CONCORD – NHTI’s Alpha Upsilon Omicron Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society (PTK) was recently recognized as a 5-Star Chapter. In the United States there are 1,275 chapters. NHTI’s chapter is one of 53 that make up all of the chapters in the New England region. Of the 53 New England chapters, 16 achieved five-star status. NHTI is the only college in New Hampshire currently recognized for this level of achievement. Each level has specific requirements; in order to be recognized with the highest of five stars, an Honors in Action project must be completed to address real-world challenges in our communities.
The PTK students’ Honors in Action project aligned perfectly with some of the nation’s most vexing issues: diversity, equity, and inclusion. NHTI’s PTK students researched inclusion in student organizations and clubs at colleges and found there was little to no evidence in terms of recognizing whether or not student clubs are as diverse as their student body, students in academic majors, or honor societies. Chapter leaders, Michele Kenney, Shoghy Ngoy, Connor Safstrom, and Jasmine White Taylor used a guiding question in their research for this project which they attribute to Dr. Dottie Morris of Keene State College, who recently presented a diversity symposium to the CCSNH colleges. She advises to always ask, “Who is missing from the table?” With this as their lens, they created a survey for the entire NHTI student body, essentially inviting everyone to the table and thus, the conversation. Using the survey results will be key in moving the NHTI student clubs toward greater diversity and inclusivity.
Trisha Dionne, PTK chapter advisor, stated, “The students of NHTI’s PTK Chapter never cease to amaze me. Before the pandemic grounded us, the students of NHTI’s PTK Chapter painted the underside of the Route 393 overpass that separates our campus from Fort Eddy Road, hosted a Friendsgiving meal for the entire campus, and established a scholarship. Even the pandemic did not stop this prestigious group of students. They hosted the longest Zoom meetings to look at ways to ensure inclusivity, not just in their own club, but in and with all of the student clubs and organizations at NHTI. I am inspired by their dedication, goodwill, and positive energy.”
Established in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa has a presence on almost 1,300 community college campuses in 11 nations. The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two-year colleges in 1929. In 2020, NHTI welcomed 71 high-achieving students to the Alpha Upsilon Omicron Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. The NHTI Chapter is planning an induction ceremony for April. For more information about PTK at NHTI, contact Trisha Dionne, chapter advisor, at [email protected]
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NHTI – Concord’s Community College
NHTI is a dynamic public institution of higher learning that provides accessible, rigorous education for students, businesses, and the community. We create pathways for lifelong learning, career advancement, and civic engagement, offering 90+ academic programs to 4,600+ students annually. NHTI is a member of the Community College System of New Hampshire and since 1969 has been accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, a nongovernmental, nationally recognized accrediting agency.
Press Contact Amy Proctor | 603-230-4001 | [email protected] | www.NHTI.edu
