Represent Rowan College of South Jersey at conference
First of two stories about the Rowan College of South Jersey Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
For many Gloucester and Cumberland county students, attending the Rowan College of South Jersey (RCSJ) at the Deptford or Vineland campuses is a stepping stone to a bachelor’s degree and a future career.
Advantages include reasonable tuition fees for two years of college credits at a highly-rated academic institution that transfer to Rowan University in Glassboro or other colleges throughout the state. And highly motivated students can learn leadership skills in the college’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
To be eligible, students must have completed at least 12 credits while earning a minimum GPA of 3.5, and to remain members, a 3.25.
Last month, honor society students from the Alpha Psi Pi (Gloucester campus) and Rho Gamma (Cumberland campus) chapters attended the 36th Middle States Regional Convention in Baltimore, and received a variety of awards.
The Psi Pi chapter was one of 33 that earned five-star status and took the League of Honor Award for completion of Honors in Action, College Project, Middle States engagement, and participation in the Google Classroom learning experience.
Awards for the chapter’s students and advisor included Domonique DeNardo, Karen Paladino, and Megan Rinaldo for their efforts in completing the Phi Theta Kappa Edge programs, and Alejandra Valencia for being a five-star advisor. She also won the Paragon Award for an advisor with one to four years of experience.
Rinaldo, Alpha Psi Pi’s executive vice president, talked about her Phi Theta Kappa experience.
“My family has been my biggest motivation for accepting this role,” she said. “As a mom of two boys under 7, I wanted to show them that if you set goals and work hard to achieve those goals that anything is possible.
“Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) has helped me gain confidence to grow as a person, student, and a leader while gaining more professional skills with writing and research as well.”
“PTK has seen me grow from the time I was a student at RCSJ,” Valencia noted. “They were the first ones to give me the opportunity to become involved in campus and feel included. I am happy to give that back to current and future students as an advisor.
“This award is for them, for inspiring me to achieve my highest potential,” she added. “Helping them is my life’s purpose.”
The college’s Rho Gamma chapter was recognized as one of 33 with five-star status and earned REACH (Recognizing Excellence in Acceptance and Completion with Honors) Rewards for 2022 at the Middle States contest.
Cumberland campus Advisor Michael Lemon was recognized for his efforts in completing the Phi Theta Kappa Edge programs, and received an award for his recognition as a five-star advisor.
“It has been fulfilling to me to see PTK officers work together as an official team and make everyone around them inside and outside of the PTK organization feel a part of the RCSJ family,” he said.
In addition to those awards, Kayla Ortiz, executive vice-president for the Cumberland campus chapter, will now serve as the 2023 East District president for the Middle States Region in the next year. She will travel to Mississippi in November for a three-day training session with other regional officers and the CEO of Phi Theta Kappa, Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner.
“PTK has helped me grow personally, professionally, and as a student leader,” Ortiz recalled. “Throughout my time in PTK, I had the opportunity to hone my leadership, effective communication and active-listening skills.”
“I have been able to strengthen my writing and research skills while working alongside a team of high-achieving and motivated students,” she added. “I am so proud to be a part of the first team in RCSJ Cumberland’s history to reach five-star status, the highest status a chapter can achieve.
“This recognition represents our chapter’s hard work and dedication throughout the year as engaged student leaders.”
For more information on RCSJ Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, visit https://www.rcsj.edu/PTK-site.
