Community College’s own Honor Society
What is Phi Theta Kappa? Club President Wren Groth answered that with a quote from the PTK website, “Phi Theta Kappa brings dedicated, high-achieving students together in pursuit of scholarship and service.” President Groth and Vice President of Communications Klaira Bragado shared information about the organization during a recruitment presentation on Sept. 16.
Founded in 1918 at Stephens College in Missouri, PTK recognizes scholars and develops leaders, recognizing the academic achievements of two-year college students. Since its beginning, PTK has inducted nearly 3 million students. Today, the honor society has over 1,285 chapters worldwide, with PVCC’s chapter being Alpha Epsilon Tau (AET).
The primary membership benefits include recognition, scholarship opportunities, leadership skill development, and a network of fellow scholars. Once students sign up, they will receive a package with a golden key membership pen, a personalized membership certificate, and an identification card. As a member, students have access to tools offered by the PTK website. Students can request a press release announcing their induction and letters of recommendation, confirming their membership. “Phi Theta Kappa Member” will be noted on their transcript, and a PTK seal will be on their diploma when they graduate.
As members, students have access to nearly $90 million in scholarship opportunities from PTK, partnering senior colleges, universities and foundations. Such opportunities are available at every educational level: associate degree, bachelor’s, and master’s. In addition, PTK also offers scholarships with special focuses to help students who are facing financial barriers to completing their degree. Each program is different, so it is encouraged to go to their website (www.scholarships.ptk.org) for more details.
To stand out as a leader, students need skills such as professional etiquette, team building, critical thinking, and other soft skills to give them an advantage. PTK calls this the “Five Star Competitive Edge,” an online program only available to members that can help with such skills. There are also opportunities to stretch leadership skills in a variety of ways, ranging from local, regional, and international.
PTK connects students with a network of scholars — here on campus, regionally, and internationally. As a member, students get to choose their level of engagement with the society. If you want to connect with PTK’s network of scholars, there are a lot of opportunities from attending chapter events, connecting virtually through social media, or even by traveling to a regional or international meeting. To maintain membership while attending PVCC, the only requirement is that students keep a 3.25 GPA if they have more than 30 credit hours. If they have 12-30 credit hours, it would be a 3.50 GPA. When students leave PVCC as a member in good standing, they remain a member for life. Students can continue involvement as an alumni through their alumni association.
The officers said that research shows that becoming a PTK member helps more students finish what they started. Ninety-one percent of PTK members complete their associate degree and/or transfer to a four-year college or university. This is based on a study of 14,000 PTK members nationwide. Compared to the national success rate of 39% among community college students.
Eligible students will receive an email invitation and need to pay a one-time membership fee of $80. If students have any questions regarding anything else with PTK, feel free to contact President Wren Groth (sg56941@email.vccs.edu), Vice President of Communications Klaira Bragado (kb24838@email.vccs.edu), Adviser Kit Decker (kdecker@pvcc.edu), and Adviser Mark Ecleo (mtanecleo@pvcc.edu).
