Only 2% of the world does this!

Today was a great day as I had the esteemed honor to welcome 59 new inductees into our Phi Delta Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. Statistics (WHO.org) show that only 6% of the world graduates from college. The numbers get a little better when we talk about the U.S. at 30%. Then out of the college students that do graduate, less than 2% of them are part of an Honor Society. But here's the good news, 94% of students involved in Phi Theta Kappa go on to graduate!

Dropping out of High School and making my transition back to Community College at age 29 makes me no stranger to these statistics. Along my path I would encounter many folks who would remind me that my chances of making it were slim. But I also had some great champions who pushed me to challenge myself. And when I achieved a high GPA, these same mentors told me I should join the PTK Honor Society. I never thought I would make it through, let alone become honor society material. I was in shock and often didn't feel worthy.

With the help of the college community and my honor society, I continued on - graduating with high honors, and got accepted to a University, where I achieved my MBA. Now I am a Professor of Business and a staunch advocate that Honor Societies help students to achieve more. I have to admit the first time someone recommended to me - I paid no attention. I even was against it - I did not have the $75 joining fee and why should I have to pay to join a club? (Today we do have some scholarships)

To see the look on students' faces today as I read the oath, I was so proud of them, and more so, they looked so proud of themselves. They hugged with their families and then came up and took photos with the advisors and officers. The ceremony recognized their achievements into a special group of folks who have taken on this challenge and won.

Now certainly a high GPA is not everything, and while I understand the disparities that Honor Societies create, I also have to recognize the fact that 94% of them will go on to graduate with a 4-year degree. Retention and completion rates are the most challenging part of working in a community college. It saddens me every day to think that more than 50% of the students I see will never go on to graduate. I am constantly trying my best to push the scales the other way, and PTK is one of these vessels.

Huge thanks goes to my co-advisors, PTK officers and members, and the college community. They worked hard to recruit new members by educating and speaking truth to all PTK has to offer. This year alone the club raised $934 from their annual yard sale event, over $400 from organizing and running a Hot Cocoa Bar, and $540 from the holiday wreath decorating contest. Half of all these proceeds were donated to the Emergency Student Loan Fund, which serves students in need with help for anything such as gas for their car, money for food, and rent.

By working together in the Honor Society, the students formed great personal relationships which I'm sure will last long past when they graduate. The students chose to have their featured speaker at the ceremony be an expert on mental health. They showed vulnerability in saying that even with high grades and school involvement, everyone still needs to relax and recharge their batteries from time to time to avoid burnout. Prominent student officers saying its ok to ask for help works to reduce the stigma that often surrounds counseling.

Phi Theta Kappa also opens up windows of opportunities for millions of dollars in scholarships. Coming from an economically challenged background myself, I personally utilized some of these to get through my college education. I am proud to say some of our PTK members will be receiving some money to help fund their education. PTK and its members also educate on the importance of graduating, and maintaining the community for moral support.

In closing, why the picture of empty chairs? To reflect on all the people who are missing from getting a college degree, or even the opportunity to learn in an environment that will help them seek answers, challenge the status quo, and grow as better community members. I would like to hope the future will bring more opportunities for folks who'd like to go to college. And if some of this future is with these new Phi Theta Kappa members that got inducted today, then I am extremely optimistic, because we're in good hands.