The Eta Nu chapter of St. Petersburg College‘s international honor society, Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), had a great year. The group just returned from Columbus, Ohio, where student members and their advisor attended the annual conference, Catalyst 2023, from April 19-23. SPC was well represented in Columbus, as Eta Nu, their advisors Jacob Wortock and Kelly Rich and members from Beta Theta Omega, Seminole’s PTK chapter, were all present.

Attendance at Catalyst 2023 was made possible through financial support from Gibbs’ Student Government Association (SGA).

The chapter’s traveling team included the club advisor, me, and the following student-members: Allie Cook (chapter president); Jeremy Phipps (vice-president of leadership); Ciara Cobarras (vice-president of fellowship); and Cheryl Christian-Grant (regular member). Sophia Trojanowski (vice president of service and scholarship) was unable to attend. Traveling members are usually selected based on their level of involvement in chapter activities or future potential for the chapter. Lastly, Dean Joseph Smiley, who was slated to receive an award in person, could not attend the ceremony because of prior commitments.

At Catalyst 2023, Eta Nu was formally recognized for two of the three awards it won this 2022-23 year: The Paragon Award for New Advisors (Dr. Ofoulhast-Othamot); Distinguished Chapter Officer (Eta Nu Chapter President Allison (Allie) Cook, and Distinguished College Administrator (Dean Joseph Smiley).

Enlightening educational forums and keynote speakers

Besides immersing themselves into various educational forums and college transfer fairs and networking with other students, SPC students had the opportunity to hear from the two keynote speakers, Geena Davis, Academy Award-Winning Actor, who is the founder and chair of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media; and Manti Te’o, NFL veteran and college All-American linebacker.

Davis’s journey resonated with students, as she spoke about her work around female empowerment and the fight against societal gender inequality through her Institute. The latter, which was founded in 2004, is the only global research-based organization working within the entertainment industry to create gender balance, foster inclusion and reduce negative stereotyping in family entertainment media.

Students appreciated the opportunity to attend the conference and hear from speakers.

A community focus

This 2022-23 academic year, Eta Nu student-members worked on several things to pursue their continued quest of academic excellence through community engagement.

First, the chapter partook in community work through its monthly beach cleanups at Upham Beach. Second, on October 28, 2022, Eta Nu held its fall induction ceremony at the Gibbs Music Center, where new members and their families were able to celebrate student achievements. Associate Provost Keron Jean-Baptiste welcomed inductees and their loved ones with an inspiring message. Third, Eta Nu attended PTK Florida’s regional conference in Boca Raton in March.

There, student-members had the opportunity to mingle with other Florida chapters and through numerous workshops, learn more about leadership, scholarship, service and fellowship – the society’s hallmarks. Finally, student-members developed bonds among themselves throughout the year with various fellowship events. They also volunteered at Localtopia 2023, St. Pete’s celebration of local businesses and organizations.

Like in year’s past, the two most important projects of the chapter included the College Project (CP) and Honors in Action (HIA). For its 2022-23 CP, the chapter partnered with Freedom Village and Goodwill to work with underserved groups. The HIA theme for this year aimed to see how the chapter might create STEM awareness for at-risk youth and how STEM project involvement might lead these youths toward pursuing their education at SPC or any other community/state college. The chapter worked with MYcroSchool in St. Petersburg. That organization assists “At-Promise” students earn their general education.

Last but not least, for their HIA research, students greatly benefited from the assistance of two SPC faculty, Dr. Tara Newsom, Director of the Center for Civic Learning and Community Engagement and Education Professor, Dr. Meg Delgado. The chapter also received a $1,000 HIA grant sponsored by PTK and the Mellon Foundation to enhance its 2022 HIA project.

Looking forward to the future

With Catalyst 2023 behind, the work of Eta Nu for the 2022-23 year is complete. The chapter achieved its overall objectives, including maintaining its five-star status – the highest level of achievement a chapter can attain in PTK – through its participation in campus, local, regional, national and international activities, as well as welcoming new members.

In the coming days, Eta Nu will elect a new team of officers, who will have the task of carrying the torch handed down since the chapter was created in 1950. What an exciting prospect!