Gadsden State’s Rho Rho Chapter Earns Top Honors at PTK Regional Convention

GADSDEN — The Rho Rho Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) at Gadsden State Community College earned multiple awards and recognitions during the Alabama Regional PTK Convention held March 6–7 at Coastal Alabama Community College in Fairhope.

The chapter was recognized as a Five-Star Chapter and received the designation of Continued Excellence Chapter, highlighting its sustained commitment to academic achievement, leadership and service.

In addition, Rho Rho members submitted entries for several Hallmark Awards and were honored with the Chapter Advisor Team Award. Vanessa Cochran, a new advisor for the chapter, was named a recipient of the Paragon Award for New Advisors, one of PTK’s highest honors recognizing outstanding leadership and dedication.

The chapter’s Honors in Action (HIA) project received top distinction, earning awards for Most Distinguished Theme and Overall Project. PTK’s Honors in Action program encourages undergraduate research by combining scholarly exploration with service-based solutions to real-world challenges.

Rho Rho’s project focused on the impact of art on mental health, exploring how creative expression can support emotional well-being and strengthen communities. Through the project, students gained hands-on experience in research, collaboration and community engagement.

“Our students continue to demonstrate what is possible when academic excellence and service come together,” said Melissa Davis, PTK Advisor.  “These recognitions reflect their hard work, creativity and commitment to making a meaningful difference.”

The chapter was also named the fourth overall finalist chapter in the Alabama region, placing it among the top PTK chapters in the state.

Rho Rho members will next attend the Phi Theta Kappa International Convention March 26–29 in Baltimore, Maryland, where they will be recognized on the international stage and learn the final results of select awards.

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing academic achievement among students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them grow as scholars and leaders.

For more information about Phi Theta Kappa at Gadsden State, visit www.gadsdenstate.edu.