Phi Theta Kappa Membership Acceptance - A Life-Changing Experience
When Michelle Brinck accepted membership into Phi Theta Kappa at Norwalk
Community College in Connecticut in the fall of 1999, she was unaware of
the influence the Society would bring to her life.
Phi Theta
Kappa membership gave Brinck opportunities to increase her self-confidence
and to discover and develop her leadership potential. Her experiences
as an active member even led her to a new and rewarding career.
Now,
as a chapter advisor at Norwalk Community College, and as the New England
Region's Interim Coordinator, Brinck uses her own testimonials to promote
the value of membership to eligible students.
Brinck never
intended to be an active member, but was lured out of her preferred place
in the background at her first chapter meeting. As she became interested
in chapter projects, she learned to plan ahead and to manage her time.
Brinck
even decided to explore chapter leadership. After serving as chapter secretary
she was encouraged to run for chapter president and was elected.
Brinck's
term as chapter president influenced her to start a new chapter in her life,
one she never imagined.
"Working with others to complete a task
was a new experience for me," said Brinck. "I never had to interact and work
as a team to accomplish a goal," she said.
One of those goals was
to motivate members to complete projects related to the Society's Honors
Study Topic and International Service Program.
"These opportunities
allowed me to develop more confidence in myself. I learned leadership through
gathering volunteers, planning and carrying out the projects," she said.
Brinck was also chosen her chapter's Voting Delegate to Phi
Theta Kappa's 2000 International Convention, where she cast her chapter's
ballot to elect the Society's International Officers.
Brinck
was able to carry out her chapter work and still keep her grades high. She
was her college's nominee to the 2001 All-USA Academic Team, and was named
to the All-Connecticut Academic Team.
Membership in Phi Theta
Kappa also proved significant when it came to Brinck's course of study in
school.
"When I originally went to college, my plan was to one
day become a psychologist," she said. "As I grew, I realized that one of my
strong points was working with groups of individuals," she continued.
She decided to focus on studying human services.
After graduation,
Brinck enrolled at Manhattanville College in New York but later transferred
to University of Connecticut where she received a bachelor's degree in
human services.
While completing her degree, she worked as
an intern in the Foundation Office of her community college. She was then
hired as an assistant, which led to her current position as Director of Student
Activities.
While the change has been challenging, Brinck
says the best part overall has been the opportunity to continue her involvement
with the Society and its members.
"It is amazing when you think
about how much of an impact Phi Theta Kappa members make on our world," said
Brinck. "This was my draw to Phi Theta Kappa and it excites me to see how much
can be accomplished by everyone doing their part," she concluded.
