AKD is a honor society for Sociology students. The purpose of AKD is to acknowledge and promote excellence in the study of sociology, the research of social problems, and other social and intellectual activities that will lead to the improvement in the human condition. Currently, there are more than 120,000 members nationally. For more information, visit Alpha Kappa Delta.

The ESJ minor program began in 2013. Since that time, program employees have hand-made graduate stoles. The stole represents completion of requirements while honoring student commitment to understanding and effectively using social justice frameworks to address equity issues in educational, nonprofit, public services, and private organizational settings.

Gold honor cords designate students graduating with magna cum laude or cum laude. Magna shall be awarded to students whose honor gpa places them at the 97th percentile or higher among graduating seniors. Cum laude shall be awarded to students whose honor gpa places them at the 92nd-96th percentile among graduating seniors. White cords are dedicated to students completing all of the requirements of the University Honors Program.

NSLS-WWU is a co-curricular AS club and leadership society which officially began at WWU in 2016, and is affiliated with the LEADS student leadership program and the Karen W. Morse Institute for Leadership. Students must be fully inducted (completed their orientation, DISC leadership inventory, leadership training, three peer success network (SNT) team meetings with documentation submitted and approved, and three speaker broadcasts) in order to qualify for any of the above graduation items.

Student Ambassadors embody, represent, and share the meaningful impact of philanthropy on behalf of the WWU Foundation and President. Gifts from alumni, parents and friends are critical to advance student success. This team is a collection of students from all colleges and walks of life who actively share their passion, pride and gratitude for those who support the Western community. These stoles indicate they have fulfilled their commitments to the program and thereby helped advance Western. For more information, visit WWU Student Ambassadors.

In 2011, the DRR minor became a way for students to understand and address the causes of disaster. Students explore how environmental disturbances impact vulnerable communities and how socio-political and historical processes in these communities create inequitable outcomes. Students that have successfully completed the DRR minor requirements may wear the DRR cord at graduation. It is a marker of their achievement and a reminder that they can support vulnerable communities in reducing disaster risk by addressing social and environmental injustice through planning, policy, advocacy, and education.