Your key to a world of opportunities

🚨 Scholarship Alert! 🚨
The Chime Workforce Scholarship is awarding $1,000 to high-achieving students in workforce & technical programs at two-year colleges!

📌 Must have:
✔️ 3.0+ GPA
✔️ 6+ credits completed by Jan 31, 2025
✔️ Be enrolled in a ...certificate or associate program
✔️ Plan to join the workforce by no later than June 2026
💡 PTK members + Pell Grant eligible students get priority!
🔗 Apply now: www.ptk.org/scholarships/apply-now/

Don’t miss out! The scholarship applications closes June 16!!

The Honors in Action Grant Application closes on June 25th. Apply now to receive $1,000 to kickstart your chapter's HIA project!

Find more info here: https://connect.ptk.org/content/shared/honorsinactiongrants

Renee Cortez Rackley began her college journey as a Latinx, low-income, first-generation student — unsure of how to navigate higher education, but determined to make it work. With the support of mentors like Larry Sklaney and Robert Jersak at Century College, she not only found her footing, but ...also discovered a deep passion for student success. Through her involvement with the Alpha Alpha Gamma chapter, Phi Theta Kappa entered her world and never left.

After completing her master’s degree in student affairs, Renee joined the Student Life team at Normandale Community College, where she also serves as the contact advisor for the award-winning Alpha Kappa Alpha chapter. With the support of her co-advisors, her chapter was named Most Distinguished Chapter in the Minn-Kota Region for both 2022 and 2023, and they earned top honors for their Honors in Action and College Projects. Her students even honored her with a Paragon Award for New Advisors — a recognition that still makes her teary.

Renee’s first full year as lead advisor was a “trial-by-fire” — stepping into the role after a legendary advisor retired. Though the year came with challenges, it ended with a standing ovation: her students swept major awards at the regional conference. That was the moment she “drank the PTK Kool-Aid” and fully embraced her role as a student success champion.

Now also serving as a Minn-Kota Regional Associate Coordinator, Renee brings her lived experience full circle. Her goal is simple: to provide the same support she once received — and to help students believe that success isn’t just possible, it’s theirs for the taking.

Renee did it — now so can they.

Phi Theta Kappa is excited to announce that it has launched the first-ever direct admissions experience for transfer students through its PTK Connect platform. Developed in partnership with Nazareth University, this transformative new feature offers community college students a streamlined path to ...a four-year degree—removing unnecessary barriers and opening doors to greater opportunity.

Learn more here: https://www.ptk.org/youre-in-phi-theta-kappa-leads-national-efforts-to-direct-admissions-for-transfer-students/

Still thinking about Ethan Uslan's incredible performance accompanying Harold Lloyd's 1925 silent film "The Freshman" at PTK Honors Institute 2025 in Chicago🎹📽️

Do you want to walk in the Scholars Parade at Catalyst 2026? Then, apply to scholarships before the June 16 deadline!

Four scholarships are currently open:
These four scholarship applications are currently open:
Leaders of Promise (including Global and Military)
Chime ...Workforce
Mary Hood (Texas Regional)
Kevin & Rosa Byrne Family

Apply now: https://www.ptk.org/scholarships/apply-now/

Alumni Spotlight: Yu Shu
Aims Community College
Greeley, Colorado

🌟From Phi Theta Kappa to the Wall Street Journal🌟

Yu Shu specializes in creating legacy portraits and bronze sculptures that immortalize individuals of exceptional character and achievement. Her work... is distinguished by its psychological depth, technical virtuosity, and ability to capture the essence of those who have transformed obstacles into stepping stones for success.

She recently was featured in the Wall Street Journal (wearing her PTK shirt she received at her induction) for her bronze busts she created of Warren Buffett and the late Charlie Munger, which she took to Omaha for the Berkshire Hathaway's annual meeting.

The artist's journey began in Chongqing, China, where early adversity under her grandmother's care instilled the values now central to her artistic vision: resilience, determination, and the dignity of perseverance. These themes resonate powerfully with the business leaders and visionaries who commission and collect her work.��

Shu's formal artistic development combines rigorous classical training from an art atelier in USA with the refined aesthetic sensibilities acquired during her mentorship in Taiwan under renowned painting master Yim Maukun. This rare educational pedigree is evident in every piece she creates—each one demonstrating her command of selective detail, expressive brushwork, and psychological insight.�

Follow Yu Shu and her work at @berkshire_legends on Instagram. You can find her websites and the Wall Street Journal article below.

https://berkshirelegends.com/
https://yushuart.com/
https://on.wsj.com/43tj00R

International President Lulu McGowan has been appointed to Phi Theta Kappa's Board of Directors as its Student Representative.

Learn more about her appointment here: https://www.ptk.org/lulu-mcgowan-appointed-to-phi-theta-kappa-board-of-directors/

PTK recently launched Advocacy Edge, and right now there is an advocacy issue that requires our attention.

Congress recently proposed change that threaten to eliminate or drastically reduce Pell Grant funding for part-time students. These students are often working, raising families, and ...caring for loved ones, while doing everything they can to stay enrolled.

Phi Theta Kappa is launching an Advocacy Center to help students speak directly to their elected official about how these changes would affect their lives, their future, and their ability to graduate.

We ask you use this link to learn more about advocating for Pell recipients everywhere and join us in our fight:

https://www.ptk.org/students-taking-the-lead-on-pell-grant-advocacy/

Together, our voices are stronger, so let’s use the power of our stories to make a difference on this issue!

Have you filled out your scholarship application yet? If not, do it now before the June 16 deadline!

These four scholarship applications are currently open:
Leaders of Promise (including Global and Military)
Chime Workforce
Mary Hood (Texas Regional)
Kevin & Rosa Byrne... Family

Apply now: https://www.ptk.org/scholarships/apply-now/

Honors Institute 2025 has officially begun! #PTKHI

Remembering and honoring those who have fought and fallen💙

Congratulations to Ahnora Ozor, a student at Prince George's Community College in Maryland and the recipient of the 2025 Founder's Medal Scholarship Award.

"Here in Maryland, I attend Prince George's Community College, and I am proudly an Owl. I would not change ...anything I did to get here. I hate to imagine what would have happened if I never stepped foot in a community college."

Read excerpts from her essay here: https://www.ptk.org/phi-theta-kappa-announces-founders-medal-scholarship-award-winner/

Did you know PTK launched a new Edge course called Advocacy Edge?

PTK Advocacy Edge trains students to turn their passion into purpose by reviewing “Advocacy in Action” case studies, participating in “Share Your Advocacy” discussion boards, and connecting with relevant Leadership ...Hallmarks.

Get your Advocacy Edge today: https://www.ptk.org/benefits/professional-development-courses/advocacy-edge/

We are so excited to see so many PTK Graduates! Congratulations to the 2025 graduating class, and keep the pictures coming! #PTKGrad #PTKproud

Headquarters was glad to have the MS/LA Regional Team visit today! #MSLARegion #PTK

Meet Kimberly Ross-Brown: Educator, Mentor, and PTK Champion 🌟

Kimberly Ross-Brown began her journey with Phi Theta Kappa in 2019—and what started as a proud mom moment at her daughter’s induction quickly turned into a life-changing chapter of leadership and service.

“I ...watched my daughter light up with purpose in PTK, and I knew this organization was something special,” Kimberly said.

Now serving as Lead Advisor for the Alpha Phi Kappa Chapter at Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Kimberly is all in. Under her guidance, the chapter has earned 2024 Most Distinguished Chapter and 5-Star Chapter honors, along with regional and international awards that reflect her commitment to excellence. In 2022, she received the prestigious Paragon Award for New Outstanding Advisors, and her leadership continues to uplift and inspire.

For Kimberly, PTK is more than a title or a task—it's a calling.

“I believe student success goes beyond academics—it's about engagement, leadership, and purpose,” she said. “When students are empowered to lead and serve, they gain the confidence and skills to excel in education and life.”

A passionate advocate for inclusiveness and innovation, Kimberly developed a groundbreaking public speaking course for students with Down syndrome, making college more accessible and empowering for all learners. She's also a published author, seasoned presenter, and current doctoral student researching how student organizations impact academic success.

Phi Theta Kappa is proud to have Kimberly as a dedicated advisor, mentor, and changemaker in our community. Her leadership reaches far beyond her campus—she serves as a PTK Division II “Guide on the Side,” mentoring new advisors across seven states.

Thank you, Kimberly, for living out the values of scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship every day. You truly embody the heart of PTK.💙💛

Congratulations to past International Officer Britney Khan and all of the other PTK members who received the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship! Check out the full list of Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship recipients here: ...https://www.jkcf.org/our-stories/2025-transfer-scholarship-finalists/

#ptkproud

As we celebrate the last day of National Nurses Week, we want to congratulate and thank all of our current and future nurses for the heroic work they do everyday!🩺 #NursesWeek #PTKProud