All Stories
A Cinderella Story, Rewritten: From One-Star to PTK’s Most Distinguished Chapter
Having spent more than a decade as a largely one-star chapter, the Alpha Psi Sigma Chapter at Springfield Technical Community College in Springfield, Massachusetts, has undergone a remarkable transformation, one that reflects not just renewed leadership, but a complete reimagining of what chapter engagement can look like. Since the arrival of advisors Dr. Reena Randhir and Dr. Nayanna…
Rider University Increases PTK Transfer Scholarship
Rider University in New Jersey is increasing their Phi Theta Kappa transfer scholarship from $2,000 to $5,000. Rider University is a private university in Lawrence Township, New Jersey. Rider ranks on U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges list and The Princeton Review’s Best Colleges list. Learn more about this transfer option in the Q&A…
Phi Theta Kappa Honors Nation’s Top Community College Presidents with Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) has named the 2026 recipients of the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction, the Society’s highest honor for community college presidents. The award is presented annually to college presidents who have demonstrated outstanding support for student success initiatives leading to stronger pathways for completion, transfer, and career readiness. Uniquely,…
Beyond the Hype: What I Learned Building AI for the Public Sector
By Guest Contributor Marlon P. Crespo Marlon is a Phi Theta Kappa member at Hudson County Community College and the valedictorian of his graduating class. There’s a lot of noise right now about how AI will “fix everything”. This past fall, I worked as an AI Product Management Intern with the New Jersey Department of…
St. Lawrence Offers One of the Largest Transfer Scholarships for PTK Students
St. Lawrence University in New York is offering a $50,000 yearly scholarship to Phi Theta Kappa members admitted to the university. St. Lawrence University is a private liberal arts college in Canton, New York, United States. It has roughly 2,100 undergraduate and 100 graduate students. Learn more about this transfer option in the Q&A below….
Phi Theta Kappa Honors 375 Chapters Expanding Opportunity Through REACH Rewards
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) is recognizing 375 chapters for their efforts to expand access to the life-changing benefits of PTK membership for eligible students on their campuses. This recognition is part of PTK’s REACH Rewards program, which supports Phi Theta Kappa’s mission by promoting intentional membership growth and chapter development. “Community college students work incredibly hard to…
Connect with Common App at PTK Catalyst
No matter where you are on your college journey, Common App makes transferring to college easier by meeting you right where you are. With one platform, you can apply to multiple colleges, saving time and money. During PTK Catalyst, be sure to stop by and connect with our team, grab Common App swag, and receive resources to…
Phi Theta Kappa Elects Mary Graham to International Board of Directors
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Mary Graham, President of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, to its International Board of Directors. A nationally respected leader in community college education, Dr. Graham brings extensive executive experience, institutional perspective, and a deep commitment to student success to Phi Theta…
Turn Your Idea Into Impact
Apply for the Community College Innovation Challenge Do you have a STEM-based idea with the potential to make an impact? Through the Community College Innovation Challenge (CCIC), students gain the tools, coaching, and experience to turn ideas into action and step into the role of innovators and entrepreneurs. Led by American Association of Community Colleges…
Sebastian Terry Inspires Students to Chase Bold Dreams
From personal loss to global inspiration, motivational speaker and bestselling author Sebastian Terry is joining the PTK Catalyst 2026 speaker lineup as a keynote speaker. Sebastian’s life changed in his mid-twenties after he lost a close friend, a moment that led him to ask a simple question: “Am I happy?” The answer was no. Determined to live…
PTK Alumna Tala Alahmar Named Policy Fellow
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is proud to celebrate alumna and board member Tala Alahmar on her appointment as a Policy Fellow with the New Democrat Coalition, a coalition of 115 forward-thinking members of Congress focused on results-driven policy solutions. In her new role, she will manage the Coalition’s portfolios in national security, including defense and…
Astronaut and Advocate Takes the Catalyst Stage
From the halls of Congress to outer space, astronaut and activist Amanda Nguyen is joining the PTK Catalyst 2026 speaker lineup as a keynote speaker in Baltimore, Maryland. In 2013, while she was a student at Harvard University, Amanda dreamed of being an astronaut, but her dreams were temporarily upended when she was sexually assaulted. Determined not…
Phi Theta Kappa Foundation Establishes David Shinn Family Scholarship Endowment to Support Future Global Leaders
The Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Foundation has announced the establishment of the David Shinn Family Scholarship Endowment, a permanent scholarship fund created by Ambassador David H. Shinn to support high-achieving community college students pursuing careers related to international affairs. An alumnus and longtime supporter of Phi Theta Kappa, Ambassador Shinn has dedicated his career to…
Phi Theta Kappa Appoints Dr. Samantha Levy as Chief Officer of Student Engagement
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society serving high-achieving students at community and technical colleges, has named Dr. Samantha Levy as its new Chief Officer of Student Engagement, effective immediately. In this role, Dr. Levy will provide executive leadership for PTK’s student engagement and membership strategy, guiding how students experience Phi Theta Kappa from…
From Uzbekistan to USC: How PTK and the Cooke Foundation Shaped a Future in Tech
By Sadokat Khakimova by PTK Alum and Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship Recipient as well as a Guistwhite (2021) and Oberndorf (2020) scholarship recipient. I grew up in the Central Asian country of Uzbekistan and arrived in the United States in 2018 with big dreams, limited resources, and no expectations. My initial plan was to head…
Do It Scared: Lessons from My PTK Leadership Path
By Raymond Philip, 2025-2026 International Vice President – Division II Imagine receiving an email from a professor telling you to join an honor society because your GPA is outstanding. Skeptical, you finally pay the fee just to stop the reminders. One day, you decide to attend a meeting. You walk in not knowing anyone, unsure…
Phi Theta Kappa Announces 2025 West Williamson Difference Maker Award Recipient
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) is proud to announce the recipient of the 2025 West Williamson Difference Maker Award, an honor celebrating staff members who embody a commitment to PTK’s members and mission, dedicated service, and an unwavering commitment to caring for others. The award is named in memory of West Williamson, a beloved…
Bennington College Offers Scholarship to PTK Transfer Students
Bennington College has created a new scholarship for PTK members transferring to their university. The scholarship amount is $10,000 per academic year. The scholarship is stackable and renewable. Learn more about this transfer option in the Q&A below. Tell us about your college’s new transfer scholarship for members of Phi Theta Kappa. For members of…