“The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa shall be to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students. To achieve this purpose, Phi Theta Kappa shall provide opportunity for the development of leadership and service, for an intellectual climate for exchange of ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship for scholars, and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence.”

Phi Theta Kappa is the oldest honor society for community college students, and the only one founded by college presidents. In 1918, at a meeting at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, eight college presidents used the historic senior honor society, Phi Beta Kappa, as their model to create an academic honors organization to recognize their outstanding students.

The Society grew, expanding into other states and into coeducational and public institutions. In 1929, the American Association of Junior Colleges, now the American Association of Community Colleges, recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two-year colleges.

In 1935, Dr. Margaret James Mosal, the elected national president of Phi Theta Kappa, became national secretary and established the Society’s presence in her home state of Mississippi. She led the organization for 50 years, and was succeeded in 1985 by the current Executive Director, Rod A. Risley.

Phi Theta Kappa today includes 1,250 chapters in all 50 of the United States, in Canada, Germany, the British Virgin Islands. the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the United Arab Emirates and in U.S. territories. Approximately 100,000 students are inducted annually and receive a wide array of benefits and opportunities for academic and personal growth through The Phi Theta Kappa Experience.