Reporting by Dustin Wunderlich, Yakima Valley College Ambassador David H. Shinn has traveled the world following assignments in Lebanon, Kenya, Tanzania, Mauritania, Cameroon, Sudan, Burkina Faso, and Ethiopia. Shinn received three State Department Superior Honor awards for his work, which included responding to famines, enhancing food security, peacekeeping efforts and initiating a public campaign against…
Annalise Smith, graduate of Clark State College in Ohio, has been awarded the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) President’s Award for Leadership Excellence, a two-year transfer scholarship of up to $30,000 each academic year. Annalise recently completed her term as PTK’s 2024-2025 International President and served on the Board of Directors as the Student Representative, PTK’s…
Before Nick Moore made it to Capitol Hill and the Alabama Governor’s Office, he was a Phi Theta Kappa member. Nick began his higher education journey at Enterprise State Community College in Alabama, according to his Roadtrip Nation profile. At Enterprise State, he joined the Tau Mu Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and later served…
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for community college students, 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…
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) is proud to announce the appointment of Lulu McGowan to its Board of Directors. McGowan, a student at St. Louis Community College and the Society’s current International President, was unanimously selected by the Board to represent the voice of students at the highest level of PTK leadership. McGowan was…
By Phi Theta Kappa President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner At Phi Theta Kappa, our mission is to recognize academic excellence and provide students with opportunities to grow—and to lead. And when it comes to leadership, advocacy is where we believe it must begin. We know our members care deeply about the issues that shape…
Ahnora Ozor, a student at Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) in Maryland, has been named the 2025 Phi Theta Kappa Founders Medal Award recipient. Ozor received a $1,000 scholarship and the 2025 Founders Medal Medallion at PGCC’s spring Commencement Ceremony this past week. This award is presented to one graduating PTK member whose essay most powerfully conveys…
For the 65th consecutive year, 20 of the nation’s top college students have been named to the 2025 All-USA Academic Team. In recognition of this distinction, each student will receive a $5,000 scholarship. The 2025 All-USA Academic Team was recognized during a session at the American Association of Community Colleges’ annual convention on April 15…
On Saturday, April 5, 2025, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) elected five new International Officers during PTK Catalyst 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. These students were chosen by their peers—more than 220,000 active members—to serve as the 2025–2026 International Officer Team, the highest student leadership position within the organization. More than honorary ambassadors, these…
Northern Arizona University (NAU) has updated the eligibility criteria for their Phi Theta Kappa transfer scholarship, making it more accessible for PTK members. Previously, members were not eligible for the scholarship if they took a break between attending community college and transfer to NAU, but NAU has removed that stipulation from the eligibility criteria, which…
The Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Foundation proudly announces the appointment of Dr. Blake Ellis to its Board of Trustees. Dr. Ellis brings over two decades of experience in higher education, nonprofit leadership, and public service, making him a valuable addition to the Foundation’s governance team. Dr. Ellis began his PTK journey as a faculty member…
Serving as a Phi Theta Kappa International Officer is an experience like no other. Throughout the year, the team will serve as ambassadors for the organization while engaging with members on the local, regional, and international level. Each officer also gains valuable personal and professional development to help prepare them for their next chapter—whether that’s transferring to…