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 highest student leadership roles.
“Annalise represents the very best of what community college students have to offer—resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to service,” said PTK President and CEO, Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “Her leadership has helped shape national student engagement and scholarship efforts, and we are proud to support her journey through this scholarship. She is exactly the kind of student our programs are designed to uplift.”
Annalise’s PTK journey began at Clark State, where she served as the vice president of service in her local PTK chapter. She later represented her peers statewide as the western district representative of the Ohio Region.
As an international officer, she became an ambassador for the organization, delivering speeches, hosting workshops, participating in research, leading service projects, and presiding over international events.
Through her service project, Love Letters to Ourselves, Annalise invited students to explore mental health and self-worth in a creative and personal way. The project began at Clark State and expanded to regions across the country, culminating in a featured presence at Catalyst 2025 in the event’s first Caring Corner.
One of Annalise’s most innovative accomplishments was her work to launch PTK’s Discord platform. What started as a way to strengthen peer-to-peer support has grown into a student-led space where members from all regions can share ideas, ask questions, and find encouragement outside traditional meeting formats.
Annalise graduated with two associate degrees at Clark State College and has been accepted into New York University where she plans to major in Global Public Health/Sociology.
Her goal is to work in nonprofit organizations focused on public health and social impact.
The President’s Award for Leadership Excellence is the highest honor given by the Society’s Board of Directors. The award recognizes an outstanding member who has demonstrated exemplary service and leadership while advancing PTK’s mission and values.
About Phi Theta Kappa
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 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 220,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.