[2] Nu Alpha Kappa was a charter member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO).

[4] The fraternity began with fifteen friends at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, California who wanted to create a club for Hispanic students at the predominantly Anglo campus.

[4] The fraternity was established based on a commitment to "Carnalismo" or brotherhood, the search for knowledge, and the retention and pride of culture.

Eleven of the original organizing friends became the fraternity's founders, including:[3]The name ΝΑΚ was selected to represent the "nac" sound in Xinaco.

[3] Xinaco (CHI-Na-Kos), a Nahuatl word used by the Olmecs, describes "an educated, amiable individual whose personality and charisma transcends and enlightens all cultures and social".