Twenty-eight College Presidents to Receive Paragon Award for New Presidents

March 6, 2023

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) will recognize 28 college presidents with the Paragon Award for New Presidents during PTK Catalyst 2023, the Society’s annual convention in Columbus, Ohio, April 20-22.

To be eligible for this award, college presidents and CEOs are new in their role having served less than 3 years. Recipients are nominated by students on their campus and are only eligible to receive the award once. These 28 recipients were selected from among 406 college presidents, chancellors, and CEOs eligible to receive this award.

The award recognizes college presidents who have shown support of student success initiatives leading to stronger pathways to completion, transfer, and employment. They have taken an active interest in supporting high-achieving students and developing student leaders on campus. “These college presidents have students-first leadership styles and made it a priority to support student success both inside and outside the classroom,” says Phi Theta Kappa President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “This award is special because it comes directly from the students, and it is evidence of the gratitude they feel for the support for them and students like them.” The 2023 recipients are:

Dr. Vincent Bowhay
Independence Community College
Kansas
Dr. Kimberly Britt
Phoenix College
Arizona
Olivier Charles
Bishop State Community College
Alabama
Dr. Ronnie (Scott) Cook
Dyersburg State Community College
Tennessee
Dr. Lisa Dresdner
Naugatuck Valley Community College
Connecticut
Dr. Theresa Felder
Harford Community College
Maryland
Dr. Felicia Ganther
Bucks County Community College
Pennsylvania
Dr. Michael Gavin
Delta College
Michigan
Dr. John Hartog
Northwest Iowa Community College
Iowa
Dr. Jimmy Hodges
Calhoun Community college
Alabama
Tim Hood
Mid Michigan College
Michigan
Dr. David Johnson
Merritt College
California
Dr. Brian Kelly
Clinton Community College
Iowa
Dr. Justin Lonon
Dallas College – Eastfield & Brookhaven Campuses
Texas
Dr. Daniel Lopez
Harold Washington College
Illinois
Kim Lopez
Cañada College
California
Dr. Daniel Lufkin
Tarrant County College
Texas
Dr. Jennifer Methvin
Arkansas State University – Beebe Campus
Arkansas
Dr. Paige Niehaus
Hillsborough Community College – Dale Mabry Campus
Florida
Dr. Kathleen Plinske
Valencia College – Osceola Campus
Florida
Dr. Steve Robinson
Lansing Community College
Michigan
Dr. Greg Schulz
Citrus College
California
Dr. Vincent Solis
Brazosport College
Texas
Dr. Howard Spearman
Rock Valley College
Illinois
Dr. Stephen Vacik
Hinds Community College
Mississippi
Dr. Christopher Villa
Skagit Valley College
Washington
Dr. Jermaine Whirl
Augusta Technical College
Georgia
Lisa Willenberg
University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton
Arkansas

About Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier 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 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.

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