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…
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 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 has created a new scholarship for PTK members transferring to their university. Previously, members were not eligible for the scholarship if they took a break between attending community college and transfer to NAU, but NAU has removed that stipulation from the eligibility criteria, which allows PTK members with breaks in enrollment to qualify…
By Dakota McLaughlin, 2025-2026 International Vice President – Division III Can I be real with you? College costs way more than money. It eats up your time, your energy, and sometimes even your peace of mind. But what if I told you there’s a way to lighten that load? As a community college student who has earned…
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is proud to announce that Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and CEO, has been appointed to the national American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Commission on Research and Community College Trends and Issues. The commission will focus on current and future trends impacting community colleges; advise AACC leadership on potential data sets…
By 2025-2026 International President Lulu McGowan Imagine walking into a new campus—tall buildings, packed hallways, and unfamiliar faces everywhere. It’s exciting, but also overwhelming. Where do you fit in? As a dual-enrollment student, you already know what it means to push yourself. Balancing high school and college is no small feat. The good news? Phi Theta Kappa (PTK)…
By Anna Maria Dennis, International Vice President of Division IV Some students wait for perfection before they take action. Others only need a small spark, just enough light to help them see the path ahead. That is exactly what provisional membership in Phi Theta Kappa provides: a spark. Provisional membership allows students who don’t yet…
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society and the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation are pleased to announce the appointment of Amanda Karpinski Gorman as its new Executive Director following a national search. A proud PTK alumna and former International President, Karpinski Gorman brings her deep connection to the organization and passion for empowering community college students…
The Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Foundation announces the appointment of Kevin Byrne to its Board of Trustees. Byrne brings more than two decades of experience in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership to the board. Byrne currently serves as CEO of the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation and the Elisabeth C. DeLuca Foundation, where he leads strategic grantmaking…
By Elijah Bishop, International Vice President of Division I Starting college can feel like a full-time juggling act. Most of us spend hours keeping up with classes and studying. Some of us add a part-time job, a social life, and—if we’re lucky—a little sleep. That can get you to graduation, but if that’s all you…
Recently, Elmira College was named to the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s Transfer Honor Roll, recognizing EC for developing academic programs of interest to community college students and providing transfer support, making it easier for those students to earn their four-year degrees. This marked the fifth year EC has earned this prestigious honor. In light…