Jackson, Mississippi – Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) has named Debbra Esparza as the organization’s 2018 Board of Directors Alumni Achievement Award recipient. Recipients are chosen for providing exemplary support and consistent leadership to PTK on a local, regional and national levels.
The Board will present the award during PTK Catalyst 2018, Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, to be held April 19-21 in Kansas City, Missouri. Only 23 of the Society’s 3.5 million alumni have been selected for this honor.
“More than 15 years after being inducted as a member, Debbie continues to be an enthusiastic and dedicated advocate for the Society,” said PTK President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “She has served at every level of the organization, and I am so grateful for all she has done, and continues to do, to support the mission and members of PTK.”
As a student, Esparza was inducted into the Alpha Lambda Xi Chapter at Lone Star College-Kingwood in Texas. She was named a Distinguished Chapter President, Distinguished Regional Officer, and a member of the Texas Hall of Honor.
She earned an associate degree in design and visual communications from Lone Star College-Kingwood, a bachelor’s degree in technology supervision from the University of Houston, and a master’s degree in leadership development from Walden University. Esparza worked in the Lone Star College system from 2002 to 2017, most recently as executive director of organizational development.
As a community college employee, Esparza reengaged with Phi Theta Kappa. She began serving as a chapter advisor in 2007 and was named Texas Regional Coordinator in 2011. Esparza received the Distinguished Regional Coordinator award in 2016, and Texas was named a Continued Excellence Region repeatedly under her leadership. She joined the staff of PTK in 2017 and currently serves as Phi Theta Kappa’s Executive Associate Vice President of Regional Development.
“One of the best things I ever did was accept membership,” Esparza said. “This journey has been transformational and completely unexpected.
“I feel honored to be recognized with this award, and it is my personal mission to make sure students understand the life-changing opportunities PTK has to offer.”
