De Anza College’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa won honors and a five-star chapter rating at their annual conference held April 14-15 in Nashville, Tenn.
The Distinguished College Project award was given for the chapter’s Peers Unite To Learn Through Scholarly Exchange program. This award is only given to 25 chapters in the U.S.
“PULSE is a peer mentoring program,” Phi Theta Kappa VP of Membership and PULSE Co-coordinator Christine Yu said.
De Anza College’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter was also acknowledged at the conference as one of the top 100 chapters in the nation. There are currently 1200 chapters of Phi Theta Kappa nationwide.
“Our mentors are not tutors, they basically are here to help increase college retention rates,” she added. Through PULSE “we are encouraging [students] to get involved in activities, student government, ICC, clubs, and other student organizations because when you get involved, you feel more closely tied to your school.”
Phi Theta Kappa officers took time away from their studies and worked through the holidays on projects to ensure they were completed in time to be eligible for the awards received.
Chapter ratings are based on meeting specific requirements like completing a College Project such as PULSE.
De Anza’s chapter hopes the recent attention will bring more interest to Phi Theta Kappa.
“If you are a really good student and you get an invitation and you plan to transfer, it is a really good opportunity because there are a lot of connections like special scholarships that are only offered to Phi Theta Kappa members,” President of the Alpha Sigma Alpha chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Bia Mattos Kneisley said.
Awards and educational benefits aside, Lowe believes the honor society offers character to its members as well.
“Phi Theta Kappa emphasizes not only academic excellence but community service. Community service extends beyond the school. It’s just a great way to promote community service because you realize it’s just beyond your education. It’s bigger than what you are.” Lowe said.
WINNERS – [left to right] Mehrdad Khosravi, Christine Yu, Bia Kneisley and Kristine Lowe stand with their award for their PUSLE mentor program. (AMI BRUCE | La Voz Weekly)
(Coutesy of PTK.org)
