Phi Theta Kappa Chapter Reaches Five Star Level for Second Consecutive Year
February 21, 2024
Hudson Valley Community College’s Alpha Sigma chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) has earned recognition as a Five Star Chapter for the second year in a row. Five-star designation recognizes local chapters with the highest level of success in campus and community engagement activities throughout the course of one academic year.
PTK is the largest honor society in higher education, serving nearly 1,300 community colleges in all 50 states and nine countries. It recognizes academic excellence and provides growth opportunities for college students including community service initiatives and professional development courses. Members must maintain a 3.5 grade point average and have access to numerous events, scholarships and resources through the organization.
PTK outlines 10 essentials to creating an engaged chapter and organizes them into themed categories, or “stars,” defined as the Reach, Engage, Network, Lead and Discover. Stars are earned by a chapter upon successful completion of special initiatives ranging from recruitment and elections to participation in regional activities and events.
In 2023, Hudson Valley’s chapter engaged in a wide array of community service activities. PTK students and advisors served as volunteers to support organizations such as the Northeastern Regional Food Bank, the South End Children’s Café, Jezreel International, the Albany International Center and Dual Language Program School.
The chapter also helped upgrade a special room at a local charter school for girls to enhance mental health and wellness of its students. The college’s PTK chapter provided special furniture, custom ink pens and stress relief tools aimed at boosting students’ academic and social potential.
In addition to their volunteer work, PTK members also participated in regional activities and events such as the PTK Scholar Dash 5K where money was raised to fund scholarships and the PTK New York Region Summer Bootcamp where peers from chapters all over New York State highlighted the benefits of PTK membership, including specific service, fellowship and scholarship opportunities.
“The college’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter continues have a major impact and take on meaningful projects for the good of our community and to the benefit of our students who gain new learning and leadership opportunities,” President Roger Ramsammy said. “Being designated as a Five-Star chapter recognizes months of planning, hard work and execution of an array of projects and goals that ours students and their advisors have set, and I am proud of their accomplishments and congratulate them on this remarkable achievement.”
The college’s Alpha Xi Sigma chapter is one of the most active in the SUNY community college system with multiple members honored with achievements in recent years such as being named to the Phi Theta Kappa All-New York Academic Team as well as named recipients of the State University of New York’s Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence.