While most of the benefits of being a Phi Theta Kappa advisor are intangible (helping students to grow as individuals, making valuable professional and personal contacts, broadening one’s base of knowledge with Phi Theta Kappa programs, etc.), there are also some concrete benefits to being a Phi Theta Kappa advisor. All advisors receive a recognition pin and certificate. Phi Theta Kappa also offers numerous professional development and recognition opportunities for advisors.

Advisor Anniversary Recognition

Phi Theta Kappa advisors are the lifeblood of the organization and are owed a tremendous debt of gratitude for their service to our chapters. Advisors are recognized with special anniversary gifts at five-year increments of service. Recognition gifts are sent to college presidents each spring for presentation to their chapter advisors at an appropriate occasion.

Hallmark Awards Recognition

The Hallmark Awards Program offers opportunities to recognize the outstanding service provided by Phi Theta Kappa advisors. Nominations for these awards are based upon recommendations from members and colleagues. Advisors selected for this recognition receive awards during the Phi Theta Kappa Annual Convention. Entry forms outlining the details of each award and the entry requirements are available at www.ptk.org/hallmarks/ each fall. Nominations should be submitted to Phi Theta Kappa Headquarters in early February of each year.

Annual Convention Scholarships

In an effort to make the Annual Convention and Honors in Action Academy more accessible to advisors, Phi Theta Kappa annually offers a limited number of Advisor Scholarships for Convention Registration. Each recipient also receives a scholarship for one chapter officer to attend the Annual Convention and Honors in Action Academy. In selecting scholarship recipients, preference is given to new advisors and advisors who have never attended an Annual Convention. Scholarship applications are available each December.

Mosal Awards Program

The purpose of the Mosal Awards Program is to encourage personal and professional growth of Phi Theta Kappa chapter advisors by providing financial support for completion of a professional development project. The Mosal Awards Program, unlike all other Phi Theta Kappa recognition programs for chapter advisors, does not reward advisors for past achievement in Phi Theta Kappa. Rather, the Mosal Awards Program rewards growth potential by awarding funding to applicants based on the applicant’s project proposal, and the applicant’s potential for professional growth through completion of the project as evidenced by the application.

The Mosal Award was established in 1984 to recognize and encourage scholarship among Phi Theta Kappa advisors and to encourage advisors to incorporate the Society’s hallmarks into professional development. The award appropriately bears the name of long-time Phi Theta Kappa executive director, Dr. Margaret Mosal, whose life produced a remarkable record of achievement and was a model of the successful blending of scholarship, leadership and service.

All Phi Theta Kappa advisors with at least three years of service are eligible to apply. Up to 10 Mosal Awards are offered annually. Each Award carries a stipend of $5,000 to complete the project described in the application. In addition, winners of the Mosal Award are recognized at the Association of Chapter Advisors Luncheon at the Annual Convention, where they are presented the prestigious Mosal Award Medallion. Completed applications are due at Phi Theta Kappa Headquarters each March.

Faculty Scholar Program

Each year Phi Theta Kappa selects approximately 25 advisors to serve as Faculty Scholars, group discussion leaders, at the Honors Institute. Phi Theta Kappa pays all expenses for each Faculty Scholar to attend the Faculty Scholar Conference, held in February at the Center for Excellence, and the Honors Institute, which occurs each summer.

The advisor with the Faculty Scholar Application selected as most outstanding additionally receives a Parnell Scholarship to cover the cost of attending the Annual Convention. Faculty Scholar Applications are available online early each fall. Completed applications should be submitted for consideration in late November of each year.

Honors Institute Scholarships

Advisors not serving as Faculty Scholars are eligible for Honors Institute participant scholarships available through regional programs. For more information on the criteria for these scholarships, contact your Regional Coordinator.

Leadership Development Studies Program

As an advisor, you will also have an excellent opportunity to enhance your leadership potential, which will provide personal development, job enhancement and a distinct advantage for future employment opportunities. Phi Theta Kappa certifies community college faculty and administrators to teach the leadership development course for credit or non-credit on their campuses. The curriculum includes leadership development through such topics as decision-making, setting and reaching goals, delegating and empowering others, managing conflict and handling ethical situations.

Phi Theta Kappa conducts certification seminars at various locations throughout the United States. To find out more about Phi Theta Kappa’s Leadership Development Studies Program and the instructor certification process, visit http://leadership.ptk.org.