Scholarship. Leadership. Service. Fellowship.

PTK

The mission of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize the academic achievement of college students and to provide opportunities for them to grow as scholars and leaders. Alpha Omicron Iota is the local chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Mott Community College. It was founded on April 10, 1989 by Dr. Gail Knapp.

When you join Phi Theta Kappa, you’re joining a network of more than 3.8 million members around the world.

You can be confident in your choice to become a member — the American Association of Community Colleges has named Phi Theta Kappa the official honor society for two-year colleges. PTK is the only such honor society with this distinction.

There are no recurring fees or annual dues; simply pay the one-time membership fee, and you can access your PTK benefits for life: self-paced professional development and leadership courses; PTK Connect, a powerful college transfer and scholarship-finder tool that helps you choose the perfect match for the next step in your higher education journey, member savings, FAFSA Mentor, leadership opportunities, and so much more.

Benefits of becoming a member include:

  • Access to $2 million in scholarships to help you complete your degree and up to $246 million in transfer scholarships offered by over 800 four-year colleges and universities across the country
  • Recognition including Golden Key membership pin, certificate, and induction ceremony as well as graduation regalia, golden diploma seal, transcript notation, and walking first at Commencement
  • Transfer prep, career training, professional development through PTK EDGE and the nationally recognized Leadership Development Studies curriculum
  • Publishing and research opportunities
  • Member discounts and offers

Who is Eligible?

Students taking a break and conversing on a bench on main campus

To be eligible for PTK membership you must:

  • Be enrolled in classes at Mott Community College
  • Have completed at least 12 hours of coursework toward an associate’s degree or at least 6 hours of coursework toward a certificate
  • Have a cumulative 3.5 grade point average

Once you’re eligible, you’ll receive an invitation by email and/or by mail to join. If you think you may be eligible for membership but haven’t received an invitation, please reach out to the Coordinator for Scholar Programs, Jessica Bixel, at jessica.bixel@mcc.edu or (810) 762-5111.

How to Apply

If you’ve received your invitation and are ready to join, get started below.

Join PTK Now

There is a one-time fee of $90.00 to join, which covers all international, regional, and local fees – there are no annual dues, and you never have to renew your membership.

All-state academic award certificate and medallion

Concerned about the cost? The Golden Opportunity Fee Waiver is Phi Theta Kappa’s membership scholarship which waives the international membership fee of $60 thanks to the generosity of Phi Theta Kappa advisors, members, alumni, donors and friends. Advisors may submit up to 3 student nominations per chapter for consideration, and part‐time, full‐time, and international students are all eligible for nomination. Please note: A Golden Opportunity Nomination does not guarantee a student’s selection as an awardee.

If you think you may be eligible for membership but haven’t received an invitation, or are interested in being nominated for the Golden Opportunity Scholarship, please reach out to the Coordinator for Scholar Programs, Jessica Bixel, at jessica.bixel@mcc.edu or (810) 762-5111.

"Our members span ages, ethnicities, income levels, majors, and career goals. They are parents, veterans, first-generation college students, online learners, and GED recipients. They’ve been homeschooled. They’ve been homeless. They’re still in high school. They’re the oldest students in the classroom. They’re returning to college for yet another certificate or degree. We even offer membership to incarcerated students who are seeking a second chance in life – Phi Theta Kappa doesn't hinder anyone from that."

The average GPA of a PTK member is 3.78. The average age is 29. The Top 5 majors are Pre-Nursing Studies, Business Management, and Marketing, Public Health, Liberal Arts and Sciences/General Studies, and Education.

Picture a college student, and you’ll be picturing a PTK member.” Erin Cogswell

The time you devote to Phi Theta Kappa is a matter of choice. We offer opportunities for all levels of involvement from Chapter Officer roles to come-as-you-are social events and volunteer opportunities – membership is what you make of it, and the return on your investment is up to you.

#IAMPTK

The tenets and key values of the Honor Society:

Scholarship
- studying and sharing scholarly activities with others
Leadership
- taking leadership roles and developing leadership skills
Service
- participating in service learning
Fellowship
- collaborating with our members, college, and community

Your member benefits begin immediately, and your member packet will arrive within 4-6 weeks and includes:

  • Official Certificate of Membership
  • Membership Key Pin
  • Gold Graduation Tassel
  • Welcome card for next steps

If you need to verify your membership right away, you will be able to access a PDF copy of your membership certificate in your PTK portal. Just log in and you will see the links on the student dashboard.

Become an officer

Every Phi Theta Kappa member has the opportunity to take on an officer position for their campus chapter. As an officer, you will get exclusive benefits such as discounts at the PTK store, scholarships, free regalia, and more.

“Serving as the President of Phi Theta Kappa was not only a privilege but an honor. Our board members worked as one to get tasks accomplished during a time of transition and change…The skills I learned to be a better leader, work as a team, and inspire others can be directly traced back to my position within Phi Theta Kappa.”

- Jennifer Cronkright, President (2022-2023)

“Becoming an officer on the Phi Theta Kappa board significantly added to my resume not only important professional experience but experiences I am passionate to talk about. Not only have I been able to lead events such as the Retro Bash but I also got the opportunity to attend PTK Catalyst in Orlando, Florida.”

- Gabe Gill, VP of Public Relations (2023-2024)

The Chapter Officers work together to improve the student experience on campus by conducting research, hosting events, and attending conferences.

students working on a shared project

Leadership Development:

Gain valuable leadership skills by organizing events, leading meetings, and collaborating with fellow officers.

Networking Opportunities:

Connect with other PTK members, advisors, and professionals in your field of interest.

PTK students sitting at informational table speaking to a woman
Honor student walking across a rope/ladder bridge

Personal Growth:

Develop confidence, communication skills, and teamwork abilities that will benefit you both academically and professionally.

Resume Building:

Enhance your resume with experiences that stand out to future employers and transfer institutions.

Student sitting behind a PTK information table in Curtice-Mott Complex
group of students at PTK Catalyst event

Conference Attendance and Traveling:

As a PTK officer you will have the exclusive opportunity to travel to conferences across the state and the country. PTK Catalyst is Phi Theta Kappa’s premier annual event, bringing together members, advisors, and their supporters for professional development and celebration of the accomplishments of our community.

Scholarships:

Access exclusive scholarships and awards for your work as on Chapter Officer.

MCC student showing off commencement regalia
Coordinator for Scholar Programs:
Jessica Bixel
Phone: (810) 762-5111
Email: jessica.bixel@mcc.edu

Advisor:
Jennifer Cronkright
Phone: (810)-232-2749
Email: jennifer.cronkright@mcc.edu

Our campus chapter was established by Dr. Gail Knapp in 1989. Since then staff and faculty leadership of PTK has been under the direction of:

  • Dr. Gail Knapp
  • Brenda Zicha
  • Krista Black
  • Christine Stoliecki
  • Robert Pieschke
  • Kim Giacchina
  • Dr. Brian Ivory
  • Alyshia Turner
  • Dawn Vanniman
  • Dr. Joshua Sauvie