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Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Celebrates Awareness Week, Feb. 25 – Mar. 2
Every semester Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) hosts an awareness week to share the benefits students enjoy when they join this academic and service organization.
PTK is the international honor society of two-year colleges. It is the largest honor society in American higher education, with more than 3.5 million students inducted since 1918 and approximately 250,000 active members. PTK recognizes and encourages scholarship while promoting leadership, service and fellowship.
Rio Salado College’s PTK chapter, Alpha Theta Omicron, is recognized as an award-winning chapter. Members are involved in a number of presentations, community events, and projects, including the 2020 College Project, which they called Student Navigator. This pilot program to support and help new-to-college students navigate through their educational journey and collect information to further expand the program laid the groundwork for RioConnect, the college’s online portal for students to engage with one another.
"For me, PTK has been an extended family, especially when I don't have a lot of family members around me supporting me,” said PTK student member and leader Carolyn Shack. “PTK gave me the reason and the motivation to keep going. So, I want to be there for my extended family, that is PTK."
Rio chapter Advisor Inhye Peterson acknowledged the many benefits students experience when they join the organization.
"PTK really does provide heaps of benefits to its national and international members,” she said. “As a fourth-year advisor, I'm still learning what PTK can do for the community college students. For example, just this morning, PTK's CEO announced a new partnership between PTK and Princeton University via Facebook. Locally speaking, this has been the most meaningful year for me, witnessing Carolyn, Cordero (Holmes), and Emma (Harlow) stepping up to their games and playing remarkably. I cannot be more proud of them."
Holmes served as Rio Salado’s student senator during the 2020-2021 school year. Harlow is Rio Salado’s current student senator. We are also excited to share with you that Cordero Holmes has been named one of Phi Theta Kappa’s 2022 Distinguished Chapter Officers and 2022 Cooke Transfer Scholar semifinalists.
PTK membership is open to students who have a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher, have completed a minimum of 12 college credits in 100-plus level classes and are currently enrolled in at least one class with Rio Salado College.
Students interested in learning more about PTK, the benefits of membership and program eligibility can visit our website for more information.
The chapter organizes several outreach events a year, including the upcoming Civil Discourse event, which is open to the Rio Salado community.
What: Civil Discourse by "Engage2Win" on effective persuasion skills
When: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 3
Description: The Engage2Win (E2W) process is not about winning debates or talking points or even elections. It’s about winning people over to the common ground they instinctively share by engaging in meaningful conversations that transcend obstacles to agreement. Please join us for this educational event!
Learning outcomes: Students will have an opportunity for interactive skill-building using case studies and examples of controversial issues. Learn the “why” and “how” of civil discourse. Students leave the workshop with the tools to garner trust and engage thoughtfully and productively, even in difficult conversations. Handouts will be provided that are designed to cement the concepts.
Register in advance for this meeting
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.