Boggs, Karpinski Elected to Lead Phi Theta Kappa Board of Directors

Dr. George Boggs has been re-elected as chair of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) Board of Directors, and Amanda Karpinski has been elected to serve as vice chair. The election was held during the recent virtual meeting of the Board, on January 31.

“We are so thankful and honored to have the continued leadership of Dr. Boggs, and I am delighted to have Amanda — the youngest member of the Board — stepping into this important role,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, PTK President and CEO. “Their enduring support of the Society and its members has guided us through a challenging year in which the value and importance of PTK’s mission has become even more apparent as we work to bring the life-changing opportunities and benefits of membership to as many students as possible.”

Boggs has served as chair of the Board of Directors since 2016, and he previously served as vice chair since 2006. He is an International Honorary Member of PTK and also serves on the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation Board of Trustees.

Boggs is President and CEO Emeritus of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), which he led from 2000 to 2010. He is also Superintendent/President Emeritus of Palomar College in California, at which he served as superintendent and president for more than 15 years. Prior to that, he was a founding faculty member, division chair, and associate dean of instruction at Butte College in California.

A prolific writer, Boggs has written more than 100 articles or chapters and has lectured extensively on key higher educational issues, including faculty preparation and evaluation, leadership development, college governance, developmental education, and cultural diversity. His newest book, Team Leadership in Community Colleges, was published in 2019.

Karpinski first joined the Board of Directors as the student representative in 2017, when she was serving in PTK’s highest position of student leadership, International President. She was nominated to serve as the Board’s alumni representative in 2018, a position that serves as a voice for millions of PTK alumni from around the world.

Karpinski received a full-tuition scholarship to Bergen Community College through the New Jersey Stars program. She was elected president of her Phi Theta Kappa chapter and advocated for associate degree-granting colleges and Phi Theta Kappa membership. During her term as International President, she promoted further involvement among chapter advisors and members.

“During her time as an International Officer, Amanda led Phi Theta Kappa’s efforts to modernize its 100-year constitution and, by doing so, positioned PTK for its next 100 years of service to the nation’s community colleges and students,” Tincher-Ladner said. “I believe her active participation on the Board and her sincere interest in serving others make her a wonderful choice to lead our Board of Directors alongside Dr. Boggs.”

Karpinski received an associate degree from Bergen Community College in 2017, then transferred to Rutgers University, where she received a bachelor’s degree in English. She completed a master’s degree in public administration from Rutgers Graduate School in 2020.

Karpinski is an active volunteer with Best Buddies International, which creates opportunities, employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She works as an aide to Bergen County Freeholder Chairwoman Mary Amoroso and is Digital Director for the Young Democrats of Bergen County.