Your key to a world of opportunities
Phi Theta Kappa's nonprofit mission is to recognize and promote student academic achievement. PTK provides opportunities to cultivate professional and leadership skills, secure scholarships, explore diverse career paths, and build a network of supportive peers and trusted advisors that last a lifetime.
Unlock Your Full Potential with Phi Theta Kappa
Member Benefits
Gain access to professional development and leadership courses, live webinars that address real-time opportunities and challenges, exclusive partner benefits and discounts, and PTK Connect—a powerful tool for college transfer and scholarship searches. PTK membership provides a wide range of benefits designed to support your educational, professional, and personal growth. Think of it like a gym membership—but for your future!
Scholarships
We are the nation's leading provider of scholarships for community college students. Click below to learn how our scholarships work, how to create a strong application, and how to apply for PTK member-only scholarships. Your membership gives you access to scholarships while you're in community college, transfer scholarships for your next steps, and ones to help you prepare for your future career.
Professional & Personal Development
As a member, you have unlimited access to a wide range of courses designed to prepare you for transfer to a four-year college, enhance your career skills, and support personal growth. Topics include salary negotiation, time management, stress management, effective body language, workplace professionalism, and much more. It’s like having your own personal transfer and career coach.
Leadership
Developing strong leaders and providing diverse leadership opportunities are central to PTK’s mission. Our leadership programs offer members the chance to participate in workshops, courses, and hands-on experiences that deepen their understanding of effective leadership. PTK’s leadership development initiatives are designed to help you build confidence, improve communication, and cultivate teamwork—preparing you for success in college, your career, and beyond.
Community
PTK members join a vibrant and inclusive community of ambitious students, innovators, and changemakers, forming connections that enhance both personal and professional networks. Whether you're looking to find a study group, make new friends, participate in leadership opportunities, or engage in community service, PTK offers countless ways to get involved. Join a community where you'll grow, lead, and make an impact both on campus and beyond.
Events
Connect with your PTK community through exciting events at your local chapter, regional conferences, and our annual international convention, PTK Catalyst. Whether you’re looking to expand your network, travel to new places, or experience leadership and professional development opportunities, PTK events offer it all. Discover the activities, workshops, and travel experiences waiting for you, and start planning your next adventure today!
Unlock Your Potential
Phi Theta Kappa is more than just an honor society. While we celebrate academic achievement, our mission goes further—offering scholarships, leadership development, career preparation, and a supportive community.
Check out this video to explore one of our most popular benefits—scholarships.
Connect with PTK on Social
📢 Fast-Track Your Transfer with PTK’s New Direct Admission Benefit!
Thinking about transferring to a four-year college or university? Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) just made it easier than ever.
As a PTK member, you can now gain fast-tracked entry into select transfer-friendly ...colleges and universities through PTK Connect’s new Direct Admission feature — with exclusive perks like:
✅ Waived application fees
✅ Automatic scholarships
✅ Honors program invitations
Why it matters:
Direct Admission helps simplify your transfer journey by:
• Saving you time and money
• Reducing application stress
• Offering a clear path to your next school
This benefit is available exclusively to PTK members.
If you're eligible for PTK, now's the perfect time to join — and unlock powerful transfer opportunities that can change your future.
🎓 Take a look at our direct admissions partners
#NationalTransferStudentWeek #HigherEd #Transfer
It's National Transfer Student Week, so let's check in with one of our favorite transfer students, past International Officer of Division III Britney Khan!
"After wrapping up my International Officer term with Phi Theta Kappa, I stepped into a season of milestones and new ...beginnings.
As a first-generation college student, graduating Magna Cum Laude from Ivy Tech Community College–Bloomington and serving as the student commencement speaker was a huge milestone. Standing at that podium, I felt the weight and the joy of generations. Although my family couldn’t be there in person for commencement, we were able to celebrate soon after. Two years since my last visit, I finally traveled back to Trinidad for a long-overdue homecoming, and for more than one plate of Mum’s cooking I’d been missing.
This fall, I became a Wolverine upon my official transfer to the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor to pursue my Bachelor of Arts in International Studies. I was humbled to be a Coca-Cola New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar. I was also named a Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholar, one of only 90 recipients nationwide and the sole recipient from Indiana, a scholarship that makes this dream possible.
At Michigan, I now serve as a Transfer Student Ambassador, where I help fellow transfer students find their community and feel supported as we navigate this transition together.
Even as the semester moves full steam ahead, my PTK and Ivy Tech families remain close to my heart, and I can’t wait to reconnect."
Phi Theta Kappa 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 like her to this leadership role.
Congratulations, Amanda!
https://www.ptk.org/phi-theta-kappa-foundation-names-amanda-karpinski-gorman-as-executive-director/
Join us for a virtual transfer fair featuring a diverse of lineup of colleges from across the country, including some Minority-Serving Institutions. Connect directly with admissions representatives, explore transfer opportunities, and learn about scholarships and support services designed to help ...you thrive at your next institution. All PTK members are welcome!
Register now: https://bit.ly/4hjC8Uv
It's National Transfer Student Week! Let's kick things off by celebrating some of the amazing colleges that not only accept transfer students but go above and beyond in supporting and celebrating them!
If you are looking for your transfer school, start with the schools on Phi ...Theta Kappa's Transfer Honor Roll!
https://www.ptk.org/scholarships/how-our-scholarships-work/university-partner-scholarships/transfer-honor-roll/
Tomorrow is the day! Make sure you are signed up for Scholar Dash now! Every dollar donated goes to students to help open doors to student.
Make sure to share your Scholar Dash photos with us🏃👟
Sign up now: ...https://changelives.ptkfoundation.org/event/scholar-dash-2025/e663487
Tomorrow is the day! Make sure you are signed up for Scholar Dash now! Every dollar donated goes to students to help open doors to student.
Make sure to share your Scholar Dash photos with us🏃👟
Sign up now: ...https://changelives.ptkfoundation.org/event/scholar-dash-2025/e663487
Where is Monserrat Rivero Sanchez, Past International Officer of Division II, now? Let's see!
“There was a moment when I felt completely defeated. I couldn't afford university, and starting at community college felt like the dream was slipping away. But everything changed when ...I found PTK. That community believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself.
Becoming a Phi Theta Kappa International Officer gave me purpose, confidence, and a sense of belonging I didn’t know I needed. It helped me grow not just as a leader, but as a person. That experience became the turning point, the pinnacle that just kept rising. Because of it, I earned a full-ride to Mississippi State University and now stand surrounded by opportunities I once thought were out of reach. What felt like the end of my dream became the beginning of something far greater.”
#PTKProud #PINO #IO #PTKAlumni
The Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is open now, and PTK is here to help you with your application!
Join us tomorrow at 3 PM CT for our webinar. Learn about the Cooke Foundation's Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship program for high-achieving community college ...students with financial need. Transfer students who are aiming to attend a four-year college or university in the fall may be eligible. About 75% of Cooke Transfer Scholars are PTK members!
Register now: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vNHe0jL0QZKAScZ64W5pPw#/
Congratulations to Dr. Monica Marlowe for being named Chair to the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation's Board of Trustees!
Dr. Marlowe brings nearly 30 years of experience in higher education, including more than a decade in advancement and fundraising.
As the former Executive ...Director of the PTK Foundation, she brings a deep understanding of the organization’s mission, vision, and purpose.
Dr. Marlowe currently serves as Development Officer at Bellarmine University, where she continues to create opportunities for students.
Read more:
https://www.ptk.org/phi-theta-kappa-foundation-names-dr-monica-marlowe-as-chair-of-the-board-of-trustees/
It's Scholar Dash Week!👟🏃
Let's take a look at the leaderboard!
In first place:
Top Team: Texas Region
Top Individual: James Carter
In second place:
Top Team: Leaders For Opportunity
Top Individual: Amy Winters
In third place: ...
Top team: Heartland Region
Top Individual: Dakota Lawson
But it's not over yet! Register now to help your regional team and donate to funds for students!
https://changelives.ptkfoundation.org/event/scholar-dash-2025/e663487
Congratulations to all of the new PTK members being inducted! Make sure to share your induction pictures and tag @phithetakappa!💙💛
We are less than 10 days away from Scholar Dash? PTK staff dashed and walked for scholars. Have you? Make sure to sign up and share photos of your Scholar Dash!👟🏃
#ScholarDash #PTK #scholardash2025
Terms may only last a year, but PTK is forever. Let's check in on our Past International Officers from 2024-2025- starting with Past International Officer for Division I, Alyssa DeFlorentis.
"When I was last on the PTK Catalyst stage, I was rocking a baby bump at 32 weeks ...pregnant. The plan was to walk at Cuyahoga Community College’s graduation on May 16, 2025… but my daughter had other plans! She decided to make her grand entrance a few days earlier on May 12.
Since I missed walking the stage, we made our own celebration four months later with a cap-and-gown photo shoot—complete with diplomas in one hand and baby girl in the other. Honestly, that felt even more special.
Motherhood has been the best adventure yet. Between late-night feedings, lots of baby giggles, and adjusting to our new “normal,” I’ve also jumped back into full-time work as a Marketing Design Coordinator for Acor Orthopaedic, a local medical device manufacturer. I’m putting my graphic design and web development credentials to use every day—and there are some exciting career growth opportunities on the horizon!
I was also accepted into SNHU’s MBA program (yay!), but my husband and I decided to hit pause while we navigate life as brand-new parents. For now, I’m soaking in this season—balancing family, career, and future goals—with a lot of joy (and plenty of coffee)."
#PTK #PTKProud #PINO
Congratulations to PTK Alumni Michael Story for being named the 2025 Elgin Community College Foundation Distinguished Alumni Award.
He graduated from ECC in 2003 with an Associate in Arts degree and again in 2004 with an Associate in Science degree. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree ...from Roosevelt University and an MBA from Webster University. He is now the co-founder and managing partner of Beckatt Solutions, a Chicago-based company specializing in 3D printing.
Earlier this year, Michael received the Board of Director's Alumni Achievement Award at PTK Catalyst.
Classes. Work. Sleep. Repeat. 😴
It doesn’t have to be that way.Elijah Bishop shows how campus involvement can make your college experience unforgettable.
Read more: https://www.ptk.org/the-college-buffet-all-you-can-eat/
the life of a scholar girl
The Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Application is now open! The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is a highly selective scholarship for the nation’s top community college students seeking to complete their bachelor’s degrees at four-year colleges or universities. Each... Cooke Scholar has access to generous financial support for two to three years, college planning support, ongoing advising, and the opportunity to connect with the thriving community of fellow Scholars.
Join Phi Theta Kappa's webinar and learn more about the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship on October 16 at 3pm CT.
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_vNHe0jL0QZKAScZ64W5pPw#/registration
Our PTK Headquarters team kicked off the day with some Scholar Dash fun! Want to help students become PTK members? Join us in supporting future scholars—sign up before Oct. 18! This is more than a 5K. This is the chance to open doors for others to have the opportunity to grow and ...succeed🏃💨👟
https://changelives.ptkfoundation.org/event/scholar-dash-2025/e663487
September is Workforce Development Month! Planning to enter the workforce after community college? Apply now for PTK’s New Century Workforce Pathway and Coca-Cola World Impact Scholarships – open through December 2nd. Don’t wait – apply today! And stay tuned: the Chime Workforce Scholarship... opens again this spring!
https://www.ptk.org/scholarships/apply-now/
The regional directors and consultants are passing the phone! Don't miss your call!
#JoinPTK
Share your favorite photos with your people! And, if you haven't found them yet, you'll find them in PTK💙💛
#FellowshipFriday #StrongerTogether #PTK #JoinPTK #AwarenessWeek
International VP Dakota McLaughlin is ready to help you take charge!
Today we’re spotlighting service through action—because service isn’t about showing up, it’s about stepping up. PTK members know that when we put our knowledge and resources to work, real impact happens. ...⚡️
PTK drives impact in powerful ways—saving lives through NMDP, opening doors with the Golden Opportunity Scholarship Fund, and advancing research that uplifts community college students everywhere! 🌟
Not sure where to begin? Step up to the causes that move you. Show up with the skills and heart you already have. Team up with peers and leaders who will help you go further! Explore PTK programs like Advocacy Edge or Leadership Development—and see just how far your action can reach. 💪
Ready to make your move? Your voice. Your cause. Your action. That’s how service becomes empowerment. 🚀
Comment with your favorite initiatives, service ideas, or tips and tricks for your fellow servant leaders! 📣
🚀 Curious about a career in business? Wondering how to get from community college to a global firm?
Join us for Business Careers Unboxed: Real Talk with KPMG Leaders 🎤✨
Hear directly from a KPMG Partner about their career journey, leadership insights, and opportunities ...designed just for community college students. Whether you're interested in accounting, consulting, technology, healthcare, or more—this session will show you what’s possible.
📅 Don't miss this webinar today at 4PM CT.
#BusinessCareers #KPMG #CareerPathways #CommunityCollege
Register now: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jZ8NouBqQeuDRcro-pC1vw#/registration
Your division reps are back to show you their favorite places at HQ. Let's take a look!
#AwarenessWeek #RealPTK #JoinPTK
Let's keep Toolbox Tuesday going! Did you know PTK has ongoing webinar series that address topics like financial aid, scholarships, career options, and more? Check out Expert Advice at ptk.org for a list of upcoming webinars.
While you're there, make sure to register for Resumes... in the Age of AI which will be hosted by Phi Theta Kappa President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. This webinar will give advice on how to create the best resume with AI taking a major role in the modern job application process.
The webinar will take place on September 30 at 2 PM CT.
Register now: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ci8KHBsrRbSeOfQjnRGHSQ#/registration