Honor society receives international recognition
College president, adviser also honored for leadership efforts
Texarkana College’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter is receiving international recognition and its adviser and the college president are getting accolades for their leadership.
TC’s Zeta Sigma Chapter was named as one of the Top 100 Phi Theta Kappa chapters out of the 1,289 international chapters. The announcement was made last month during the first-ever virtual international convention.
“It is a joy to watch it grow into an internationally recognized chapter,” said Dr. Jason Smith, TC president, giving credit to chapter adviser Dr. Mary Ellen Young.
Phi Theta Kappa is an international honor society of two-year colleges and academic programs, particularly state colleges and community colleges.
TC’s Zeta Sigma Chapter earned international recognition for its Honors in Action project that was themed “Powers of Connection - The Benefits and Challenges of Technology and Gamification in Upper-level Education.”
Lori Potts, now a TC alum who served as the local chapter’s vice president of scholarship while a student, said research was conducted on the award-winning project last fall.
It turned out to be a timely topic, given learning went virtual midway through the spring semester because of the pandemic.
Specifically, Texarkana College’s Phi Theta Kappa members surveyed community college students to determine what kind of technology students preferred, what technology they were able to access and what kind of gaming platforms they accessed and how it benefited them, Potts said.
Some of the game-based learning platforms in
the research project’s scope included Kahoot! and Quizlet.
“Some of takeaways we found were a lot of students had access to technology, but about 25 percent of students surveyed didn’t have access to it. That really opened our eyes. We sent that information to faculty so they would know if students were having trouble with that and take that into consideration when assigning things with technology,” Potts said.
The project’s findings also offered insight on how technology assists students in their studies.
Zeta Sigma members were credited for their exemplary work on the project and were honored with the Distinguished Honors in Action Project Award for their research and project. At the state level, the Zeta Sigma chapter also earned a Texas Top Chapter Award out of 92 chapters in the Texas region.
The 2019-2020 Zeta Sigma Chapter had more than 83 new members. Chapter officers and members who were instrumental in working on the winning projects were Potts, Shelby Reed, Maia Brown, Madison Brannan and Kristin Crabtree.
“I am so proud of our students because it is a tremendous amount of work they do to complete these projects,” Young said.
Smith and Young were also honored by Phi Theta Kappa for their leadership.
Smith received the Paragon Award for New Presidents – given to presidents who have been in their position for less than four years and who recognize, promote and support their local, state and international PTK chapters.
“Our chapter nominated of Dr. Smith for the award because of the incredible support and encouragement he gave our student members. We had high hopes and great confidence that he would be strongly considered as an honoree. We were so pleased to hear of his selection for this prestigious award,” Young said.
She said Smith’s and the Board of Trustees’ strong support and encouragement were instrumental in the local Phi Theta Kappa chapter’s successes.
Smith said Young’s commitment to TC students and community are responsible for his accolade.
“She is able to identify really strong leaders in our society, our chapter, and they have taken our Phi Theta Kappa chapter to new heights. I am so glad of how Dr. Young has built this up, not only in the state of Texas but nationally and internationally…The recognition I receive is because of the hard work and commitment of Dr. Young,” he said.
Smith also credited TC faculty members Alonza Mitchell and Valerie Shirley, who served as co-advisers this year, for their leadership and commitment to excellence.
Also, Young was honored with the Continued Excellence Award for Advisors – given to an adviser who exhibits exemplary service, leadership, and commitment in guiding their chapters toward success and who has previously been awarded the Distinguished Advisor Award.
In her 15 years as the Zeta Sigma Chapter’s adviser, Young said one of the most transforming parts was Phi Theta Kappa’s C4 — Community College Completion Corps, which focuses on students completing their degrees and certificates.
The C4 components led to TC’s Achieving the Dream program.
Young said they wanted to change the culture and hold signing days where students and faculty pledge and commit to achieving the dream of degree and certificate completions.
It also is part of Stephen Covey’s “Begin With the End In Mind” habit.
Phi Theta Kappa’s four hallmarks are scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship.
Young said benefits to students participating in Phi Theta Kappa include helping develop leadership roles, opportunities to present at conferences and getting to know other scholars in the state and country.
The international conference awards ceremony was supposed to be held in person before the COVID-19 restrictions hit, but it became a virtual event.
Young said TC staff and students watched from their homes.
“As the excitement grew, our cellphones were just blowing up. It was exciting. Those awards are very difficult to win and we were very excited to place that night,” she said.