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CT State offers academically high-achieving students the opportunity to join honors societies. These societies provide opportunities for the development of leadership and service in an intellectual climate to promote the exchange of ideas and ideals, lively fellowship for scholars and for stimulating an interest in continuing academic excellence. 

In addition to joining an honors society, high-achieving students may wish to consider CT State's Honors program.

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK)

PTK logoPhi Theta Kappa (PTK) is the official honor society of two-year colleges. Granted by the American Association of Community College, PTK offers members opportunities to deepen their college and campus involvement, access to exclusive scholarships, and a chance to be part of an international network, allowing for networking, professional development and more, even after you graduate. And when you're searching for jobs, having Phi Theta Kappa on your transcript differentiates you from other applicants. 

Each CT State campus runs an individual chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Information about each chapter can be found in the campuses section below. Students who meet the general requirements will be invited to their home campus chapter.

Requirements for Eligibility Into PTK: 

  • Completion of at least 12 hours of coursework toward an associate or bachelor’s degree or six hours towards a certificate of one year
  • Typically, a GPA of 3.5 or higher is required to be invited

Campus Honors Societies

Learn about the different PTK chapters and other honor societies available on each campus by choosing from the above campuses.

Asnuntuck Campus

Phi Theta Kappa–Alpha Lambda Zeta Chapter

The Alpha Lambda Zeta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at CT State Asnutuck promotes scholarship, the development of leadership and service and the cultivation of fellowship among qualified students at the college and campus. The chapter works alongside campus administration to support projects and service opportunities. 

Connect with Us:

  • Facebook: @ptkasnuntuck 
  • Instagram: @ptkasnuntuck

Advisors:

Capital Campus

Phi Theta Kappa–Capital Chapter

The Capital Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at CT State Capital promotes scholarship, the development of leadership and service and the cultivation of fellowship among qualified students at the college and campus. The chapter works alongside campus administration to support projects and service opportunities. 

Advisors:

Organization of Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) - Alpha Delta Nu Honor Society

The mission of the Alpha Delta Nu Nursing Honor Society is to recognize the academic excellence of students in the study of associate degree nursing. This honor society encourages the pursuit of advanced degrees in the profession of nursing as well as continuing education as a life-long professional responsibility.

Advisors:

Gateway Campus

Phi Theta Kappa–Gateway Chapter

The Gateway Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at CT State Gateway promotes scholarship, the development of leadership and service and the cultivation of fellowship among qualified students at the college and campus. The chapter works alongside campus administration to support projects and service opportunities. 

Advisors:

Housatonic Campus

Phi Theta Kappa–Housatonic Chapter

The Housatonic Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at CT State Housatonic promotes scholarship, the development of leadership and service and the cultivation of fellowship among qualified students at the college and campus. The chapter works alongside campus administration to support projects and service opportunities. 

Advisors:

Psi Beta

Psi Beta is the national honor society in psychology for community and junior colleges. It is the first two-year honor society approved for membership in the Association of College Honor Societies, which regulates membership requirements. Psi Beta was founded for the purpose of stimulating, encouraging, and recognizing students' outstanding scholarship and interest in psychology. Psychology students become members by invitation of the college chapter.

For information, contact Earl Graham at earl.graham@ctstate.edu.

Alpha Beta Gamma

CT State Housatonic has a chapter of Alpha Beta Gamma, the International Business Honor Society. This society encourages scholarship among two-year college students majoring in business. To be eligible for membership, a student must be enrolled in a business curriculum and must have completed 40 academic credit hours in courses leading to a degree. Additionally, the student must have attained a 3.2 GPA in business courses and a 3.2 overall cumulative average. Members are eligible for scholarships at four-year institutions and have networking and leadership opportunities available through a variety of activities.

Tau Upsilon Alpha

Established in 2006 as a program of the National Organization for Human Services (NOHS), Tau Upsilon Alpha is a national honor society for students, alumni, and faculty in the field of Human Services. The purposes of the honor society are to honor academic excellence; to foster lifelong learning, leadership, and development; and to promote excellence in service to humanity.

Epsilon Pi Tau

Epsilon Pi Tau is an international honor society that encourages academic excellence in fields devoted to the general study of technology. Students who are enrolled in programs in science, engineering, and technology may be invited to be initiated into Epsilon Pi Tau upon completion of 30 credits in prescribed courses with a 3.00 GPA and the recommendation of their faculty advisor.

Manchester Campus

Phi Theta Kappa–Alpha Upsilon Alpha Chapter

The Alpha Upsilon Alpha Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at CT State Manchester promotes scholarship, the development of leadership and service and the cultivation of fellowship among qualified students at the college and campus. The chapter works alongside campus administration to support projects and service opportunities. 

Alpha Upsilon Alpha was founded as a chapter in May 1991 and has a proud history on campus. 

Connect With Us:

Advisors:

Awards

As a chapter, Alpha Upsilon Alpha participates in many events and functions. Below is a list of some of the recent accolades our distinguished chapter has received for our involvement.

  • All USA-Coca Cola Academic Team Award
  • Alumni Appreciation Award
  • American Cancer Society – Relay for Life
  • Continued Service Award
  • Beta Alpha Continued Excellence Award
  • College Project Award
  • Manchester Community College Community Service Award
  • Continued Excellence Award for Advisors
  • Distinguished Chapter Award
  • Distinguished Officer Team Award
  • Distinguished President Award
  • Distinguished Member Award
  • Distinguished Advisor Award
  • Guistewhite Scholarship Award
  • Honors In Action Award
  • Honors Anthology Award – Nota Bene Literary Competition
  • Horizon Advisor Award
  • New Century Scholar Award
  • Paragon Award for New Advisors
  • MCC Campus Leadership Award
  • Florence Sheils Award

Events

Annual Book Sale – Occurs annually the third week of November in the AST Rotunda.

Welcome Back Week – Drop by our table and get to know us. We can answer any questions about Phi Theta Kappa you may have.

Middlesex Campus

Phi Theta Kappa–Beta Gamma Xi Chapter

The Beta Gamma Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at CT State Middlesex promotes scholarship, the development of leadership and service and the cultivation of fellowship among qualified students at the college and campus. The chapter works alongside campus administration to support projects and service opportunities. Beta Gamma Xi at CT State Middlesex has received Five-Star Chapter status.

Advisors:

Awards

2024

  • Distinguished College Project Award (National)
  • Distinguished Honors in Action Project Award (National)
  • Distinguished Chapter Award (National)
  • Top 100 Chapter Recognition (National)
  • Paragon Award for New Presidents: CEO Kim Hogan (National)
  • Distinguished Advisor Award: Landi Hou (National)
  • Most Distinguished Chapter (New England)
  • Distinguished College Project (First Place, New England: “Understanding the Needs and Interests of Students at the Meriden Campus”)
  • Distinguished Honors in Action Project (First Place, New England: “Nostalgia-Inspired Art: Integrating Nostalgia into Recreational Therapy”)
  • Honors in Action Distinguished Theme Award for Nostalgia of Play (First Place, New England)
  • Distinguished Chapter Advisor: Landi Hou (Second Place, New England)
  • Distinguished Chapter Officer Team (Third Place, New England): Katherine Tocto Quituisaca, Ephraim Mosher, Meghan Serpis, Will Mason, Katelyn Parrott, Francesco Marotta, Luna Bijleveld, Damon Hill, Max Czellecz
  • Five Star Chapter

2023

  • Distinguished Chapter Advisor: Dr. Lin Lin (National)
  • Top 100 Chapter (National)
  • Distinguished Chapter (National)
  • Distinguished Honors in Action Project (National)
  • College Project (Second Place, New England)
  • Five Star Chapter
  • Honors in Action Project (First Place for theme, New England: Architecture and Design of Play)
  • Honors in Action Project (First Place overall, New England)
  • Most Distinguished Chapter in New England
  • Most Distinguished Chapter Advisor: Dr. Lin Lin (New England)
  • Most Distinguished Chapter Officer: Olivia Merlini (First Place, New England)
  • Most Distinguished Chapter Officer: Katherine Tocto Quituisaca (Second Place, New England)
  • REACH Reward Chapter

2022

  • Most Distinguished Officer Award (Regional and National): Isabella Merlini
  • Honors in Action Distinguished Theme Award: Perceptions of Progress (Second Place in New England)
  • Honors in Action Distinguished Project Award (Second Place, New England)
  • Most Distinguished Chapter Award (First Place, New England)
  • Top 100 Chapters (National)
  • Five Star Chapter
  • REACH Reward Chapter

2021

  • Honors in Action Project Expressions of Truth theme
  • Distinguished Chapter Officer Team Award
  • Five Star Chapter
  • REACH Reward Chapter

2020

  • Most Distinguished Chapter Member (First Place), Regional and National
  • Honors in Action Distinguished Theme Award (Second Place) (Theme 8: World of Work)
  • Five Star Chapter
  • REACH Reward Chapter
  • New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar (Abigail Ingalls)
  • All-CT Academic Team (Joshua Budney, John Guillamon, Abigail Ingalls)

2019

  • Most Distinguished Chapter Officer Team Award (First Place)
  • Five Star Chapter
  • Five Star Chapter Advisor Plan Recognition
  • REACH Reward Chapter
  • Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar (John Guillamon)
  • All-CT Academic Team (York Clement, Jacob Murphy)

2018

  • Most Distinguished Chapter Officer Team Award (First Place)
  • Most Distinguished Honors in Action Project Award (Second Finalist)
  • Most Distinguished Chapter Award (Second Finalist)
  • Honors in Action Distinguished Theme Award  (Theme 4: Peace and War)
  • Five Star Chapter
  • PTK Cengage Unlimited Subscription Award (Brittney Cotrona)
  • All-CT Academic Team (Brittney Cotrona, Alan Marshall)

2017

  • Distinguished Officer Team (Second Finalist)
  • Most Distinguished Officer Team (Second Runner-up)
  • Honors in Action Distinguished Theme Award
  • Five Star Chapter
  • All-CT Academic Team (Messanvi Amenounve, Susan Girouard)

2016

  • New England Region Horizon Award
  • Honors in Action Distinguished Theme Award
  • Connecticut C4 Participation Recognition
  • Five Star Chapter
  • All-CT Academic Team (Michael Stielau and Ceara Wettemann)

Naugatuck Valley Campus

Phi Theta Kappa–Naugatuck Valley Chapter

The Naugatuck Valley Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at CT State Naugatuck Valley promotes scholarship, the development of leadership and service and the cultivation of fellowship among qualified students at the college and campus. The chapter works alongside campus administration to support projects and service opportunities. 

Alpha Beta Gamma

CT State Naugatuck Valley has a chapter of Alpha Beta Gamma, the International Business Honor Society. This society encourages scholarship among two-year college students majoring in business. To be eligible for membership, a student must be enrolled in a business curriculum and must have completed 40 academic credit hours in courses leading to a degree. Additionally, the student must have attained a 3.2 GPA in business courses and a 3.2 overall cumulative average. Members are eligible for scholarships at four-year institutions and have networking and leadership opportunities available through a variety of activities.

Zeta Omega Chapter at CSCC

The Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) is the only organization that advocates for Associate Degree Nursing at the national level. It serves as an honor society, recognizing students' academic excellence in this field while encouraging the pursuit of advanced degrees and lifelong education in nursing as a professional responsibility. 

Additionally, OADN's advocacy efforts amplify the voice of associate degree nursing in education and healthcare policy.

OADN's mission is to be the national voice and pivotal resource for community college nursing education and the associate degree pathway. The vision is to expand networks that promote leadership, collaboration, and advocacy to further enrich nursing education and the communities we serve.

Contact Dr. Elanne Bueno, the chapter advisor, if you are interested in joining the Nursing Honor Society:
Office Location: Founders Hall, Room 317
Phone: 203-596-8671
Email: elanne.bueno@ctstate.edu

Northwestern Campus

Phi Theta Kappa–Alpha Nu Epsilon Chapter

The Alpha Nu Epsilon Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at CT State Northwestern promotes scholarship, the development of leadership and service and the cultivation of fellowship among qualified students at the college and campus. The chapter works alongside campus administration to support projects and service opportunities. 

Advisors:

Norwalk Campus

Phi Theta Kappa–Norwalk Chapter

The Norwalk Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at CT State Norwalk promotes scholarship, the development of leadership and service and the cultivation of fellowship among qualified students at the college and campus. The chapter works alongside campus administration to support projects and service opportunities. 

Advisors:

Quinebaug Valley Campus

Phi Theta Kappa–Quinebaug Valley Chapter

The Quinebaug Valley Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at CT State Quinebaug Valley promotes scholarship, the development of leadership and service and the cultivation of fellowship among qualified students at the college and campus. The chapter works alongside campus administration to support projects and service opportunities. 

Location: Danielson campus

Connect With Us:

Advisor:

Alpha Beta Gamma (Alpha Omicron Chapter)

Alpha Beta Gamma is an international business honor society established in 1970 to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students in business and related curricula at degree-granting academic institutions. To achieve this goal, ABG provides leadership opportunities, forums for the exchange of ideas and the stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence. Since its founding, over 65,000 business honor students from accredited community, junior, and technical colleges have been initiated into the society.

Location: Danielson campus

Advisor:

Jennifer Oliver, jen.oliver@ctstate.edu 

Epsilon Pi Tau (Gamma Phi Chapter)

Epsilon Pi Tau is an academic and professional honor society that encourages the academic excellence of students in fields devoted to the general study of technology and the preparation of practitioners for the technology professions. It recognizes and provides services to students in degree and certificate programs in accredited higher education institutions offering associate through doctoral degree programs. In addition, it recognizes and advances the work of faculty and administrative leaders in higher education academic fields and programs for the general study of technology and programs devoted to career preparation for specific fields in the technology professions. 

Location: Danielson campus

Advisor:

Jakob Spjut, jakob.spjut@ctstate.edu

Tau Upsilon Alpha

The purpose of Tau Upsilon Alpha National Organization for Human Services Honor Society is to honor academic excellence, foster lifelong learning, leadership, and development and promote excellence in service to humanity. To qualify, inductees must earn and maintain a 3.2 GPA, demonstrate a commitment to honing human services skills and embody excellence in community service.

Location: Danielson campus

Three Rivers Campus

Phi Theta Kappa–Three Rivers Chapter

The Three Rivers Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at CT State Three Rivers promotes scholarship, the development of leadership and service and the cultivation of fellowship among qualified students at the college and campus. The chapter works alongside campus administration to support projects and service opportunities. 

Advisor:

Tunxis Campus

Phi Theta Kappa–Alpha Iota Alpha Chapter

The Alpha Iota Alpha Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at CT State Tunxis promotes scholarship, the development of leadership and service and the cultivation of fellowship among qualified students at the college and campus. The chapter works alongside campus administration to support projects and service opportunities. 

Advisors: