# Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa (ΦΘΚ or PTK) is an honor society for students of associate degree-granting colleges. Its headquarters are in Jackson, Mississippi and it has more than 4.3 million members in nearly 1,300 chapters in eleven nations.

## History

Phi Theta Kappa originated from Kappa Phi Omicron, an honor society established at Stephens College in Missouri, a two-year college for women. As similar honor societies formed in Missouri, the college presidents and students of eight Missouri women's colleges came together in 1918 to create a single honor society—Phi Theta Kappa.
Phi Theta Kappa's mission is to recognize community college students' academic achievement and to provide opportunities for them to grow as scholars and leaders. Phi Theta Kappa was named after Phi Beta Kappa and modeled after many aspects of the senior college honor society. Its first chapter was chartered at St. Joseph Junior College in Missouri, in 1926.
On November 19, 1929, Phi Theta Kappa petitioned the American Association of Junior Colleges (now the American Association of Community Colleges) to be recognized as an official national honor society for junior colleges, alongside Phi Rho Pi and others. While not historically accurate, Phi Theta Kappa now celebrates its "Founder's Day" on November 19 each year.
In 1930, Margaret Mosal was elected as the first National President of Phi Theta Kappa. Mosal oversaw the operations of Phi Theta Kappa from a makeshift office in the back of her husband's hardware store, where she notably stored all of the organization's records in a shoebox. In 1953, she moved the operations of Phi Theta Kappa to her home, underscoring the meager beginnings in the first fifty years of the society
The society's second national president, Rod Risley, first joined Phi Theta Kappa as a student, becoming national president in 1974, and subsequently joined as an employee in 1977. His career culminated in over three decades as executive director and CEO, during which he was recognized in the AACC Hall of Fame in 2008.
Today, the society's headquarters are in Jackson, Mississippi. It has initiated more than 4.3 million members.

## Symbols

Phi Theta Kappa acknowledges that it copied its name after Phi Beta Kappa, and it was modeled after many aspects of the senior college honor society. The society adopted blue and gold, the golden key insignia, and modeled the name directly after Phi Beta Kappa. While similar in name, color scheme, and symbols, it is important to note that no formal relationship between the two societies has ever existed.
Members are referred to as "Phi Theta Kappans." The first membership pin was designed in 1921: a blue triangle containing three Greek letters surrounded by pearls. The distinctive gold key membership pin was adopted in 1930 and features a black enamel band upon which the three Greek letters appear. Behind the band is a wreath composed of oak leaves on one side, denoting stability and strength of character, and laurel on the other side, signifying achievement and success. Above the band is a representation of the head of Athena, Goddess of Wisdom; in the base appear the mystic Greek letters meaning light, the light of learning, and knowledge. The colors of the society are blue for scholarship and gold for purity. Its hallmarks or pillars are ''Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Fellowship''.

## Activities

Phi Theta Kappa offers transfer scholarships for its members and scholarships to help members complete associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees and to help workforce-bound member pay for certification costs. The society publishes the literary journal Nota Bene, Civic Scholar: Phi Theta Kappa Journal of Undergraduate Research, and Change Makers: Phi Theta Kappa Journal of Student Leadership. PTK also offers an online program to help students develop job skills.

## Membership

Membership in Phi Theta Kappa is by invitation. Students must complete twelve hours of coursework toward an associate degree, six hours toward a one-year certificate, or twelve hours toward a bachelor's degree and have a minimum 3.5 grade point average (GPA) according to the society bylaws. Members are required to pay an initial membership fee.

## Chapters

Phi Theta Kappa has nearly 1,300 chapters in eleven nations.

## Notable members

Selected notable members of Phi Theta Kappa :
| Member | Chapter | Notability |
| Oula A. Alrifai | University of Maryland | Syrian writer |
| Hamza Arsbi | Kennedy Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Programs | social entrepreneur |
| Carol M. Browner | University of Florida | lawyer, environmentalist, and businesswoman |
| Anne Carlsen | University of Minnesota | special educator |
| Thomas Matthew Crooks | Community College of Allegheny County | attempted assassin of Donald Trump |
| Linda Dominguez | Nassau Community College | Nigerian publisher, public relations officer and tourism promoter |
| Christopher G. Donovan | Capitol Community College | politician |
| Sylvia Earle | St. Petersburg College | oceanographer, explorer and diver |
| Evan Edinger | Salem Community College | YouTuber |
| Alexander Gamelin | Michigan State University | ice dancer |
| Alberto Gutman | University of Miami | politician |
| Fred Haise | Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College | NASA astronaut |
| Max Hechtman | Fashion Institute of Technology | filmmaker, video editor and videographer |
| Rich Karlgaard | Stanford University | journalist and author |
| Jeane Kirkpatrick | Stephens College | diplomat and political scientist |
| Jim Lehrer | Victoria College | journalist, novelist, screenwriter, and playwright |
| Carolyne Mas | Cochise College | singer-songwriter and performer |
| Doug Mastriano | Mercer County Community College | politician |
| Wes Moore | Valley Forge Military Academy and College | politician, businessman, author, and veteran |
| Francine Irving Neff | University of New Mexico | 35th treasurer of the United States |
| Mirta Ojito | Florida Atlantic University | author and journalist |
| Modupe Ozolua | Southwestern College | Lebanese-Nigerian-American philanthropist and entrepreneur |
| Ross Perot | Texarkana College | businessman, politician and philanthropist |
| William L. Roper | University of Alabama | physician and former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) |
| Walter Rundell Jr. | Lee College | author, academic, and historian |
| Venetta Seals | Tyler Junior College | politician and businesswoman |
| Gerald Steichen | Oklahoma City University | music conductor, pianist and stage actor |
| Dan Stoenescu | College of Alameda | Romanian diplomat, political scientist, and journalist |
| Bill Sinkin | San Antonio College | community activist and founder/chairman of Solar San Antonio |
| Sela Ward | Meridian Community College | actress |
| Steven Whitehurst | South Suburban College | author, poet, and educator |
| Trisha Yearwood | Young Harris College | singer and author |

## Controversies and member misconduct

In 2024, Phi Theta Kappa entered into two lawsuits over false advertising, attempted monopoly, and trade dress. Honor Society sued PTK, claiming it misrepresents its membership criteria and potentially deceives students into joining under false pretenses, by falsely asserting that it is limited to the top ten percent of students. PTK filed a lawsuit against the Honor Society, alleging trademark infringement and the use of similar visual elements and marketing materials, namely blue and gold colors, gold stoles, and the usage of wreaths.
In February 2024, Robin Lowe, a former advisor for the PTK chapter at Itawamba Community College, was charged with embezzlement of public funds meant to benefit the PTK chapter. Lowe was the chapter advisor for Phi Theta Kappa for fifteen years, from 2008 to May of 2023.
In 2015, national PTK president Rod Risley took a paid leave of absence following claims of sexual harassment, intimidation, and unprofessional behavior from two former student international officers. These allegations prompted the Phi Theta Kappa board of directors to initiate an investigation. Risley announced his retirement, leading to the termination of the inquiry and his receipt of a multi-million dollar retirement package.