Since 2020, members of Piedmont Community College’s (PCC) Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) chapter continue to successfully meet the challenge that PCC President, Dr. Pamela G. Senegal presented to them. The challenge was to earn five-star status, which the members have now obtained for the third straight year.
The chapter earns five stars by continuously recognizing academic excellence, organizing leadership, engaging members, developing college projects, and getting involved regionally and internationally. For more than 110 years, the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society has helped millions of high-achieving college students reach their full potential. PCC’s chapter proves that students continue to make great strides in the classroom and the in the community. PCC’s PTK Co-Advisor, Dr. Don Miller, said the achievement starts with a strong work ethic and passion for service from the students.
“I feel fortunate to have such a strong group of students to work with these last three years,” Miller said. “Our leaders, Kayla [Rice], Liliana [Mejia], and Kyndall [Norton] are consistently and actively involved in projects and are dedicated to benefitting and bettering the community and their fellow students. Our chapter continues to grow because of students like them because as students see that our PTK is an active organization that makes a difference in the community, it encourages them to be involved.”
PCC’s PTK chapter is focusing its efforts on food insecurity, holding food drives on campus and in a local Food Lion grocery store, holding toiletry drives, and working with the College’s Student Government Association (SGA) to create a food pantry.
“Our goal has been to support our students and members of our community and help combat local food insecurity,” said Kayla Rice, PCC student and PTK chapter President. “We’ve wanted to focus on their health and nutrition because that’s where success often starts, then they’ll start functioning well in their classes, at work, and at home.”
This year, PCC’s PTK also earned REACH status, meaning that more than 15% of the students who were invited to join the honor society committed to participating. PCC surpassed this benchmark with 26% of invited students joining. Earning this honor means that some graduates in the 2023 graduating class will be offered a special stole to wear during the College’s May Commencement ceremony.
“We love to see that we are exceeding in growing this chapter, and students recognize that joining PTK is a beneficial choice for their academics, leadership, and future,” Rice said.
As they look ahead to finish this school year and plan for 2023-2024, Miller said the chapter will continue to work on the Pacer food pantry and garden, while building and fostering community relationships.
PCC student and PTK Vice President Liliana Mejia said, “As I’m about to graduate, I look forward to coming back to Piedmont Community College and seeing how these seeds we planted, bloom to something fruitful for students and our communities. I know our classmates and future students will continue to support these endeavors, so people can know that PCC is a place of assistance, kinship, and care.”
The next class of PTK inductees will be recognized on April 21 during a ceremony led by current members. To join Phi Theta Kappa, students must be invited based on their college grade point average. A one-time membership fee is required, and the PCC Foundation assists with paying a portion. For those interested in contributing to the PTK fund to support these devoted students, contact Beth Townsend at (336) 322-2104 or beth.townsend@piedmontcc.edu or donate online at www.piedmontcc.edu/donate-now.
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