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,…
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 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 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…
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 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 (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…