When it comes to recognizing student achievement in academics and scholarship at community colleges across the United States, Phi Theta Kappa is known to be the most prominent  honor society. What started as an organization for women’s colleges is now an international honor society, dedicated to development of student leadership and service.

Phi Theta Kappa’s mission statement to recognize student’s achievements in academics and build leadership qualities is exactly what Allen Community College’s chapter does. Current President Madison Folsom describes her experience as “unique” and says PTK gives its members opportunities to meet people across the region.

“I love the opportunities that Phi Theta Kappa presents,” Folsom said. “It’s the unique experience for someone who is not athletic or isn’t involved in activities. It can build a community and you meet people you normally wouldn’t talk to at the school.”

In order to qualify for Phi Theta Kappa at Allen, a student must have completed 12 hours of college credit, with a GPA (grade point average) of 3.5 to receive an invitation. They must also pay a onetime $80 fee that is sent to the national offices. In order to stay qualified as a member, a student must maintain a 3.2 GPA and demonstrate high academic standings.

Although students make up the honor society, a sponsor helps unite the chapter and gives its members an opportunity to build new relationships and meet new people. Tracy Lee is currently the sponsor for Phi Theta Kappa at Allen, serving from 1995 to 2002 and taking over again last year.

“It identifies you as an honor student,” Lee said. “It follows you throughout your academic and professional career and is stamped on your transcript after graduation. You can always refer to it for your resumes and scholarship applications.”

The honor society also goes to leadership conferences across the U.S. and networks with many students who have the same academic goals.  

“It gives students a chance to network with other students with the same academic endeavors and to be part of a leadership program that has access to scholarships and scholarship information that they wouldn’t have access to otherwise,” said Lee. 

The honor society recently went to a leadership conference in Kansas City, where they learned about a new ALICE (Alert Lockdown Inform Counter Evacuation) program to help protect students against school shootings. They also went to many sessions about improving membership and fundraising activities to boost school morale.

As a local chapter, the group does many things around campus to create a positive school environment. Some of the things students do in the organization include monthly meetings, leadership conferences and more. They are currently working on a fundraiser for the victims of the hurricanes in Puerto Rico and Mexico.

“I’ve made a lot more friends than I thought I would,” Folsom said. “We get to spend a lot of time together and it has helped me gain more leadership qualities I probably wouldn’t have had before.”

“I would love to see more people involved if possible” Folsom concluded. “Some people view it has too prestigious for them but I would like to see people, even if they are not an official member, to still come to our meetings and experience what we have to offer.”