PTK Catalyst International Convention- Columbus, Ohio (Spring 2023)

Phi Theta Kappa- Alpha Theta Delta

General Information

Membership with Pride!

Introduction to Phi Theta Kappa
For students who qualify scholastically, enjoy good fellowship, appreciate the value of leadership and are committed to service, Phi Theta Kappa is a treasured ticket to success.
When you visit the Phi Theta Kappa website (www.ptk.org), you will see much of the vitality and flavor of the organization. Recapture the energy and excitement of Phi Theta Kappa’s International Convention! Video highlights of three action-packed days – more highlights than ever before. Take a look for yourself at events, scholarship opportunities, chapter news, programs and services available to members. If you want to sample the offerings but are not a member, you can check out the website and, when required, sign in as a guest.

Eligibility
To be eligible for membership:
•You must be enrolled in an accredited institution offering an associate degree program.
•You must have completed at least 12 hours of coursework that may be applied to an associate degree (part-time students may be eligible).*
•You must have a grade point average of 3.5.
•You must receive an invitation to membership from the chapter at the college where presently enrolled.
•You must adhere to the moral standards of the society.
What are the benefits of joining?
•Membership recognizes your academic success
•Phi Theta Kappa Golden Key Membership Pin
•Phi Theta Kappa Membership Certificate and ID Card
•Recognition during college induction ceremony
•Official seal of Phi Theta Kappa placed on your college diploma*
•Notation of membership on your college transcript*
•Recognition by wearing Phi Theta Kappa commencement regalia during college graduation and other official ceremonies*
•Membership empowers you with a competitive edge
•$37 million in scholarship opportunities for members only
•FREE enrollment in PTK Connect, a transfer and college completion planning tool
•Opportunity to be published in Phi Theta Kappa’s anthology, Nota Bene
•Opportunities to develop research and servant leadership skills by participating in Honors in Action programming in local chapter
•Opportunity to become part of a network of nearly 3 million fellow scholars and servant leaders on more than 1,285 campuses worldwide
•Personalized letters of recommendation for scholarships and employment
•Special benefits, financial offers, and member discount offers from Phi Theta Kappa Corporate Partners such as GEICO and Bank of America
* Contingent on college policy.

Transfer Scholarships
More than $37 million in transfer scholarship opportunities available to members.
Scholarships are administered by each senior institution. For details visit PTK Connect.

Dues
There is a one-time membership fee. For CAC students, the total is $70, which includes regional and national dues.

You can find information regarding our chapter on our website at: www.centralaz.edu/ptk or at www.ptk.org. Or, feel free to contact one of our advisors with questions.

Alpha Theta Delta Officers

Hallmarks

Hallmark #1: Scholarship
Potential Financial Benefits:

•Up to $90 million in scholarships to help you complete your associate, bachelor’s,
even master’s degrees
• Awards specifically for career-bound students, including some field-specific
• opportunities that cover the cost of certification exam fees

Academic Benefits:
• Opportunity to work on the Honors-in-Action Project (HIA)
• Attending Academic Presentations/Discussions, Trips to museums, exhibits, and other academic-oriented activities.

Phi Theta Kappa provides multiple leadership opportunities for students through
officer positions, offering students a chance to use their talents and to hone their

Hallmark #2: Leadership
Phi Theta Kappa provides multiple leadership opportunities for students through
officer positions, offering students a chance to use their talents and to hone their leadership skills.

Benefits of leadership opportunities:
• Leadership and service experiences that will boost your resume, making you more
• competitive for both PTK and non-PTK scholarships
• Officers tend to earn more scholarships
• Awards/Recognition

Hallmark #3: Fellowship
Fellowship in PTK means connecting with others and having fun, and FUN is inherent
in all of the activities, projects, and events we participate in through our Alpha Theta
Delta Chapter.

These events can include:
• Game nights (virtual and in-person)
• Scavenger Hunts
• Froyo with Friends
• 5K races
• Bowling
• Museum outings
• Ropes courses
• Pizza parties (and other food-related events)
• Theater performances
and the list goes on and on!

Hallmark #4: Service
Some examples of service projects:

• Hosted a food drive to restock the food pantries located on our college campuses
• Hosted a food drive for Pinal County residents at the height of the pandemic
• Giving Tree Event supporting local children in need during the holiday season
• Operation Gratitude to express thanks to our veteran and military service members
• Highway clean-up
• Blood drives
• Clothing drives

And the list goes on!

ALL Arizona/ALL USA

All-Arizona / All-USA Academic Teams

What it Means to be a Team Member
Each year students from the district are selected to represent CAC on the All-Arizona / All-USA Academic Team. Those students earn state-wide acclaim in the media and attend a celebratory luncheon that is also attended by many CAC dignitaries. In some years, a CAC student has even been spotlighted for international recognition. These are the special awardees that you might have seen pictured in USA Today. But they are not the only winners. Application materials will become available on the Phi Theta Kappa website in October.

Every Arizona student on any of the All-Arizona/All-USA Academic Team is awarded a two-year scholarship to the student’s choice of one of our three state universities. ASU, UofA, and NAU are very pleased to welcome these academic stars to their campus. In addition, all five CAC awardees receive a cash scholarship as well.
Benefits and Process

Because the pay-off is so substantial, the competition is keen. Each applicant must complete an application package, which typically includes demographic data, GPA, essays on a designated topics, and letters of recommendation, as well as whatever else the national committee has designated as competition requirements. Sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa, the American Association of Community Colleges and USA Today, the All-USA Team’s national committee also establishes guidelines for criteria by which applications will be evaluated.

Although applicants are not required to be members of Phi Theta Kappa, CAC designates the Phi Theta Kappa Advisor(s) at each campus to coordinate the application process, and the Honors Director selects a team to evaluate the applications. Students at all five campuses have the same deadlines and the same written requirements.
The application requirements are somewhat different each year. In addition to achieving well academically, selected applicants have contributed to their community and are able to express themselves well. Involvement in the Honors Program and PTK help develop these skills.

Completing a scholarship application package is not an easy process. It takes time and skill. That skill is developed by students during the process, usually with the help of the Phi Theta Kappa Advisor and other supportive campus staff. For many students it is the first time they have applied for a large scholarship. Students learn so much from the application process that it could be said that everyone is a winner. Those who applied, but were not selected are much better prepared to submit successful scholarship applications in the future.

For specific information about requirements and timeline, see your Phi Theta Kappa Advisor or Michelle Gomez, Honors Academic Division Assistant, 520-494-5380, honors.education@centralaz.edu.

2023 – 2024 ALL Arizona Winners

ALL AZ Winners 2024

Teresa Smith, Sonja Elstad, Lillian Medrano, Tiffany McClellan
Martha Meraz and Maritza Lopez

Congratulations to all!

Meetings/Workshops/Announcements

Fall 2024 PTK Meeting Dates
Guest Link for all Meetings: https://tinyurl.com/ptkcac

September Information sessions
Virtual : 9/11/24 at 1:30 pm using this link: https://tinyurl.com/ptkcac

In person: Thurs 9/12^th at 3 pm
Signal Peak Campus: T201
San Tan Campus: D105
Superstition Mountain Campus: F129
Maricopa Campus: B115

The meetings below are held in Blackboard Collaborate.
https://tinyurl.com/ptkcac

• September District meetings: 9/12, 9/26 4:00-5:00
• September HIA meeting: 9/5, 4:00-5:00
• September CP meeting: 9/19, 3:00-4:00
• October District meetings: 10/10, 10/24 4:00-5:00
• October HIA meeting: 10/17, 4:00-5:00
• October CP meeting: 10/3, 4:00-5:00
• November District meetings: 11/14, 11/21, 4:00-5:00
• End of 2024 write-ups: 12/10, 10:00-2:00, SPC

Contact an advisor to be added to PTK Blackboard and to receive emails regarding upcoming events/meetings.

NOTE: Our Fall 2024 induction has been scheduled for Thursday, November 7th at 6 pm.

Resources

Lifeline
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
1-800-273-8255

Corazon Behavioral Health Services
520-836-4278 or 520-836-1786
900 E. Florence Blvd. Casa Grande AZ, 85122
www.chaposcorazon.com/

Guide to Suicide Awareness and Prevention –
https://www.onlinecolleges.me/resources/suicide-prevention-and-awareness/

Against Abuse
119 N Florence St
Casa Grande, AZ 85122
(520) 836-1239 or (520) 836-0858
www.against-abuse.org

CAC Food Pantries
Food pantries are located at each campus Library and are available to everyone in need. Donations are also greatly appreciated. Popular items include grab and go foods, such as granola bars, pop tarts, trail mix, etc.

Student Accessibility Services
https://centralaz.edu/disability.resources

Student Support
https://centralaz.edu/current-students/student-support/

Phi Theta Kappa- Lead Faculty
Dr. Sandy Rath- sandra.rath@centralaz.edu

Phi Theta Kappa Academic Division Assistant
Michelle Gomez, 520-494-5380, honors.education@centralaz.edu

Phi Theta Kappa Advisors
Aravaipa/San Tan/Maricopa: Dr. Sandy Rath, sandra.rath@centralaz.edu
Maricopa: Cassandra Holcombe, cassandra.holcombe@centralaz.edu
Signal Peak: Heather Moulton, heather.moulton@centralaz.edu
Superstition Mountain: Dr. Joe Faykosh, joe.faykosh@centralaz.edu

Connect with us on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PTKatCAC
Instagram: ptk@cac