountability, and long-term growth. Since its founding, Kappa Alpha Pi has grown into a respected national fraternity with chapters at leading universities across the country.
Kappa Alpha Pi was established at Vanderbilt University in 2025, when two students recognized the absence of a professional brotherhood on campus centered on government and law. Their initial vision quickly expanded into a founding class of ten, who together chartered the Alpha Chi Chapter. From the outset, the chapter was built collectively, with early members sharing responsibility for shaping its culture, values, and long-term direction.
The Alpha Chi Chapter quickly gained momentum and established a strong presence on campus. Today, Kappa Alpha Pi is the fastest-growing professional fraternity at Vanderbilt, bringing together members from around the world who share a commitment to leadership, professionalism, and excellence at the intersection of government and law.
“Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike.”
Theodore Roosevelt | American Ideals