Phi Theta Kappa-A World Recognized Academic Society

 (original image courtesy of www.ptk.org and published by www.westkentucky.kctcs.edu)

        Phi Theta Kappa, or otherwise known at PTK (ΦΘΚ) is an internationally recognized honor society of two-year community colleges worldwide.  It was founded on November 19, 1918 at Stephens College.  According to www.ptk.org, Phi Theta Kappa's mission statement is:

The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa shall be to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students. To achieve this purpose, Phi Theta Kappa shall provide opportunity for the development of leadership and service, for an intellectual climate for exchange of ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship for scholars, and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence.

        The qualifications that a student gets inducted into Phi Theta Kappa is:  1) Have completed at least 12 credit hours at a two-year community college; 2) Earned a 3.5 GPA or higher on the completed courses; 3) Pay a $80.00 membership fee and/or any other regional fees; and 4) Remain in good academic standing with continuously earning a 3.5 GPA. 

        In the fall of 2016, I was honored to be inducted into Phi Theta Kappa at Northwest Florida State College.  As an older adult that timidly returned to a college campus, receiving this accolade astonished me.  It energized me to go out of my comfort zone to meet others and to "give back" with volunteer opportunities.  I eventually found myself at every basketball and baseball concession stand, meeting various students at Fall and Spring Flings, and volunteering my efforts when needed at various events.  These included the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Walk and the American Cancer Society Heart Walk.  With the changing of the calendar year, I found myself wanting to give myself more and applied for a board position as the Vice-President of PTK on the NWFSC campus.  I was elected by my peers in May of 2017.  My fellow honor society members call me "Mother Hen," due to being the  "older kid on campus" and a single mother of two teenagers at home.  As I continue on my academic journey to earn a Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Management in the Fall of 2018, my leadership skills will continue to grow. These experiences will help me grow into a management professional once I graduate.
          If you have any questions about PTK, please don't hesitate to contact me at:  smalleyj@nwfsc.edu.  I will be happy to give further information about this organization!