Building Bridges

How to Gain Support from Your College Administration

As Phi Theta Kappa sets sail for the 21st century, waves of administrative support are needed to continue the momentum begun at the Society's founding in 1918.

In the past 81 years, Phi Theta Kappa has developed a mission to recognize and develop scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship opportunities for community college students. A key is securing support for the Society's 1,200 chapters from their college administration. Whether in the form of advisor release time, advisor compensation or including the chapter in the college's line-item budget, the backing of the college administration has become crucial to the success of the campus' Phi Theta Kappa chapter.

"Our experience tells us that the success of any chapter is largely correlated to the level of institutional support provided to the chapter and its advisors," said the Society's Executive Director Rod A. Risley. "This support allows advisors and chapter members to focus their time and resources on participating in community outreach programs, strengthening honors programming, and engaging in leadership building activities."

Phi Theta Kappa Headquarters this year has strengthened its commitment to encouraging administrative support for chapters, through sending a detailed report of chapter activities to each college president.

"In an effort to bring more recognition to chapters, for the first time ever, Headquarters is mailing Chapter Progress Reports to all college presidents," explained West Williamson, Director of Membership Services. "We hope the report will provide presidents with critical information needed to measure and evaluate their chapters' achievements in the areas of membership reporting and program participation, and also to compare their chapters' success with other chapters in their states."

"The results from having an active Phi Theta Kappa chapter are overwhelmingly beneficial to both the college and community," Risley continued. "We hope presidents will review the Progress Report carefully and utilize it when appointing advisors, considering funding for the chapter, and providing administrative support for the advisor."

Chapters also can play a major role in securing administrative support. Sometimes the first step is very simple, according to Alabama Regional Coordinator Dr. Jo Marshall, advisor at Chattahoochee Valley Community College: "I believe the avenue to administrative support is EDUCATION. Educate the administrators about Phi Theta Kappa - the programs, the opportunities for students and faculty and the opportunity for recognition for the college."

"Administrators want the very best for their college," Marshall continued. "Advisors must help these administrators appreciate the value of an active Phi Theta Kappa chapter. Share program brochures, complimentary remarks and correspondence with administrators. Have them spend some time talking with the student members about the many opportunities, as well as listening to the students' ideas on areas where the chapter can help in improving the college environment. When administrators feel involved and connected to the chapter, their support level in word and in deeds goes up dramatically."

An important rule when seeking administrative support is to outline clearly how the college will benefit. Ann Sova, advisor at Broome Community College in New York, explained her chapter's approach. "When we ask for money, we're careful to indicate how that investment in our chapter will benefit the college. For example, we are budgeted through the college to send three students to the International Honors Institute each year. In return, two of our members sit on the Extra-Curriculum Committee, which plans all college events in conjunction with the Honors Topic."

A chapter's goals are excellent information to bring to administrators, said Iowa advisor and Interim Regional Coordinator, Dr. Regena Peters. "It is important to view the building of administrative support as an ongoing process," she said. "At Hawkeye Community College, our chapter activities focus on meeting our hallmark goals and creating opportunities that support that effort. In this process it is always important to have our school leadership know our vision and goals regarding scholarship, fellowship, service and leadership related activities."

Before approaching your administrator, review your chapter's track record. "Our chapter, Omega Sigma, has been very fortunate to have administrators who believe in, and are regularly amazed by, the quality of the projects to which we have become attached," stated David Wilcox, advisor at Houston Community College in Texas. "When the chapter sets its standards high and shows the chancellor, the president, the deans, that its students and advisors are willing to work hard, year after year, to achieve those standards, then they take you seriously."

Effectively articulate how the chapter positively impacts the life of the college, advised Dr. Martha Wilson of Macon State College in Georgia, 1999 Distinguished Regional Coordinator. "Certainly the chapter should let the college know of any regional or international awards or honors received by members, advisors, and the chapter. Often the region's Presidential Ambassador can be instrumental in garnering administrative support by informing presidents and other college officials of the deep impact that the organization can have on the life of a college."

So the first step in gaining the support of the college administration is to ask for it! However, before you ask, make sure you have educated your administration about Phi Theta Kappa. Share your successes, show how both the college and the chapter can benefit from their support, incorporate the college's goals with the chapter's goals - and show your willingness to work hard!