Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa ( 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 American Association of Community Colleges 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 only. 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

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.

In 2025, PTK sought an injunction against Toni Marek, a former employee who wrote a book critical of the organization. The district court of Victoria County granted a temporary restraining order preventing publication of the book on March 26, 2025.

References

External links

Phi Theta Kappa Website

{{Authority control

Two-year college honor societies
Student societies in the United States
Student organizations established in 1918
1918 establishments in Missouri
Honor societies