Your key to a world of opportunities

From Community College To Capitol Hill

In a journey that began at community college, Nick went from Harvard University, to teaching, to Capitol Hill, to the Governor's Office of Alabama, before going back to Washington D.C. as an appointee the to U.S. Department of Education.
...
Nick Moore’s story, which he told to Roadtrip Nation, is a testament to the power of community college and the opportunities that can emerge from involvement in Phi Theta Kappa. His journey—from a small town in Alabama to shaping national education policy—is a powerful reminder that no matter where you start, your dreams are within reach.

Learn more about his journey: https://www.ptk.org/from-community-college-to-captiol-hill-nick-moore-featured-on-roadtrip-nation/

#PTKProud #PTKAlumni

Today we are celebrating 10 Years of Hamilton with a walk down memory lane! Did you know PTK has had three Hamilton stars attend Catalyst?

Miguel Cervantes (AKA Alexander Hamilton) joined us at PTK Catalyst 2025 as a keynote speaker. Miguel was handpicked by Lin Manuel Miranda to be his ...successor on the Broadway stage.

Mathenee Treco (AKA Hercules Mulligan/James Madison) performed a special PTK Hamiljam at the opening session at Catalyst 2022. Mathenee played Hercules Mulligan and James Madison in the Hamilton National Tour.

Daveed Diggs (AKA Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson) participated in a moderated conversation at PTK Catalyst 2019. Daveed was part of the original Hamilton cast on Broadway. His rap in "Guns and Ships" is considered the fastest rap on Broadway with Daveed rapping 6.3 words per second on average.

#Hamilton #10YearsofHamilton #PTKCatalyst

Join us as Phi Theta Kappa commemorates Juneteenth - a poignant moment in history. As part of the Phi Theta Kappa family, we stand for unity, freedom, and change. #Juneteenth #PhiThetaKappa #Unity

Steven De Silva is a student success champion who started his journey at Waipahu High School Early College in June 2020, where he established effective ways to transition programming to the online/hybrid environment during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Waipahu High Schoolʻs Early College student-centered... motto is His Voice. His Choice. His Future. Today, Waipahu High School Early College is the largest and most robust Early College Dual Credit program in the state of Hawaii (including PTK). Most recently, Waipahu High School Early College had 20% of its student population enrolled in an Early College course.

In November 2018, Waipahu High School (WHS) became the first high school ever to have a collegiate honor society charter on its campus. Steven officially became a PTK Advisor in 2022 and has been able to establish a well-organized structure within PTK to ensure that the Beta Chi Omega Chapter represents all four Hallmarks of PTK with collaboration from the entire advisor team. The chapter currently boasts 145 active members who have all reported current activities in Leadership, Service, Scholarship, and Chapter Fellowship. The chapter is also proud to say that they have been a “Five Star” Chapter for the past six years with Steven receiving the Pacific Region’s Horizon Award for exceptional Advisors in 2024 and 2023.

Steven’s two favorite quotes are:
1. “Hard work really does pay off.”
2. “Make it your everyday mission to make someone else's day better.”

In his personal and professional life, Steven tries his best to live by these two quotes and encourages students to do the same. Live a life where you can confidently say that you dedicated your time and efforts to continuously learn and put in the work to become a better version of yourself every day. Finally, he reminds his students to be a person who leads, inspires, and encourages people around you to do the same and make a positive impact one person at a time.

We are so proud of the three winners of the American Association of Community College's 2025 Community College Innovation Challenge!

📷Bergen Community College, NJ
📷Perimeter College at Georgia State University, GA @GSU_Perimeter
📷Dallas College, TX Dallas College
...
We are especially proud of the Phi Theta Kappa members who were selected as winners and finalists!

Are you interested in graduate programs! Well, don't miss this graduate fair tomorrow at 1PM CT. This session highlights graduate school programs at PTK partner colleges that offer scholarships exclusively for PTK members and alumni. Explore opportunities to fund your advanced degree and ...connect 1-on-1 with institutions ready to support your academic journey beyond a bachelor’s degree.

Register now: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUqc-mqrDsrGNM4BBmOAA-sqQjtYKOWDUL8#/

🚨DEADLINE ALERT🚨
These four scholarship applications are currently open, but they close TODAY:

Leaders of Promise (including Global and Military)
Chime Workforce
Mary Hood (Texas Regional)
Kevin & Rosa Byrne Family

Apply NOW, and don't miss this ...opportunity!

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

🚨 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/