News Article

NORTH EAST, Md: The Alpha Alpha Theta (AAT) chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) at Cecil College has reached an exciting milestone, earning the highly coveted Five-Star status. This is the highest honor a chapter can receive and provides the organization with local, regional, and international recognition. This achievement marks a significant step forward for the chapter, which has consistently been a three-star chapter in previous years. It underscores the dedication and hard work of its members and leadership.

PTK awards stars each year based on five key areas of achievement: Reach, Engage, Network, Lead, and Discover. By excelling in each of these categories, the Alpha Alpha Theta Chapter demonstrated its commitment to fostering academic excellence, contributing meaningfully to the community, and enhancing student engagement.

The key accomplishment that helped the chapter achieve Five-Star status was creating a public-facing webpage. Before this initiative, the chapter lacked an easily accessible online presence, making it difficult for prospective members to learn about PTK or the benefits of joining. Housed on Cecil College’s website, the PTK page can be accessed at www.cecil.edu/ptk, providing potential members with detailed information about eligibility, the induction process, membership benefits, and more. 

“It is with immense pride and joy that I congratulate the Alpha Alpha Theta (AAT) chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) for earning the distinguished Five-Star status – the highest honor a chapter can achieve. This outstanding accomplishment speaks to the unwavering commitment, passion, and leadership that our PTK members consistently demonstrate, setting a new standard of excellence within our College community,” said Cecil College President Dr. Mary Way Bolt.

This effort was spearheaded by AAT Chapter advisor and Coordinator of Student Engagement Kelsey Jakubac and the chapter’s executive board. 

“The main focus this year has been increasing student engagement, and the new webpage has definitely increased interest in the honor society. We have been working with academic programs to spread the word about PTK,” said Ms. Jakubac.

The two additional AAT advisory board members are Director of Student Life Cheryl Davis-Robinson and Associate Professor of Biology Melissa Burke. 

The fifth and final Discover Star was earned through the chapter’s Honors in Action project, a community-focused initiative that proved heartwarming. The chapter’s “Angel Tree Initiative” aimed to help Cecil College students in need during the holiday season. The project included a physical tree decorated with Angel wings and blue and gold PTK ornaments, symbolizing the society’s values.

“I’m really excited for the chapter and to see all the growth that Phi Theta Kappa and the Alpha Alpha Theta have experienced. I think we have a great student body who is helpful and wants to be engaged,” said Associate Professor Burke. The Cecil College community responded generously, with faculty, staff, and students contributing to the effort. “We hope to grow the Angel Tree Project in the coming years. We’d love to place more trees around campus and expand our reach.”

The chapter has continued to excel in the Engage and Network categories. Regular meetings between chapter officers and advisors ensure that everyone is well-prepared for leadership roles, and advisors completed the necessary EDGE workshops designed to keep them informed about PTK’s evolving leadership standards and best practices.

AAT’s Reach Star focuses on growing the chapter by inviting new members. The advisory board is working with the College’s IT team to identify eligible students, ensuring that all students who meet the criteria – at least 12 credits and a GPA of 3.5 or higher – are invited to become part of the chapter. With new members registering for the upcoming induction ceremony in February, the chapter continues to grow its influence on campus. 

“Now that the chapter has earned its Five-Star status, our members are hopeful for an even greater success. The webpage and the Angel Tree initiative are just the beginning. The chapter is looking to enhance alumni engagement and develop more campus-wide initiatives to connect with students,” said Associate Professor Burke. “Our goal is to continue building on what we’ve achieved this year. We want to make Phi Theta Kappa a known name on campus and continue offering our members valuable experiences and opportunities.”

Students interested in joining Phi Theta Kappa at Cecil College are encouraged to visit the newly launched PTK webpage for information on eligibility, benefits, and how to get involved. The next induction ceremony will take place on February 12 at 3 p.m., in Room 208 of the Technology Center on the North East Campus.