The Vance-Granville Community College chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for students of two-year colleges, recently received a special commendation from the organization.
In a letter to VGCC President Stelfanie Williams, Dr. Rod Risley, executive director/CEO of Phi Theta Kappa, congratulated the “Alpha Sigma Chi” chapter on fulfilling all the requirements to be named a “One-Star Chapter,” as part of the “Five Star Chapter Development Plan.” The chapter was recognized at the society’s recent Annual Convention and is recognized on the society website at ptk.org. “The Five Star Chapter Development Plan serves as a blueprint for developing a strong chapter, improves student engagement on your campus, and recognizes progress in the attainment of goals set by the chapter,” Risley wrote. Using the Five Star Plan as a guide, chapters enhance their strategies to recognize eligible students, provide significant personal and professional development opportunities for members, and build a working relationship with the college administration by becoming active on campus and in the community. As chapters reach certain milestones, they progress through each level of the plan, ultimately reaching the pinnacle Five Star Level. According to Maureen Walters, a VGCC English instructor and chapter advisor, the Alpha Sigma Chi chapter is working toward completing its second “star” by the end of December 2013.
Instructors Julie MacDonald and Kristi Ellenberg also currently serve as advisors for the chapter.
Since VGCC’s chapter of PTK was first chartered in 1991, more than 1,000 students have been selected for induction. To be eligible, VGCC students must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.5 (3.75 for part-time students) in associate degree curriculum programs and have completed at least 12 credit hours toward their degrees. While scholarship is the first aim of PTK, the society also encourages fellowship, leadership development and service to others.