Phi Theta Kappa Appoints Dr. Samantha Levy as Chief Officer of Student Engagement

January 7, 2026
default

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 their first point of contact through alumni engagement. She will serve as a member of the executive team and work closely with regional leaders, advisors, and staff to ensure PTK’s programs remain inclusive, relevant, and deeply connected to student success.

“Student engagement is the most powerful levers we have to improve student success outcomes,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. “When engagement is done well, it brings students forward—into leadership, into opportunity, and into success. Dr. Levy understands that responsibility and the scale at which PTK must operate to serve today’s students.”

Dr. Levy brings extensive experience in higher education leadership, student engagement, and program development. Her work has consistently focused on building inclusive learning environments, strengthening student pathways, and aligning engagement strategies with measurable outcomes. As Chief Officer of Student Engagement, she will oversee PTK’s membership and engagement teams, lead the development of high-impact programming, and advance innovative approaches—including the thoughtful use of emerging technologies—to better serve students across all educational pathways.

Her portfolio will include advancing engagement for dual-enrollment, workforce, veteran, transfer, and adult learners; strengthening advisor and regional leader support; and ensuring that PTK’s national programs and events continue to reflect the evolving needs of today’s community college students.

“Phi Theta Kappa plays a unique role in students’ lives—often at moments when structure, encouragement, and opportunity can make the greatest difference,” said Dr. Samantha Levy, Chief Officer of Student Engagement. “I’m honored to lead PTK’s efforts to strengthen student success through engagement and to work alongside our staff, advisors, and regional leaders to design experiences that help students move forward with confidence and purpose.”

Dr. Levy holds a doctorate and has spent her career advancing student-focused initiatives that bridge engagement, learning, and equity. She will be based remotely and will work closely with PTK’s international headquarters in Jackson, Mississippi.

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.

Related Articles

The 2026-2027 International Officer Team

Meet the 2026-2027 International Officers

Each year, Phi Theta Kappa chapters elect five students to represent more than 220,000 active members in 11 nations.  This year’s International Officers bring more than leadership experience—they bring powerful stories of resilience, connection, and a deep commitment to expanding opportunity for others.  Here’s a closer look at the students who will be serving and representing you this year. …

Alpha Psi Sigma Chapter receiving Most Distinguished Chapter Award.

A Cinderella Story, Rewritten: From One-Star to PTK’s Most Distinguished Chapter 

Having spent more than a decade as a largely one-star chapter, the Alpha Psi Sigma Chapter at Springfield Technical Community College in Springfield, Massachusetts, has undergone a remarkable transformation, one that reflects not just renewed leadership, but a complete reimagining of what chapter engagement can look like.  Since the arrival of advisors Dr. Reena Randhir and Dr. Nayanna…

Rider University Campus

Rider University Increases PTK Transfer Scholarship

Rider University in New Jersey is increasing their Phi Theta Kappa transfer scholarship from $2,000 to $5,000. Rider University is a private university in Lawrence Township, New Jersey. Rider ranks on U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges list and The Princeton Review’s Best Colleges list. Learn more about this transfer option in the Q&A…