In October of 1987, Professor Linda Reese and Dr. Phyllis Collins approached Dr. Louise Malarkey, Chair of the Department of Nursing, about starting a chapter of Sigma Theta Tau at the College of Staten Island. Dr. Malarkey supported the idea and, in May, 1988, a Steering Committee to form a local honor society, the first step to becoming a chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, was formed. The Steering Committee consisted of faculty members who were currently Sigma members, students and alumni. The first official meeting of the Steering Committee was May 25th, 1988. The Steering Committee worked diligently to develop the Honor Society's goals and purposes, create bylaws, and set up a treasury. The first induction ceremony for the Honor Society was held on January 25, 1989. One hundred seven members were inducted at the first induction. Under the guidance of Dr. Judy Carlson-Catalano, President, and Dr. Barbara Kraynyak Luise, Vice-President, our local Honor Society submitted a charter application to Sigma Theta Tau in fall of 1991. Dr. Mae Pepper conducted an on site visit in Spring of 1991 and told the membership that she would highly recommend the Honor Society for acceptance into Sigma Theta Tau International.

In November of 1991, Dr. Judy Carlson-Catalano and Dr. Barbara Kraynyak Luise presented a petition to Charter the Mu Upsilon Chapter to the House of Delegates of Sigma Theta Tau International at the biennial convention. On April 4th, 1992, Mu Upsilon at the College of Staten Island was proudly chartered as a chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International. Two hundred thirteen members were inducted that day. Mu Upsilon has since grown to a total of 442 members ranging across the United States and abroad to include members in Japan and Spain.

Sigma Theta Tau International was established in 1922 by six students at the Indiana University School of Nursing in Indianapolis, Indiana to recognize scholarly achievement in nursing.

The society began with one chapter and six members. During the past 78 years, it has grown to 403 chapters across the globe with 270,000 members who live in more than 80 different countries. It is doubtful that the six nursing students had any idea of the impact their honor society would have on nursing worldwide.

Sigma Theta Tau International represents excellence in nursing. That excellence is reflected in the achievements of individual members, and the organization as a whole. The vision of Sigma Theta Tau International is to create a global community of nurses who are leaders in the use of scholarship and technology to improve the health of the world's people.