Phi Theta Kappa

Contact Us

Room: C-Building, C-740
Phone: (718) 482-5220
ptk@lagcc.cuny.edu

About Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa  is an International Honor Society for 2 year colleges, spanning all 50 states of the US, as well as Guam, Puerto Rico, Germany, American Samoa, Japan, and Canada. Founded in 1918 to recognize academically high-achieving and motivated community college students, Phi Theta Kappa offers members the opportunity to develop in areas that its founders have designated as the Society’s four Hallmarks: Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Fellowship. Members are also eligible for special Phi Theta Kappa transfer scholarships offered by four-year colleges across the country. 

The Phi Theta Kappa Chapter at LaGuardia Community College is named Alpha Theta Phi and it was chartered in 1983. The Chapter, which converted from “club” to “organization” status in 2000, has been a dynamic presence on the college campus, and has been involved in a range of service and scholarly activities. Students who have earned 12 credits with a GPA of 3.50 or higher are eligible to become Phi Theta Kappa members. Qualified students are automatically invited at the end of each semester. There is a one-time membership fee of $70. 


Purpose & Mission 

The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa shall be to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students. To achieve this purpose, Phi Theta Kappa shall provide opportunity for the development of leadership and service, for an intellectual climate for exchange of ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship for scholars, and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence. 

Phi Theta Kappa’s mission is two-fold: 

  1. Recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and;
  2. Provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in leadership, service and fellowship programming.

Alpha Theta Phi 

LaGuardia Community College’s Alpha Theta Phi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa was chartered on January 1, 1983. Our chapter has been a Five Star chapter since 2006. Each April, our chapter elects officers to be in ensure that we complete all criteria laid out by Phi Theta Kappa Headquarters to ensure we remain one of the most active chapter in New York State. Our chapter, Alpha Theta Phi is in the Southern district of the New York Region. 

The officer positions in our chapter are: 

  • President 
  • VP of Programming and Events 
  • VP of Recruitment and Retention 
  • Recording Secretary 
  • Treasurer/SAC Rep 
  • Media Officer 

Joining Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa is an International Honor Society, for which you pay a one-time $70 fee to have access to a professional development group, a scholarship search program, and additional scholarships only available to PTK members. Joining will always be a good line on your resume, but you may not get much benefit out of it unless you are applying for the scholarships or planning on transferring to a 4-year college that gives an automatic scholarship to PTK members. For membership benefits and more information about Phi Theta Kappa, please click  HERE. 

Students at LAGCC are automatically invited to join Phi Theta Kappa once they have completed 12 credits at LAGCC and have a 3.5GPA. If you have met these criteria, look for an email at your LaGuardia email account and letter in the mail, which contains your special membership code and instructions on becoming a member. The code expires on a certain date, so be sure to join before that date. 

You can find out more about Alpha Theta Phi’s activities that you are invited to via Facebook or Instagram.

**When you graduate as a PTK member, you can also join the Alpha Theta Phi Alumni Chapter.**  


Getting Involved

To get the most out of your membership, you should get involved in the chapter. The time you choose to put into the chapter is up to you. Being involved will give you a better experience as a member. Involvement can range from attending general meetings to participating in volunteer activities to being an officer. The time can range from less than 1 hour per week to 8 hours per week. 

Some things you can do to be involved: 

  • Attend your Induction ceremony 
  • Volunteer at the Induction ceremony 
  • Become an officer 
  • Participate in a leadership training course at LAGCC 
  • Participate in the Honors in Action project 
  • Participate in the College Project 
  • Write a blog 
  • Volunteer at Club fair, New student orientation, or tabling events 
  • Organize a food drive, book drive, toy drive, etc. 
  • Organize a volunteer event for members 
  • Organize a fellowship event for members 


If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at 
ptk@lagcc.cuny.edu. 

PositionName
Chapter PresidentNang Kham Hsi Liang (Celia Liang)
Chapter Vice PresidentTania Sierra
Vice President of FellowshipElisabeth Oh
Vice President of LeadershipJanelly Calix
Vice President of ServiceChristy Nelson

Dr. Dana Trusso 

Dana Trusso is Assistant Professor of Philosophy at LaGuardia Community College (CUNY), serving as Contact Advisor to LaGuardia’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter since 2018. The courses she teaches include Philosophy of Religion, Introduction to Philosophy, Philosophy of Love, and the Honors section of Ethics and Moral Issues. As contact advisor for LaGuardia’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and coordinator for Philosophy Goes to the Movies Club, she understands the value of co-curricular activities. Dr. Trusso received her B.A. from Baylor University in Philosophy with minors in History and Religion (2003), and M.A. (2008) and Ph.D. (2015) in Philosophy from Duquesne University. Dr. Trusso’s area of specialization is ancient Greek philosophy, and her research centers on philosophical eros as pedagogical ascent in Plato’s Symposium and Phaedrus. Email: trusso.ptk@gmail.com 

Dianne Gordon Conyers 

Dianne Gordon Conyers is an Associate Professor and Periodicals Librarian, serving as co-advisor to LaGuardia Community College chapter of Phi Theta Kappa since 2015. She received a B.A. in English, Language Arts from Hunter College, CUNY; a Masters in Library Science from Pratt Institute; and Masters in Health Education & Promotion from Lehman College, CUNY. Research interests center around collections management, development, and information literacy. Email: dconyers@lagcc.cuny.edu 

Ann Matsuuchi 

Ann Matsuuchi is an Instructional technology librarian and Professor in the Library, serving as a co-advisor to LaGuardia’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter since 2013. She received a B.A. in Philosophy and Religion from Hunter College, CUNY; a Masters in Library & Information Science from the Palmer School/Long Island University; and Masters in Liberal Studies/Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from the CUNY Graduate Center. Research interests include: science fiction, comic books, Wikipedia. Email: amatsuuchi@lagcc.cuny.edu

Dr. Payal Doctor 

Dr. Payal Doctor is Professor of Philosophy and has been an advisor to LaGuardia’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter since 2011. She received a B.A. in Philosophy and a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado (2000); her M.A. in Philosophy from San Francisco State University (2004); and her Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Liverpool, UK (2010). The best way to reach her is by email: pdoctor@lagcc.cuny.edu although phone messages work, too: 718-482-5750. 

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