April 16, 2024 – Members of Santa Fe College’s Phi Theta Kappa honors society celebrated one of their biggest years on record at PTK Catalyst 2024, the Society’s annual convention held in Orlando in early April.
The Chapter earned its international 5-star rating for the second year in a row, and marked the first time in College history that the Chapter went back-to-back. Further, it was only the fourth 5-star rating in school history.
Five-star designation recognizes local chapters with the highest level of success in campus and community engagement activities through the course of one academic year. PTK is the largest honor society in higher education, serving nearly 1,300 community and state colleges in all 50 states and nine countries.
It also earned two other chapter honors: Distinguished Chapter Award and Distinguished College Project Award, the most honors the SF Chapter has ever earned in one conference. Finally, College President Dr. Paul Broadie II received the Paragon Award for New Presidents; he was nominated by SF’s Chapter.
“This year was a monumental honor,” said PTK Advisor David Durkee. “It speaks volumes of the work ethic of the Chapter as a whole, and especially that of Chapter President Mikayla Stesney and Executive Vice President Makaila Herring.”
Stesney also was named to the PTK Florida All-Academic Team, along with Oicenth Josephs and Nikolas Latorre, who also earned The Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholarship.
“It was an honor and a great opportunity to represent the Alpha Zeta Phi chapter and Santa Fe College at PTK Catalyst 2024 in Orlando, Florida,” Stesney said. “This is my second Catalyst and by far my most impactful. This year, under my leadership as President of the Alpha Zeta Phi chapter, we received multiple accolades for our dedication to research and development of our college and local community.”
The Distinguished Chapter Award is based on the scores received on the College Project and Honors in Action research projects. SF improved from #6 in the state to #5. The Chapter helped create the Honors Ambassador Program at SF. Claudia Gomez Parra, the College Project Chair, and Stesney worked many hours in focusing the topic for the Chapter’s participation.
The Chapter also won a seat for a Regional officer; the seat will be held by SF student Paula Sanchez, who was recently elected VP of Scholarship for the SF Chapter. Chapters compete by performing a skit that encompasses the theme of the office. SF’s skit was created and orchestrated by incoming Chapter Executive Vice President Malak Qumseya. Chapter President-Elect Josiah Caballero was instrumental in the skit’s success.
Alfredo Feng, Vice President of Fellowship, and Daniil Poboroznik, Treasurer Elect, made sure that the Chapter members made the most of their time at the Gaylord Palms by holding exploratory and social events between sessions.
“These amazing students are highly engaged and committed to academic excellence,” Broadie said. “Under the leadership of David Durkee, these students have raised the bar, and encouraged each other to pursue their academic goals. I commend them for their focus and commitment, and I am honored to work with and support our outstanding students.”