Phi Theta Kappa Publishes Community College Research Journal

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) has published academic research conducted by students at 16 community colleges in Civic Scholar: Phi Theta Kappa Journal of Undergraduate Research. This is the first journal of its kind, showcasing the undergraduate research and community engagement of two-year college students. View the journal.

Civic Scholar features 16 research projects by PTK chapters across the country on a wide range of topics, including “Transforming Health through Music Therapy” and “Bridging the Gap Between Immigrants and Citizens.” More than 465 submissions were received for possible inclusion in the second edition of Civic Scholar.

The journal is made possible by support from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.

“This journal is the only one of its kind and features the research of our most outstanding students as they examine and improve issues within their colleges, communities, and world,” PTK President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner said. “We are proud to showcase their good and important work, and we are grateful to the Cooke Foundation for helping us share this work with others.”

Research was conducted as part of Phi Theta Kappa’s honors program, Honors in Action, and based on the topic, Transformations: Acknowledging, Assessing, and Achieving Change. The works published in Civic Scholar include both substantive research and community engagement — chapters ultimately turned their research into action by using their findings to fill specific community needs.

“In publishing this journal, we hope to demonstrate something we have always known to be true: community college students are innovative scholars,” said Dr. Blake Ellis, PTK’s senior associate vice president of student engagement. “They are conducting research that matters, drawing conclusions that reshape our understanding of the world, and taking action that leaves a lasting impact.”

The Phi Theta Kappa chapters featured in Civic Scholar are:

Alpha Epsilon Phi
Bergen Community College
New Jersey