AAT students in graduation regalia.

Alpha Alpha Theta (AAT) is Cecil College’s Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), an International Honor Society of two-year colleges.


What is Phi Theta Kappa?

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) recognizes academic achievement among two-year college students and provides opportunities for its members to grow as scholars and leaders.

Benefits of Joining Phi Theta Kappa

Scholarships

  • Scholarships to help you complete your associate, bachelor’s, and even master’s degrees.
  • Emergency Scholarships are available year-round to assist with overcoming unanticipated financial barriers.

Career Training

  • Discover professional skills employers seek through exclusive online Competitive Edge program.
  • Navigate the job market with one-of-a-kind Employment Edge training courses.
  • Request personalized letters of recommendation for job applications.

Transfer Success

Utilize the free online search tool, PTK Connect, to assist you in searching for four-year colleges and universities that are transfer friendly and to view the scholarships they offer to community college students—including those exclusively for PTK members.

Recognition

  • Phi Theta Kappa Golden Membership Pin
  • Phi Theta Kappa Membership Certificate
  • Recognition during the Chapter Induction Ceremony
  • Wear Phi Theta Kappa Graduation Regalia
  • Campus Press Releases highlighting academic achievement

Special Discounts and Offers

  • Dell
  • Enterprise and National
  • GlobalFit
  • Hurts Review Services
  • Lenovo
  • BetterHelp Therapy
  • StudyBuddy
  • And more!

Join Phi Theta Kappa

Eligibility

To be invited to join Phi Theta Kappa, students must:

  • Be enrolled at Cecil College.
  • Have completed at least 12 college-level credits toward an associate or bachelor's degree or at least 6 hours of coursework toward a 1-year certificate program.
  • Obtain a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA.

Provisional Membership (Eligible Members)

Are you a high-achieving student anticipating an invitation to join Phi Theta Kappa? If so, take advantage of our provisional membership and get involved with the chapter today! Provisional membership is available to students expected to meet eligibility requirements in the upcoming semester. As a provisional member, you can attend bi-monthly meetings and participate in chapter activities. However, provisional members are not allowed to serve as chapter officers or vote on official chapter business.

Invitation for Membership

Invitations to join Phi Theta Kappa are sent electronically to students who meet the eligibility criteria through their Cecil College email addresses from the PTK national headquarters. If a student receives an invitation, they have one semester to accept membership. Students who do not accept membership into the honor society will continue to receive invitations to join in future semesters if they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.

Accept Membership

Students invited to join Phi Theta Kappa must accept membership into the society via the Phi Theta Kappa International website with the access code provided in their invitation email. To accept membership, students must pay a one-time fee of $80.00 and complete membership registration before the stated deadline in their invitation email. Students who are unable to pay the one-time fee due to financial constraints should contact the Student Life Office at studentlife@nullcecil.edu. Financial options and other funding assistance for joining the honor society will be discussed.

I’m a New Member of Alpha Alpha Theta: Now What?

Get involved and make the most of your membership!

Monthly Chapter Meetings

All eligible members, current chapter members, and non-members are invited to join us for the monthly PTK-AAT Chapter Meetings. Meetings occur during the fall and spring semesters, providing a valuable opportunity to connect, collaborate, and stay informed about our chapter's initiatives and activities. Whether you're already a member or interested in learning more about Phi Theta Kappa, we welcome your participation and contribution. Mark your calendars and join us as we come together to promote academic excellence and community engagement!

Chapter Induction Ceremony

Cecil College Induction Ceremony occurs every spring. This event honors you and is the perfect way to meet other members, many of whom are new, just like you!

Chapter Leadership

Three student officers make up the chapter executive board. Positions include Chapter President, Vice President, and Recording Officer. Students interested in serving as a chapter officer can reach out to Chapter Advisors: Kelsey Jakubac at kjakubac@nullcecil.edu or Melissa Burke at mburke@nullcecil.edu.

Community Involvement

Get involved locally and make a difference in Cecil County and surrounding areas! Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community, meet new people, and develop valuable skills. Explore Volunteer Cecil to discover a wide range of community service opportunities, events, and ways to get involved.

Monthly Newsletter

Stay connected and informed with PTK-AAT! Be sure to check your Cecil College email regularly for our monthly newsletters. These newsletters are filled with important information on chapter news, upcoming events, scholarship deadlines, and much more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Phi Theta Kappa?

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) recognizes the academic achievement of college students and provides opportunities for its members to grow as scholars and leaders. 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. More than 3.8 million students have been inducted since 1918, with approximately 250,000 active members in the nation’s community colleges, making Phi Theta Kappa a true catalyst among members and colleges.

What is the name of Cecil College’s Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa?

Cecil College’s Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is Alpha Alpha Theta (AAT).

How much time is required to be a member?

Phi Theta Kappa membership is what you make of it. The more you put in, the more you get out of it. Your best experience will come from engaging in the benefits PTK-AAT offers; however, we don’t require participation.

Note: If you have already been invited and received your passcode, you can accept membership at join.ptk.org.

How much does the membership cost?

Phi Theta Kappa’s international membership fee is $80 and is paid only once and guarantees your PTK membership for a lifetime.

I can’t afford the membership fee before the deadline. What are my options?

Students who are unable to pay the one-time fee due to financial constraints should contact the Student Life Office at studentlife@nullcecil.edu. Financial options and other funding assistance for joining the honor society will be discussed.

What is the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society website address?

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society can be found at www.ptk.org.

What is the Phi Theta Kappa graduation attire?

Chapter members are eligible to wear the PTK cord, stole, and tassel. Members will receive a PTK tassel in their welcome packet. Additionally, members of Cecil College's Alpha Alpha Theta Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society will be provided with a complimentary cord and stole for the graduation ceremony.

Is my Phi Theta Kappa membership transferrable to other Colleges?

Yes, your Phi Theta Kappa membership is transferrable to other colleges. Contact your current PTK advisor to verify that you meet the requirements of the new chapter. If you do, the advisor can request headquarters to transfer your membership.

Does my Phi Theta Kappa membership expire?

No. Once inducted, you are a member for life! Phi Theta Kappa members are considered alumni when they leave the chapter in good standing through graduation, transfer, or other means.

What colleges and universities offer Phi Theta Kappa scholarships?

You can use the PTK Scholarship Map or PTK Connect to search more than 850 four-year colleges and universities across the country that offer a combined $246 million in PTK member-exclusive scholarship opportunities!

Meet the Chapter Advisors

Cheryl Davis-Robinson, Advisor Liaison
Director of Student Life
cadavis@nullcecil.edu
(443) 674-1988

Kelsey Jakubac, Chapter Advisor
Coordinator of Student Engagement
kjakubac@nullcecil.edu
(443)-674-1989

Melissa Burke, Faculty Chapter Advisor
Associate Professor I, Biology
mburke@nullcecil.edu
(443)-674-1478