Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society awarded Rebecca L. Riley, Ed.D., Lone Star College-Montgomery President, the Shirly B. Gordon Award which is based on outstanding efforts given toward promoting the goals of Phi Theta Kappa and overall student success.
“PTK students can make friends with like-minded individuals with different backgrounds and gain experience working together on projects that benefit their colleges,” said Riley. “They work with faculty mentors who help them broaden and deepen their scholarship, learn research techniques and create ways to serve their communities.”
The award is named for the late Dr. Shirley B. Gordon, Phi Theta Kappa’s longest serving Board of Directors Chair and President Emeritus of Highline Community College in Des Moines, Washington.
Riley and five other community college presidents nationwide will receive the Shirley B. Gordon award during the annual PTK Catalyst Convention April 20-22 in Ohio. The LSC-Montgomery Beta Delta Iota PTK Chapter nominated Riley for this prestigious award based on her support and dedication in ensuring the chapter continues its goal of student success.
“We are all so grateful for Dr. Riley’s support of our PTK leaders and students who felt empowered to move forward with their project due to her encouragement,” said Sarah Chapman, Ph.D., LSC-Montgomery Criminal Justice Lead Faculty and PTK Advisor. “Dr. Riley’s attention and supportive feedback renewed the students’ confidence, and they left the meeting feeling that their project was valuable.”
Riley appreciates the value that PTK offers students and offers her support for their yearly projects. In fall 2022, she worked with the group's leadership to help shape their college project and focus for the year. The chapter took Riley’s advice, developed a monthly newsletter and survey and sent it to LSC students addressing mental health and support. The group collected the responses and shared the aggregated data in future newsletters.
“Dr. Riley’s unwavering support and enthusiasm regarding our academic endeavors propelled our officer team toward a five-star chapter status while promoting student confidence in leadership roles,” said Emily Reeder, LSC-Montgomery student and PTK Vice President of Communication.
Riley credits receiving the Shirley B. Gordon award to the hard work of students and faculty advisors. Although honored to receive the award, she said that working with the students in the Beta Delta Iota PTK Chapter always leaves her feeling like the world is in good hands.
“I benefit so much from having contact with these brilliant students who really want to do good in the world,” Riley said. “Having a strong PTK chapter signals to prospective students that LSC-Montgomery is committed to student success and development and high academic standards.”
Lone Star College has Phi Theta Kappa Chapters at several campuses, and each is a five-star chapter. This distinction indicates that the groups develop honors in action projects and participate at the international level. To join an LSC PTK chapter, students must be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours and have a 3.5 or higher GPA. Visit LoneStar.edu/PTK for more information.
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society started in 1918 and recognizes the academic achievement of students enrolled in community colleges. PTK opens doors for students regarding transfer to four-year universities, attaining employment, getting scholarships and receiving travel opportunities. Student members participate in fellowship, academic support and leadership and service opportunities with other students who prioritize their studies.
Lone Star College enrolls over 80,000 students each semester providing high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., serves as Chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and has been named a 2022 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education and recognized by Fortune Magazine and Great Place To Work® as one of this year’s Best Workplaces in Texas™. LSC consists of eight colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.