Smith was inducted into PTK as a dually-enrolled student, who earned her Associate of Science degree along with her high school diploma in 2023. Last year, she also served as an Ohio Regional Officer before being elected to serve as Phi Theta Kappa’s 2024-25 International President, the highest leadership position available to students in the organization, at Catalyst 2024. Smith is continuing her studies at Clark State College to earn a degree in social services as she moves to New York.
Annalise Smith, a student at Clark State College in Ohio, has been named Student Representative to the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) Board of Directors.
“The Board is pleased to welcome Annalise’s valuable insight and guidance as we implement the Society’s strategic priorities and our long-term vision of making community colleges first-choice institutions for higher education,” said Dr. George Boggs, Chair of the PTK Board of Directors and President and CEO Emeritus of the American Association of Community Colleges.
Sometimes feeling like she was on the outside of things, PTK welcomed Smith and made her feel part of a community, and she served as her chapter’s vice president of service.
“Growing up, I never felt like I belonged,” Smith said. “I didn’t always believe there was somewhere I could fit in, and I struggled to make and keep meaningful friendships. Phi Theta Kappa proved me wrong. I have become part of a community of brilliant, kind-hearted, and like-minded people.”
As International President, Smith wants members to feel seen, welcome, and understood.
“My main goals in office are to exemplify PTK through listening to the voices of others and to encourage and illustrate a world of change,” Annalise said.
The Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors governs all policies of PTK and ensures that the Society’s mission to nurture academic excellence among college students is reflected in all its programs and endeavors.
Phi Theta Kappa is the first honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 4.3 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.
