News

Southeast Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter on the Lincoln campus was recognized as the most improved chapter at the PTK regional conference in Kansas City in February.

Phi Theta Kappa is an international honor society that recognizes community college students for outstanding academics. Students in the program participate in service and research projects to build community and share the values of the society.

“Phi Theta Kappa provides students with real-life research and academic skills,” said Brenda Sanchez, an English instructor and advisor for the chapter. “It gives students the chance to lead a group, share ideas and volunteer their time.”

Sanchez has been the advisor for the Alpha Pi Lambda chapter since August, and was an advisor for PTK at her previous institution for five years. She said that it started with induction, where she hosted a food drive to support the SCC food pantry. Then she held an informational meeting, where students learned how they could be more involved.

“After I went to the informational meeting, I wanted to get more involved in the program,” said Tyler Tran, chapter vice president. “I found an opportunity to build a community and make a difference.”

The award, which recognizes the chapter in the region that improved most in the four hallmarks that PTK builds on—fellowship, leadership, scholarship, and service—was given to SCC for the first time, after more than 30 members were inducted in 2025 and the chapter named its first executive board.

“We put in a lot of effort,” said Aubrey Wyatt, chapter fellowship officer. “Like last semester, we didn't really know what we were doing, but then we wanted to start taking the reins and actually lead. That was really important to us, since it's a student organization.”

At the regional conference, SCC students met students from other chapters, learned about leadership and the society, and attended a college fair, where they learned about colleges in Kansas and Missouri and transfer scholarship opportunities.

“A lot of the other chapters were impressive,” Eden Enevoldson, chapter public relations chair, said. “I think it really inspired us. There were some chapters that had a full table of awards, and we want to be the chapter next year that has done all these amazing things.”

The food drive conducted at induction also received an honorable mention in the service project category.

“We had PTK at my previous institution, so I knew what to expect,” Sanchez said. “It was so fun seeing the students take initiative. I knew taking them to the regional conference would light a fire in them.”

Damon Bennett
Activities Information Director
402-437-2077
dbennett@southeast.edu