The Psi Epsilon Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) at Northeast Alabama Community College (NACC) was recently recognized and awarded for achievement at the Phi Theta Kappa Alabama Regional Convention held at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in Birmingham, Alabama, in March 2024. PTK officers Mary Mauney, Stephanie Diaz Rocha, Diana Ortega Mata, Raven Fairley, Hillary Green, and Crystal Turner attended the convention, accompanied by Chapter Advisors, Billy Day and Olivia Dodd.

At the convention, NACC received a REACH Award for growing the chapter’s membership, as well as a Five Star Chapter Award for fulfilling the Society’s standards. The Psi Epsilon Chapter was also named a Distinguished Chapter. This designation is given to chapters who excel at Phi Theta Kappa’s two major projects, the Honors in Action Project and the College Project.

“Phi Theta Kappa provides many outstanding experiences and opportunities for community college students,” stated President Dr. David Campbell. “We have one of the most outstanding chapters in the United States and we are very proud of our college sponsors and these students.”

This year, the chapter’s honors project was based on increasing intergenerational interaction through play, and the chapter’s college service project centered on increasing student access to important campus resources. Phi Theta Kappa President Crystal Turner commented, “I am so proud of our officer team and our chapter for all of the hard work that went into our activities this year.”

Following the Regional Convention, the Chapter received recognition at the Phi Theta Kappa International Convention held in Orlando, Florida. Chapter advisors Billy Day and Olivia Dodd received the Distinguished Advisor Team Award, which recognizes an advisor team that demonstrates an exceptional atmosphere of teamwork, leadership abilities, promotion of Phi Theta Kappa programming and other engagement in the Society, and enthusiasm for the Society’s Hallmarks.

Chapter Advisor Olivia Dodd received the Distinguished Advisor Award, which recognizes significant contributions to the growth of individual members and service as the chapter's advocate on campus. Ms. Dodd commented, “Our chapter’s success depends on the support we receive from our college president, Dr. David Campbell, and the NACC faculty and staff. We are so grateful for Dr. Campbell’s support of Phi Theta Kappa programs, activities, and events. We would also like to extend sincere thanks to Ms. Emily Bailey, NACC staff member, for her assistance over the past year.”

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, is the largest honor society in higher education with 1,285 chapters on college campuses in all 50 of the United States, plus Canada, Germany, the Republic of Palau, Peru, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the British Virgin Islands, the United Arab Emirates and U.S. territorial possessions. More than 3 million students have been inducted since its founding in 1918, with approximately 134,000 students inducted annually. The Phi Theta Kappa Foundation awards $1.5 million in scholarships to members each year, and four-year college partners now offer

$250 million in transfer scholarships exclusively for Phi Theta Kappa members. The PTK Edge suite of free online courses helps students develop key skills to successfully transfer to a four-year college and gain employment.

For more information about how to get involved with Phi Theta Kappa and its programs, you may contact Olivia Dodd (doddo@nacc.edu) or Billy Day (dayb@nacc.edu).