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PTK Alumna Tala Alahmar Named Policy Fellow
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is proud to celebrate alumna and board member Tala Alahmar on her appointment as a Policy Fellow with the New Democrat Coalition, a coalition of 115 forward-thinking members of Congress focused on results-driven policy solutions. In her new role, she will manage the Coalition’s portfolios in national security, including defense and…
Astronaut and Advocate Takes the Catalyst Stage
From the halls of Congress to outer space, astronaut and activist Amanda Nguyen is joining the PTK Catalyst 2026 speaker lineup as a keynote speaker in Baltimore, Maryland. In 2013, while she was a student at Harvard University, Amanda dreamed of being an astronaut, but her dreams were temporarily upended when she was sexually assaulted. Determined not…
Phi Theta Kappa Foundation Establishes David Shinn Family Scholarship Endowment to Support Future Global Leaders
The Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Foundation has announced the establishment of the David Shinn Family Scholarship Endowment, a permanent scholarship fund created by Ambassador David H. Shinn to support high-achieving community college students pursuing careers related to international affairs. An alumnus and longtime supporter of Phi Theta Kappa, Ambassador Shinn has dedicated his career to…
Phi Theta Kappa Appoints Dr. Samantha Levy as Chief Officer of Student Engagement
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society serving high-achieving students at community and technical colleges, has named Dr. Samantha Levy as its new Chief Officer of Student Engagement, effective immediately. In this role, Dr. Levy will provide executive leadership for PTK’s student engagement and membership strategy, guiding how students experience Phi Theta Kappa from…
From Uzbekistan to USC: How PTK and the Cooke Foundation Shaped a Future in Tech
By Sadokat Khakimova by PTK Alum and Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship Recipient as well as a Guistwhite (2021) and Oberndorf (2020) scholarship recipient. I grew up in the Central Asian country of Uzbekistan and arrived in the United States in 2018 with big dreams, limited resources, and no expectations. My initial plan was to head…
Do It Scared: Lessons from My PTK Leadership Path
By Raymond Philip, 2025-2026 International Vice President – Division II Imagine receiving an email from a professor telling you to join an honor society because your GPA is outstanding. Skeptical, you finally pay the fee just to stop the reminders. One day, you decide to attend a meeting. You walk in not knowing anyone, unsure…
Phi Theta Kappa Announces 2025 West Williamson Difference Maker Award Recipient
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) is proud to announce the recipient of the 2025 West Williamson Difference Maker Award, an honor celebrating staff members who embody a commitment to PTK’s members and mission, dedicated service, and an unwavering commitment to caring for others. The award is named in memory of West Williamson, a beloved…
Bennington College Offers Scholarship to PTK Transfer Students
Bennington College has created a new scholarship for PTK members transferring to their university. The scholarship amount is $10,000 per academic year. The scholarship is stackable and renewable. Learn more about this transfer option in the Q&A below. Tell us about your college’s new transfer scholarship for members of Phi Theta Kappa. For members of…
The 411 on Scholarship Resumes: Turning Achievement into Opportunity
By Dakota McLaughlin, 2025-2026 International Vice President – Division III Can I be real with you? College costs way more than money. It eats up your time, your energy, and sometimes even your peace of mind. But what if I told you there’s a way to lighten that load? As a community college student who has earned…
Dr. Lynn Tincher-Lander Appointed to AACC Commission
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is proud to announce that Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and CEO, has been appointed to the national American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Commission on Research and Community College Trends and Issues. The commission will focus on current and future trends impacting community colleges; advise AACC leadership on potential data sets…
Finding Your Place with PTK: A Message to Dual-Enrollment Students
By 2025-2026 International President Lulu McGowan Imagine walking into a new campus—tall buildings, packed hallways, and unfamiliar faces everywhere. It’s exciting, but also overwhelming. Where do you fit in? As a dual-enrollment student, you already know what it means to push yourself. Balancing high school and college is no small feat. The good news? Phi Theta Kappa (PTK)…
Provisional Membership: Why Early Invitations Matter
By Anna Maria Dennis, International Vice President of Division IV Some students wait for perfection before they take action. Others only need a small spark, just enough light to help them see the path ahead. That is exactly what provisional membership in Phi Theta Kappa provides: a spark. Provisional membership allows students who don’t yet…
Phi Theta Kappa Foundation Names Amanda Karpinski Gorman as Executive Director
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society and the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation are pleased to announce the appointment of Amanda Karpinski Gorman as its new Executive Director following a national search. A proud PTK alumna and former International President, Karpinski Gorman brings her deep connection to the organization and passion for empowering community college students…
Phi Theta Kappa Foundation Announces Kevin Byrne as Member of the Board of Trustees
The Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Foundation announces the appointment of Kevin Byrne to its Board of Trustees. Byrne brings more than two decades of experience in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership to the board. Byrne currently serves as CEO of the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation and the Elisabeth C. DeLuca Foundation, where he leads strategic grantmaking…
Phi Theta Kappa Foundation names Dr. Monica Marlowe as Chair of the Board of Trustees
The Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Foundation announces the appointment of Dr. Monica Marlowe as Chair of its Board of Trustees. Dr. Marlowe brings nearly 30 years of experience in higher education, including more than a decade in advancement and fundraising. A proud alumna of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Dr. Marlowe holds a Ph.D. in…
The College Buffet: All You Can Eat
By Elijah Bishop, International Vice President of Division I Starting college can feel like a full-time juggling act. Most of us spend hours keeping up with classes and studying. Some of us add a part-time job, a social life, and—if we’re lucky—a little sleep. That can get you to graduation, but if that’s all you…
Elmira College Strengthens Commitment to Phi Theta Kappa Students
Recently, Elmira College was named to the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s Transfer Honor Roll, recognizing EC for developing academic programs of interest to community college students and providing transfer support, making it easier for those students to earn their four-year degrees. This marked the fifth year EC has earned this prestigious honor. In light…
PTK Member Angel Solorio Pursues Degree with Passion and Purpose
This article was originally published by UAGC’s Media Team Angel Solorio motivates himself by finding the best environments for success. His journey to achieving academic success is linear on paper, as he attended Phoenix College, a community college for his associate degree before enrolling at the University of Arizona Global Campus (UAGC). However, a father…