Jefferson College: PTK Honor Society Chapter Receives REACH Recognition

Press release from Jefferson College:

2021-02-25

For the fifth consecutive year, the Jefferson College Xi Zeta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa international honor society has been named a national REACH chapter for bringing the benefits and opportunities of PTK participation by increasing membership. 

The recognition is part of PTK’s REACH Rewards program, which celebrates and rewards Phi Theta Kappa chapters excelling in membership development. Jefferson College’s Xi Zeta chapter currently has 575 members and will grow even larger following a virtual induction ceremony this spring. More than 112,500 students across the world became PTK members in 2020.

The 2021 REACH Chapters will receive free graduation stoles for their members. Nearly 5,600 stoles will be awarded.

“Being a REACH chapter is more important this year than ever before as Phi Theta Kappa worked to support community college students in completely unfamiliar circumstances,” PTK President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner said. “Racial and political unrest and a global pandemic made 2020 the most challenging year in recent history--one that our students, chapters, and partner colleges worked exceptionally hard to overcome. Although this is a chapter award, it demonstrates that students are more focused on their futures than ever before, and their colleges are providing the opportunities to get them there--even amid a global pandemic.”

91 percent of Phi Theta Kappa members complete an associate degree or transfer to a four-year college, compared to just 38 percent of students nationally. Members have access to $48 million in scholarships — $1 million in competitive scholarships through the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation and more than $46 million in transfer scholarships to over 850 four-year colleges.

“When students get engaged in campus programming, explore leadership opportunities, and utilize personal development resources developed by PTK, real transformation happens,” said Christin Grissom, PTK’s Vice President of Scholarship and Membership. “We couldn’t be prouder of our REACH Chapters for their efforts to encourage PTK membership acceptance despite challenges presented by the pandemic and unlock limitless opportunities that PTK membership provides for deserving students.”

Established by Missouri two-year college presidents in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society serves to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and provide opportunities for individual growth and development through honors, leadership and service programming. Today, Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 3 million members and 1,300 chapter located in all the 50 states and territories of the U.S., Canada, Germany, and Japan.

Jefferson College Xi Zeta chapter officers include Addison Schneider (president) of St. Clair, Danielle Oudenhoven (executive vice president) of House Springs, Mackenzie Antenor (vice president) of Fenton, Amy Brewer (vice president) of Perryville, Kalei Gerard (Vice President) of Arnold, and Kaylee Reed (vice president) of Herculaneum. Chapter advisors are Senior Student Services Specialist for Workforce Training and Employment Services Cynthia Critchfield, Instructional Support Specialist Karen Hester, and Economics Professor Bruce Korbesmeyer.

The mission of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize academic achievement of college students and to provide opportunities for them to grow as scholars and leaders. The society is based on the hallmarks of scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship.

The Xi Zeta chapter was established at Jefferson College in 1965 and has received numerous regional and international awards.

This press release was produced by Jefferson College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.