www.ptk.org

• Welcome to the Phi Theta Kappa orientation meeting. Today we are excited to tell you about a unique opportunity to be recognized for your academic achievement, only available to community college students.

• We want you to know all about the opportunities that lie ahead for you as a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

You probably have lots of questions – mainly, “How will the Phi Theta Kappa Experience benefit me?”

Members of Alpha Chi Zeta, Seattle Central Community College& Pi Iota, Shoreline Community College at Seattle Center

Benefits of Membership

Opportunities for Recognition

• Golden Key Membership Pin• Membership Certificate• Membership Identification Card• Diploma Seal

• One of the most visible symbols of Phi Theta Kappa membership is the Golden Key Membership Pin. Members receive the Golden Key Membership Pin and wear it proudly as an emblem of their academic achievement.

• Members also receive a gold-embossed Membership Certificate and Identification Card. The certificate is suitable for framing, and serves as another visible confirmation of your academic success.

• Both the Membership Certificate and Membership Identification Card can be presented to college officials or potential employers as verification of membership in Phi Theta Kappa.

• The gold embossed Diploma Seal is available to all members. The seal is placed on the associate degree diploma to denote membership.

Opportunities for Recognition

• Membership Notation on College Transcript

• Distinctive Graduation Regalia• Letters of Recommendation• Newspaper Press Release

• Membership may also be noted on your college transcripts. The transcript notation can be beneficial when transcripts are required for scholarship consideration, employment applications and admission to senior colleges and universities.

• Members have the opportunity to wear distinctive graduation regalia including the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Stole, Tassel, Double Honor Cord and Key Medallion.

• Members may also request a letter of recommendation sent from Phi Theta Kappa’s Executive Director, confirming membership and highlighting the member’s role in the Society. This can be an important addition to applications for scholarships, college admission or employment.

Phi Theta Kappa Partner Benefits

• Bank of America• GEICO• Kaplan Test Prep• T-Mobile• Barnes & Noble• Books-a-Million• USA Today

…and more

• Phi Theta Kappa works with a network of corporate partners to provide new membership benefits.

• Complete details on all membership benefits supported by Phi Theta Kappa partners is available online at www.ptk.org.

Members of Alpha Chi Zeta, Seattle Central Community College, Alpha Epsilon Omega, North Seattle Community College &Pi Iota, Shoreline Community College at Seattle Center

Scholarships

• Some of the most valued benefits of membership are the scholarship opportunities exclusively for members.

• Phi Theta Kappa’s scholarship opportunities include transfer scholarships offered by colleges and universities, scholarships offered by Phi Theta Kappa and scholarships offered by corporate partners.

Connect to Scholarships

• CollegeFish.org

www.CollegeFish.org

• FREE for Students

• Phi Theta Kappa

Scholarships

http://scholarships.ptk.org

• Phi Theta Kappa’s network of scholarship partners grows every day. For the most up-to-date listing of scholarship partners visit www.CollegeFish.org. New scholarships are added daily.

• All new Phi Theta Kappa members are automatically enrolled in CollegeFish.org, an online tool to assist students in planning for transfer. CollegeFish.org allows you to explore more than 2,000 profiles on senior colleges and universities, find your best fit through the “college match” feature, and receive reminders of important dates and deadlines related to your top colleges.

• CollegeFish.org is often a first stop for senior college and university recruiters in their efforts to recruit academically talented transfer students. Enrollment allows recruiters to notify you about special scholarship offers.

• In addition, you can go to scholarships.ptk.org for a complete listing of all scholarships administered directly through Phi Theta Kappa headquarters.

Transfer Scholarships

• More than $37 million in scholarships• Over 700 colleges and universities • Ivy League colleges including:

– Harvard University Extension School– Cornell University of General Studies– Columbia University – University of Pennsylvania

• Four-year colleges and universities recognize the value of Phi Theta Kappa membership and they want you as a transfer student. They offer more than $37 million in transfer scholarships to attend their institutions.

• Only Phi Theta Kappa members are eligible for these exclusive scholarships offered by approximately 700 colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, Great Britain and Online.

• Even Ivy League colleges like Harvard, Cornell, Columbia and University of Pennsylvania offer transfer scholarships exclusively for our members.

Local Transfer Scholarships are available for you at these institutions in Arkansas

Arkansas Tech UniversityHendrix College

John Brown UniversityLyon College

Ouachita Baptist UniversityUniversity of Arkansas

University of the OzarksWilliams Baptist College

A list of scholarships is available at scholarships.ptk.org or in CollegeFish at www.CollegeFish.org.

Associate Degree Scholarships

Leaders of Promise Scholarship• Up to thirty $1000 awards annually • Application deadline May 1

Frank Lanza Memorial Scholarship• Up to 25 $1000 awards annually• Students in Nursing, Respiratory Care,

or Emergency Medical Services• Application deadline October 15

• The Leaders of Promise Scholarship Program provides Phi Theta Kappa members with financial resources for educational expenses at the community college.

• Annually, thirty scholarships of $1,000 each are awarded to outstanding members from applications submitted each May.

• In addition, up to two students will receive the Geico Business Student Scholarship. Students interested in the Geico Scholarship must apply for Leaders of Promise Scholarship, complete additional questions and be declared business majors. Two students will be awarded $1,000 each.

• The Lanza Scholarship awards up to 25 $1,000 awards annually to students majoring in nursing, respiratory care, or emergency medical services.

Baccalaureate Degree Scholarships

Hites Transfer Scholarship• Up to five $7500 awards annually• Application deadline March 1

Guistwhite Scholarship• Up to twenty $5000 awards annually• Application deadline December 1

• The Hites and Guistwhite Scholarships provide members with financial resources to assist with educational expenses for completion of baccalaureate studies.

• The Hites Scholarship provides five $7500 awards annually to transferring members.

• The Guistwhite scholarship provides twenty $5000 scholarships annually.

Other Scholarship OpportunitiesApply for up to four scholarships

on ONE application!

All-USA Academic Team• Up to $50,000 awarded annually• By nomination• Recognition in USA TODAY

Coca-Cola All-State Academic Teams• Up to $350,000 awarded annually• Recognition in USA TODAY

• The All-USA Community College Academic Team, the Coca-Cola All-State Community College Academic Team, and the New Century Scholars Program are examples of such initiatives.

• The All-USA Academic Team is jointly sponsored by the American Association of Community Colleges, Phi Theta Kappa and USA TODAY. The purpose is to recognize scholarly achievements and leadership accomplishments of students enrolled in community, technical and junior colleges. Each year first team members receive $2,500 stipends, a medallion, an obelisk and recognition in USA TODAY.

• The Coca-Cola All-State Community College Academic Team program, funded by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, provides up to 50 Gold, 50 Silver, 50 Bronze and 150 Finalist awards as well.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

New Century Scholars Award• Top All-USA/All-State nominee from each state• Up to $104,000 awarded annually

All-State Academic Team programs• Currently in 37 states• Recognition on the local level• Varying amounts awarded annually• Application deadline December 1

• The New Century Scholars Program is jointly sponsored by the American Association of Community Colleges, The Coca-Cola Foundation, The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and Phi Theta Kappa. The highest scoring student from each of the 50 states will be named a New Century Scholar. One student from a chapter in Canada, and one student from an international chapter will be named a New Century Scholar as well.

• A number of states offer All-State Academic Teams, which provide opportunities for additional recognition on the state level. Students nominated are automatically named to the All-State Academic Team.

• All-USA nominees qualify for these additional awards automatically.

Other Awards

Nota Bene Honors Anthology

• Nationally circulated two-year college academic journal

• Professional publishing opportunity for members

• $3,000 awarded annually for top submissions

• Nota Bene is an annual literary anthology recognizing the outstanding writing of Phi Theta Kappa members and demonstrates to the literary public the academic excellence found at community colleges.

• Each year approximately 30 literary works are selected for publication in Nota Bene. Authors of manuscripts judged most outstanding are awarded scholarships totaling $3,000.

• In addition to the opportunities for scholarships, Nota Bene provides Phi Theta Kappa members with the experience of being published in an academic journal that is distributed to more than 2,000 college libraries.

Other Awards

USA TODAY Case Study Challenge

• Scholarly research

• Four Case Studies published – USA TODAY Collegiate Website

• $2,000 awarded annually

• The Case Study Challenge gives you an opportunity to gain valuable experience in academic research using USA TODAYnewspapers.

• This program awards $2,000 in stipends annually. Authors of the top four case studies receive stipends of $500 each, presented during Phi Theta Kappa’s Annual Convention, and their case studies are published on the USA TODAYcollegiate website.

Members of Alpha Chi Zeta, Seattle Central Community College, Whidbey Island ferry, Seattle

Personal and Professional Development

• In addition to recognition, Phi Theta Kappa offers members opportunities for professional development through participation in Society programs.

• Programs include community service, academic study, leadership development and networking that will strengthen your college experience and prepare you for the future.

Scholarship First

• Membership is based entirely on academic achievement.

• Participation in activities is not required, but expands your experience.

• Members often say that they become members for the recognition and scholarships, but after they see the chapter in action, they become interested in participating in programs, too.

Competitive Edge

• Personal and professional development plan for members

• Strengthen your leadership skills for scholarships, transfer, and job placement

• Create your own portfolio• All online!

• Competitive Edge is a professional development plan designed to give members an advantage in seeking scholarships, transfer and job placement.

• The plan includes self-paced activities and online videos that strengthen planning, communication and teambuilding skills AND allows members to create their own online portfolio of accomplishments to share with others.

Building Leadership

• In your chapter

• As a chapter or regional officer

• Internationally

Members of Alpha Kappa Xi, Santa Fe Community College, New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe

• Leadership opportunities abound in Phi Theta Kappa.

• Your leadership opportunities start at the local level. You can chair a committee or run for chapter office.

• More leadership opportunities are waiting for you at the regional level. Members elected to regional office serve as motivators and educators to all chapters in the region.

• The highest point of student leadership in Phi Theta Kappa is the position of International Officer. Each year at the Annual Convention, five students are elected to this leadership position. Throughout their year of service, they travel as ambassadors of the Society. Once their term is complete, International Officers receive a scholarship for continuing their education.

Fellowship and Networking

• Chapter Meetings and Activities

• Regional Meetings – Leadership and life-skills development

• Annual Convention – Celebration of Phi Theta Kappa Hallmarks

• Phi Theta Kappa’s meetings give you opportunities to make new friends, share ideas and develop your leadership skills.

• Attend our next meeting or chapter activity, and you will experience scholarly fellowship first-hand.

• At regional meetings you learn leadership and life-skills that not only prepare you as a student leader, but also for your future after college.

• Phi Theta Kappa’s Annual Convention offers the ultimate in celebration of the Society’s four Hallmarks of Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Fellowship. With award presentations, the election of International Officers, Educational Forums and world renowned speakers, it’s an event that you won’t want to miss.

Members of Alpha Chi Zeta, Seattle Central Community College, & Pi Iota, Shoreline Community College , Whidbey Island ferry, Seattle

Honors Programs

• Honors Study Topic

• Honors in Action

• Honors Seminars

• International Honors Institute

• Honors in Action is Phi Theta Kappa’s unique approach to programming. It is the cornerstone of the “Phi Theta Kappa Experience”. Members and chapters have opportunities to learn, lead, and serve based on their exploration of the Society’s Honors Study Topic.

• To complement our study, Phi Theta Kappa produces Honors Seminars, which are broadcast each fall. The seminars feature experts on the Honors Study Topic and provide opportunities for live discussion across the nation and abroad.

• Phi Theta Kappa also offers you the opportunity to attend the Society’s premier scholarly event – the International Honors Institute. As a participant, you will engage in a week of in-depth study and discussion of the Honors Study Topic while networking with members throughout the Society.

Membership Eligibility

Members of Alpha Kappa Xi, Santa Fe Community College, St. Francis Cathedral, Santa Fe

Eligibility Requirements

• 3.5 Cumulative GPA

• 12 Hours of Associate Degree

Coursework

Membership in Phi Theta Kappa is a special honor available only to a

small group of outstanding scholars.

• Generally, members must achieve a 3.5 cumulative grade point average, and have completed at least 12 hours of associate degree coursework.

• Once inducted, you will remain a member of Phi Theta Kappa as long as you meet the Maintenance GPA of 3.25 set by the chapter.

• Students are not required to be United States citizens to accept membership. As long as the student possesses all rights of citizenship in his or her country, the student would meet the citizen requirement for membership eligibility.

Accepting the Invitation

Alpha Kappa Xi, Santa Fe Community College, New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe

Making Membership Official

• Membership application

• To receive scholarship offers & benefits, members must provide:

– Academic Major– Expected Graduation or Transfer

Date – Current Email Address

• To accept membership, complete the official application online at www.ptk.org/become-a-member. You should have received an email from Phi Theta Kappa with a personal passcode to accept membership online.

• There is a one-time membership fee of $85.

• To receive all scholarship offers and exclusive benefits, members must provide their major, expected graduation or transfer date and a current email address. After submitting your Membership Application, members will receive an important email from Phi Theta Kappa, requesting this information, so be sure to watch for this message.

For your convenience, application formsare completed exclusively online.

All applications must be submitted along with the one-time fee by Friday, April 24th, 2015

• Membership requires a one-time membership fee consisting of an International Fee -$60, Regional Fee - $6, and Local Fee - $19. GRAND TOTAL $85.00

• The fees are paid online by credit card or debit card and are due by Friday, April 24th, 2015.

• No applications or fees will be accepted after this date.

Making Membership Official• One-Time Membership Fee

• Induction Ceremony : Friday, May 1, 2015 at 7:00 pm

Members of Alpha Kappa Xi, Santa Fe Community College, St. Francis Cathedral, Santa Fe

• The Induction Ceremony publicly recognizes the academic achievement of members. Our Induction Ceremony will be held on Friday, December 12, 2014 at 7:00 pm at the Eisele Auditorium in the Dierks Center.

• Members may invite family and friends to the Induction Ceremony to join in this special celebration.

• If you have any questions, please call or email: • Caleb Grisham, 501.760.4338

cgrisham@npcc.edu• Or Nannette Crane-Post, 501-760-4191

ncrane@npcc.edufor more information.

• There is a strict deadline of Friday, April 24th, 2015 for turning in the completed membership applications and all fees. No applications or fees will be accepted after this date.

• Thank you for giving us this time to share the benefits and opportunities that Phi Theta Kappa membership offers.

• We hope that you will accept the invitation to become part of this dynamic organization.

THANK YOU!

Members of Alpha Kappa Xi, Santa Fe Community College, overlooking the Rio Grande River, White Rock, New Mexico

Accept the Invitationwww.ptk.org