Mission

"The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa shall be to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students. To achieve this purpose, Phi Theta Kappa shall provide opportunity for the development of leadership and service, for an intellectual climate for exchange of ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship for scholars, and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence."

Phi Theta Kappa's mission is two-fold: 1) recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and (2) provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service and fellowship programming.

History

Phi Theta Kappa traces its beginnings to a Society the originated with six charter members under the name of Kappa Phi Omicron at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, in 1910. The Society continued to grow and in the spring of 1918 was one of many honorary groups in Missouri. At a meeting of the presidents of the Missouri junior colleges for women in 1918, it was decided to organize a new honorary society, chapters of which would have a common character, stand, and similarity of organization. The name Phi Theta Kappa was chosen, and the Society was incorporated in Missouri as a national organization. Founders modeled many aspects of the new Society after the prestigious senior college honorary society, Phi Beta Kappa.

The eight charter colleges of Phi Theta Kappa were Hardin, Stephens, Christian, Lindenwood, Cottey, Howard Payne, William Woods, and Central. The alpha chapter was established at Hardin College, but was later moved to Stephens College when Hardin College became a baccalaureate granting institution. Today, Cottey College, Columbia, Missouri, is the only charter college with an active Phi Theta Kappa chapter.

For the first six years, Phi Theta Kappa confined its activity to women's junior colleges, but in 1924 through constitutional amendment, the field of activity was enlarged to cover all junior colleges. In 1926, Phi Theta Kappa expanded beyond the borders of Missouri and into coeducational institutions. The American Association of Community Colleges recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two-year colleges in 1929.

In 1930, Margaret James (Mosal) became the first elected national president of Phi Theta Kappa while attending Whitworth College in Brookhaven, Mississippi. She became national secretary in 1935 and moved the records of the organization to her hometown of Canton. Mosal served as Phi Theta Kappa's chief executive for fifty years, retiring as executive director in 1985.

In the early years, Phi Theta Kappa membership was conferred to students at time of graduation and few programs and services were offered. The explosive growth of community colleges in the 1960s led Phi Theta Kappa to expand its mission to reflect the nurturing philosophy of the institutions it served. Students were inducted as freshmen and study programs were offered.

Today

Today, Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than 1.5 million members and 1,200 chapters located in 50 united states, U.S. territories, Canada, and Germany.

The innovative programs and services and array of membership benefits offered by Phi Theta Kappa are unequaled among honor societies. Co-curricular programs focus upon the Society's Hallmark of Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Fellowship. It is estimated that 200,000 students participate in Phi Theta Kappa programs each year.

Annually, more than 90,000 students are inducted into Phi Theta Kappa. To be eligible for membership a student must complete a minimum of twelve hours of associate degree course work and earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Students must maintain a high academic standing throughout their enrollment in the two-year college, generally a 3.25 GPA. The average age of a new member is 29, ranging from 18 to 80. Part-time and full-time students are eligible for membership. Students pay a one-time membership fee of $38. Chapters and regional organizations may also assess dues.

Facets of the Society

Recognition Items

Following induction, a new member receives a gold embossed membership certificate, a membership identification card, a membership key pin, a diploma seal, and a transcript notation of membership. Each member is automatically nominated for inclusion in the prestigious National Dean's List biographical publication and is enrolled in the Society's Transfer Database, linking senior institutions offering scholarships to Phi Theta Kappa members. Members are accorded the privilege of wearing the Society's Gold Stole and Tassel at graduation.

Browse Phi Theta Kappa Recognitions Items.

Scholarships

Nearly 600 senior institutions in 49 states and provinces provide more than $35 million in scholarships exclusively to Phi Theta Kappa members. Also, Phi Theta Kappa awards each year over $225,000 in scholarships to members and chapter advisors. These include the Guistwhite Scholarship program, which awards to members twenty $5,000 stipends for completion of baccalaureate studies. The Society also provides $80,000 in scholarships for members and faculty advisors to attend the Honors Institute. Chapter advisors compete for Mosal Scholar and Leader Awards, ten $5000 stipends. International officers receive $2000 upon completion of their terms of office and thirty students receive $250 each from the National Deans List. Phi Theta Kappa presents students one $1,000 and four $500 awards for winning writings appearing in the Society's honors anthology, Nota Bene. And most currently, the Society offers thirty $1000 Leaders of Promise scholarships to students pursuing an associates degree while enrolled at the community college.

Find out more about Phi Theta Kappa scholarship opportunities.

Honors Program

Every two years, Phi Theta Kappa's Honors Committee unveils the Society's Honors Study Program, an interdisciplinary study of a timely topic which is used by chapters and colleges as the basis for honors study in colloquies, courses, and seminars. Phi Theta Kappa publishes the Honors Study Guide which serves as a resource guide for exploring the Honors Study Topic. The cornerstone of the study program is the highly acclaimed Honors Institute and Faculty Development Conference.

The Honors Institute is a week-long summer conference held for studying in depth the current Honors Study Topic. The Institute is generally held on a senior institution campus and attendance is limited to 450 participants. Following daily lectures, students meet in small group seminars led by a faculty member to discuss presentations and issues raised. Off-site cultural experiences constitute a major component of the program. Prior to the Institute, a Faculty Scholar Conference is held where 25 faculty members convene with noted scholars from diverse fields of study to examine the Honors Study Topic. These faculty members serve as seminar leaders for the Institute and are selected by application. Major funding for the Faculty Development Conference was provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Find further information and resources on Honors Programs, the Honors Study Topic Program Guide and the Honors Institute.

Leadership Programs

In 1992, Phi Theta Kappa received nearly $2 million from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation to launch a leadership development program designed for two-year colleges. The Kellogg Grant introduced and evaluated the program at 100 community colleges and certified 200 faculty members, administrators, or college presidents to teach the humanities-based leadership studies course. From 1990 to 1998, the Kellogg Foundation funded a total of 31 leadership development programs in higher education, naming Phi Theta Kappa's and only seven others Exemplary Programs. Since the conclusion of the Kellogg Grant Period, Phi Theta Kappa Leadership Development Studies has expanded to more than 470 institutions with more than 1,450 people who have attended a Certification Seminar in preparation to teach the curriculum. The leadership development program, participatory in nature, utilizes readings and films from the Classics to unleash the leadership potential of emerging community leaders and students.

Find information for faculty and students interested in Phi Theta Kappa Leadership Development Studies.

Service Program

Phi Theta Kappa promotes chapter participation in a two-year service program. The focus of the service program is based on chapter surveys. During the initial year of the program, chapter members learn as much as possible about the social problem by sponsoring lectures and colloquies for the entire college community. During the second year of the program, chapters take a well-crafted education program to the high schools to engage students in service program activities. Past service programs have included working with the National Mental Health Association to fight the ills of depression, the Ryan White Foundation to launch an HIV/AIDS education program for two-year colleges and high schools, and the Department of Education to improve literacy through the President Clinton's America Reads initiative. Phi Theta Kappa's 2002-04 International Service Program is "Conquering Cancer: A Prevention and Awareness Program with the American Cancer Society."

Read more about "Conquering Cancer: A Prevention and Awareness Program with the American Cancer Society", the 2002-04 International Service Program.

Publications

Phi Theta Kappa publications include the Visionary, annual publication; Golden Key electronic newsletter; The Golden Key Newsletter (formerly The Journey), a newsletter published six times during the academic term for chapter advisors and officers; Honors Study Guide, annual guide for implementing Honors Study Program; The Chapter Resource Manual, annual reference and planning guide; Hallmark Guide and Five Star Guides, reference guides for awards competitions; Scholarship Directory, listing of senior institutions providing scholarships to members; and Nota Bene, an honors anthology publishing student writings which is circulated to all two-year colleges.

Browse on-line versions of selected issues and read more about Society publications.

International Convention

Each year in the spring, Phi Theta Kappa holds an International Convention attended by 4,000 chapter members, advisors, alumni, and college presidents. During the Convention, speakers of international renown address the Honors Study Topic and service program. Education forums are held on topics related to chapter programming, preparing members for transfer, and member motivation. Hallmark Awards are presented to individuals and chapters for distinguished accomplishment in Society programs. Immediately prior to the Convention, pre-conferences are held for chapter advisors and regional and chapter officers.

Find out more about the International Convention.

Regional Organizations

Phi Theta Kappa has 29 regional organizations, many being state organizations, which hold conventions and leadership conferences, offer awards and scholarship programs, and conduct Regional Honors Institutes. Regional organizations are headed by a Regional Coordinator (Phi Theta Kappa Advisor) and elect student regional officers.

Find out more about Regional Programs.

All-USA Academic Teams

Phi Theta Kappa sponsors with the national newspaper USA Today and the American Association of Community Colleges the All-USA Academic Team for Community and Junior Colleges. Two-year college presidents may nominate up to two students per campus for recognition. Students are selected based upon academic achievement, community service involvement, and leadership accomplishment. Twenty students are named to a first team, second team, and third team. First team students are featured in an April issue of USA Today and received $2500 stipends. Second and third team members are listed in the newspaper and receive medallions. As an extension of the All-USA Academic Team Program, Phi Theta Kappa has partnered with the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, the Coca-Cola Foundation and the American Association of Community Colleges to award fifty $2,000 scholarships to the New Century Scholar, the top-scoring student in each state in the All-USA Academic Scholarship competition.

All-State Academic Teams

Phi Theta Kappa, two-year college presidents, and community college state associations co-sponsor All-State Academic Team recognition programs in 35 states. Students nominated to the All-USA Academic Team are automatically named to the All-State Academic Team. Ranking on the All-State team is often determined by the student score in the national competition. All-State Recognition programs are held in the state capital with legislators, education leaders, and corporate leaders attending. All-State Team members receive special recognition including medallions and often times stipends and scholarships. More than $26 million dollars is available in scholarships and stipends for All-State team members.

Distinguished Alumni

Distinguished alumni include Jeane J. Kirkpatrick, Ambassador; Fred Haise, Apollo XIII Astronaut; Sela Ward, actress; Dr. William Roper, director, Centers for Disease Control; and H. Ross Perot, businessman; Trisha Yearwood, entertainer. See an extensive list of distinguished alumnii.

Governance and Staff

Phi Theta Kappa is governed by a Board of Directors, comprised of seven members, with representatives elected from various Society constituencies. Annually, five students are elected to serve as international officers during the Society's International Convention. One international officer is elected to a one-year term to the Board of Directors. The Headquarters staff of more than 50 is led by an executive director, who is appointed by the Board.

Special Projects

Phi Theta Kappa has received numerous grants from foundations and agencies including the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Science Foundation, National Mental Health Association, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Phil M. Hardin Foundation, Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, Kettering Foundation, and Mississippi Humanities Council to fund various Society programs and initiatives.

The Center for Excellence

In 1996, The State of Mississippi, in an unprecedented move, conveyed to Phi Theta Kappa 5.5 acres of land located on the grounds of Mississippi's Education and Research Center in Jackson, Mississippi, for construction of the Center for Excellence, Phi Theta Kappa's Headquarters facility.

The Headquarters building is of Jeffersonian design and occupies 25,000 square feet. Construction costs were $3.3 million. The two-story facility houses office suites, conference rooms, library, reception room, boardroom and kitchen. A focal point of the facility is the octagonal rotunda, reflecting the rotunda design found at Jefferson's Virginia home, Monticello. A brick courtyard flanks the building. Dedication ceremonies for the Center for Excellence were held October 18, 1997.

Phi Theta Kappa Foundation

To ensure that Phi Theta Kappa will have the necessary resources to continue to provide quality programs and innovative services and keep membership costs as low as possible, the Board of Directors established the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation. Governed by the Board, the Foundation provides members, alumni and friends the opportunity to invest in the Society.

Find out more about the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation.