Founded at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, Chi Alpha Epsilon Academic Honor Society was organized in 1989. Responding to an increased need to acknowledge the continuing successes of students in the Academic Development Program and recognizing that students who share similar experiences could serve as significant models for others, a Greek letter honor society was proposed by Dr. Elbert Saddler. Members of XAE pledge to continue to excel academically, promote academic excellence in others, and to help those who genuinely aspire to the same goals.

Membership in Chi Alpha Epsilon is offered to eligible students and alumni who hold a 3.0 cumulative GPA for two consecutive full-time semesters and who were admitted to the university via higher education opportunity type programs are eligible for membership.  Once a student is inducted, they qualify for pin upgrades in future semesters as follows: 3.5-3.74 GPA qualifies for a Ruby upgrade; 3.75-3.99 qualifies for an Emerald upgrade; and a 4.0 GPA qualifies for a diamond.