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…
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 (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…
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…
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 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 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…
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…
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…
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)…
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 (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…