Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa is the International Community (and 2-year) College academic honor society. Its primary purposes are to recognize outstanding academic achievement at the community college level; to enhance academic development through the Honors Topic; to develop leadership skills in its members; and to offer a variety of community service activities.

The Alpha Sigma Alpha Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at De Anza College was chartered (by founding advisor Charles Klein) during the 1989-90 academic year, and the first formal Induction Ceremony of chartering members was May, 1990. Approximately 100 DAC students become members each quarter; each year there are over 100,000 community college students nationwide who join this honor society.
Email notices of eligibility and invitation are generally sent by the second week of each quarter -except for summer session. **Charles Klein no longer the chapter advisor at De Anza College; The new advisor is Mehrdad Khosravi khosravimehrdad@fhda.edu ** . If you are inquiring about membership after that deadline, you will have to wait until the beginning of the next quarter to submit your application.
Some of the benefits of membership are described in the Benefits Brochure 2015. (For some reason this pdf file does not seem to open in Firefox browser; you may need to open in another viewer: Abode Acrobat Pro.) You may want to obtain more information via the International Phi Theta Kappa website  http://www.ptk.org

So why get involved, especially in one of two major projects that is offered through the organization:

• Not just useful for transfer students but also for those with terminal degree at the CC

• Prepare/develop research skills (preparation for writing essays, term papers, other formal papers/presentations [in class and at work] )

• Community outreach

• Collaborative working skills

• Leadership development skills

• Project is not just for sake of project; it becomes something meaningful to chapter members, college, and community

• To be involved in something much larger than one’s self

• Work with students who are not members of Phi Theta Kappa –these projects are not exclusive to Phi Theta Kappa, and as such you develop the skills of working with others outside your group

An article regarding the success that generally is a consequence of membership in Phi Theta Kappa is found in Phi Theta Kappa Expanding Success & Honors that was published in the February 29, 2016 issue of Community College Week, a newsmagazine related to community colleges. If nothing else, the data on the last page of the article should be a real eye-opener for you.

Here are some typical questions and answers (especially about grade-point averages) that arise when considering becoming a member of the organization: Frequently Asked Questions

There are two types of scholarships offered through Phi Theta Kappa: University transfer scholarships ( https://www.ptk.org/scholarships.aspx , offered directly by the university ); and those offered by Phi Theta Kappa ( Scholarships Through Phi Theta Kappa ).

Minimum requirements for membership are:
• current enrollment at De Anza College with at least 3 letter-grade units (classes taken pass/fail are not considered)

• a minimum of 18 letter grade units already completed at DAC (known as the cumulative "GPA Hours"; do not use the "Earned hours", as this includes pass/fail units, which do not count towards your GPA; coursework at another college -even Foothill- is not applicable)

• a minimum cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.50
Membership enrollment can be completed on-line and paid for with a credit card. A special membership code number is required, and is sent directly to you by email for your use. One-time Membership Dues of $95.00 is assessed to complete your membership process; the dues covers International, Regional, and Chapter dues. This is a lifetime membership; however, do read Item 1 of the Frequently Asked Questions document regarding membership. When you submit an on-line application, please enter your name exactly as you want it to appear on your membership card and certificate.

If you missed a previous opportunity to enroll in Phi Theta Kappa, then you will have to wait until the next term (summer excluded) and wait for another email invitation. If you don't get a 2nd invitation contact the chapter advisor.

If you miss this opportunity to become a member, you can become a member during the following quarter; however, at that time you will have to initiate contact with Mehrdad Khosravi, as it is very possible you may not receive a duplicate email invitation in that next term. If you wait until the following quarter (the quarter after this one, excluding summer) then at that time you must be registered as a student at De Anza College for you to submit your application.

Phi Theta Kappa Website Information:

NV/CA Region http://nvcaregion.org

International Phi Theta Kappa http://www.ptk.org

Contact Mehrdad Khosravi directly if you need any additional information.

Email: khosravimehrdad@fhda.edu