Guam Advisor Appointed to Society's Board of Directors
Phi Theta Kappa advisor Eric Chong of Guam Community College has been appointed
Chapter Advisor Representative for Phi Theta Kappa's Board
of Directors.
Chong will complete the unexpired term
of Susan Edwards, former chapter advisor at Cy-Fair College in Texas, who
resigned to join Phi Theta Kappa's staff as Director of Honors Programs.
The Board of Directors is the governing body of Phi Theta Kappa
International Honor Society. The Board consists of the Executive Director,
a two-year college administrator, a faculty advisor, a regional coordinator,
an alumnus, an international honorary member and a student representative.
The Board of Directors serves as the fiduciary trustee for the organization,
establishes policy, and charts strategic direction for the organization.
It ensures that the organization's mission to nurture academic excellence
among two-year college students is reflected in all Society programs and
endeavors.
"I am honored and thrilled to be on the Board of Directors.
I recognize the tremendous benefits Phi Theta Kappa offers for our members.
As an advisor, my role is to encourage our members to take full advantage
of all the opportunities," said Chong. "As the Chapter Advisor Representative,
I will seek the recommendations from my fellow advisors to help Phi Theta
Kappa meet the needs of our members," he continued.
Chong has
served as an advisor at Guam Community College for five years.
In
2006 Chong was named a Mosal
Scholar, earning the prestigious award for his personal
professional development project to study the Chinese language
and to visit China, in order to gain a greater awareness of his own cultural
heritage. While in China, he also proposes to examine the edu-tourism industry
and the potential to promote English as a Second Language among Chinese
students.
In 2004, he was named a Faculty
Scholar and participated in the Honors Institute at the University
of California Los Angeles. He was named Distinguished Advisor for the Pacific
Region and received the Paragon Award at Phi Theta Kappa's 2006 International
Convention.
He has been instrumental in the establishment
of chapters in the Pacific Rim, including the Republic of Palau, Micronesia
and the Marshall Islands.
Chong has been employed at Guam Community
College since 1995. He currently serves as an Associate Professor of Tourism
and Hospitality and Associate Dean for Adjunct Professors.
"Advisor
representatives to the Board are often looked to for opinions or advice
pertaining to chapter, member and program issues," said Phi Theta Kappa
Executive Director Rod Risley. "Eric Chong will be an effective contributor
to the Board as Phi Theta Kappa designs and delivers programs and services
to chapters beyond the North American continent."
Board members
also include Dr. Shirley B. Gordon, Chair; Everett C. "Kip" Johnson, Vice
Chair; Executive Director Rod Risley, Ex-Officio, Secretary; Dr. Martha
Wilson, Georgia Regional Coordinator; Tycia Foster, International President;
and Dr. George Boggs, President, American Association of Community Colleges.
