Finding Your Place with PTK: A Message to Dual-Enrollment Students 

November 3, 2025
Evoto

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) makes it easier to find your place, your people, and your path forward. 

Why PTK Matters for Dual-Enrollment Students 

PTK isn’t just another line on your résumé (though that definitely helps). It’s a community that supports your goals and challenges you to grow. Here’s what you’ll find: 

  • Belonging: PTK is like a built-in college family. Advisors, officers, and members welcome you and want to see you succeed. 
  • Leadership Experience: Chapter, regional, and international officer roles give you hands-on leadership skills that make a real difference on scholarship and transfer applications. 
  • Scholarship Access: PTK makes it easy to know which scholarships you qualify for and gives you a head start in applying. 
  • Mentorship: Advisors and PTK leaders guide you through the challenges of dual enrollment, helping you build your future one step at a time. 
  • Recognition: Earn digital badges for PTK courses, serve as an officer, or lead a project—tangible ways to show your growth and achievements. 

How To Get Started 

Getting involved is simple: 

  • Get Involved – Attend meetings, connect with members, and dive into chapter activities. 
  • Accept Full Membership – Once you’re eligible, say yes and make it official. From there, step up—run for office, lead a project, or apply for scholarships. 

Expanding Your Circle of Belonging 

Being a dual-enrollment student can feel like living between two worlds—high school and college. PTK bridges that gap. It gives you a space where your ambition is matched by support and your goals are shared by peers who push you to keep going. 

So don’t let the big buildings or crowded halls intimidate you. Keep moving forward. Keep growing. And keep saying yes to the opportunities PTK puts in front of you. Because this isn’t just about today—it’s about the leader you’re becoming. 

Related Articles

Phi Theta Kappa Names 2026 Transfer Honor Roll Recognizing Nation’s Leaders in Transfer Student Success

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) has named 275 four-year colleges and universities to its 2026 Transfer Honor Roll, recognizing institutions that have demonstrated exceptional success in creating pathways that help community college transfer students earn bachelor’s degrees. The Transfer Honor Roll is one of the nation’s most comprehensive recognitions of transfer excellence. Institutions are…

Community College Workforce Students Named World Impact Scholars

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for high-achieving community college students, recently named 180 community college workforce students as World Impact Scholars, an honor recognizing them for pursuing degrees and certificates in programs that support economic opportunity and workforce needs in communities across World Cup host regions. Supported by a donation from Coca-Cola…

Dr. Adrienne Barkley Giffin Elected Regional Coordinator Representative to Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) is pleased to announce the election of Adrienne Barkley Giffin to serve on its Board of Directors as Regional Coordinator Representative. Elected by PTK’s 28 Regional Coordinators during Catalyst 2026, she will represent the perspectives of PTK regions and help shape the strategic direction of the Society. PTK’s Board…