What Is Phi Theta Kappa?

Phi Theta Kappa is the International Honor Society of the Two-Year College. Its mission is two-fold: to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and to provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service, and fellowship programming.

Phi Theta Kappa traces its beginning to a Society that originated with six charter members at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, in 1910. The Society grew, spread to other colleges, and the name Phi Theta Kappa was chosen. Founders modeled many aspects of the new Society after the prestigious senior college honorary society, Phi Beta Kappa, and in 1929, the American Association of Community Colleges recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two-year colleges.

Phi Theta Kappa has four hallmarks: scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship. The scholarship hallmark focuses on the academic excellence and continued study of its members. The leadership hallmark encourages members to take on leadership roles on their campus, in the community, and within Phi Theta Kappa. The service hallmark encourages members to serve others in their college and community. The fellowship hallmark is inherent in all Phi Theta Kappa activities and programs as members get to know each other and reach out to their campus and community.