CCCC's Phi Theta Kappa holds induction ceremony

SANFORD, N.C. - Academic achievement and service were celebrated March 25 as Central Carolina Community College's Beta Sigma Phi Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society held its spring induction ceremony at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic & Conference Center.

Inductees from 2024-2025 were recognized during the ceremony.

Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in American higher education. In 1929, the American Association of Community Colleges recognized PTK as the official honor society for two-year colleges. The CCCC chapter, chartered in 2010, sets a higher standard for membership eligibility than the national organization: a 3.7 grade point average rather than the 3.5 GPA that national requires.

Guest speaker was Zakya Parker, a senior at Edgecombe Early College High School currently serving as the regional vice president for the Carolinas Region of Phi Theta Kappa. “It is truly a privilege to stand before you today. You all have achieved something remarkable, and I hope each of you recognizes and takes pride in the hard work that has led you here,” said Parker. Her address focused on the themes of maximizing the PTK experience, harnessing the power of positive thinking, overcoming failure, building confidence, and visualizing success.

“Phi Theta Kappa is a prestigious National Honor Society that recognizes students for their commitment to scholarship, leadership, fellowship, and service. Each of you being inducted tonight has demonstrated exceptional excellence in these four pillars. PTK is more than just a recognition; it is a platform for growth and leadership, an opportunity for scholars like yourselves to thrive and evolve as leaders,” said Parker.

CCCC President Dr. Lisa M. Chapman provided welcoming remarks.

PTK officers led the induction ceremony.

In addition to this year’s inductees, the CCCC PTK officers presented stoles to CCCC President Dr. Chapman and Dr. Kristi Short, CCCC Vice President and Chief Academic Officer, as they were recognized for continuously championing student success, leadership, and academic excellence at CCCC. “Your dedication to fostering an environment where students can thrive has empowered each of us to reach new heights,” said CCCC’s PTK President Gretchen Gunter.

Phi Theta Kappa is composed of Greek words symbolizing wisdom, aspiration, and purity. A white rose symbolizes purity, beauty of life, and intellectual associations, while the oak and laurel leaves on the PTK emblem represent stability, character, achievement, and success.

CCCC Phi Theta Kappa officers are: Gretchen Gunter, President; Troy Howard, Vice President; Lysander Nelson, Public Relations Officer; and Irelynn Strother, Recording Officer. Sarah Shannon-Mohamed is CCCC PTK Advisor and Director of Onboarding and New Student Programs

In its years of existence, the college's Beta Sigma Phi Chapter has garnered a number of prestigious recognitions from PTK. These include the Five-Star ranking -- the highest ranking a chapter can receive for excellence, and awards at regional PTK conferences. It has also reached out to the community with service projects, such as assisting food banks and shelters.

The CCCC Phi Theta Kappa chapter has been recognized as a 2024 REACH Chapter by the international PTK organization. This prestigious honor celebrates the chapter's exceptional efforts in promoting PTK membership and engaging students in academic and service learning opportunities. The REACH Rewards program acknowledges chapters that achieve high rates of membership acceptance, thereby fostering student success and development.

View downloadable photos from the event.

The 2025 PTK new inductees are:

Anjely Aguilar-Reyes (Sanford, NC)
Av Allen (Fuquay-Varina, NC)
Ginger Barclay (Sanford, NC)
Brianna Barner (Sanford, NC)
Isaac Barstow (Sanford, NC)
Ashley Belcher (Pittsboro, NC)
Noemi Benitez Vivas (Sanford, NC)
Allyson Bennett (Sanford, NC)
Jonathan Bowden (Pittsboro,  NC)
Raina Bullard (Lillington, NC)
Natalie Cajado (Chapel Hill, NC)
Tiwana Cole (Sanford, NC)
Deborah Collado (Cameron, NC)
Sharon Covington (Ramseur, NC)
O'Conall Eller (Sanford, NC)
Nathaniel Faucett (Dunn, NC)
Clara Garcia (Sanford, NC)
Myna Graybill (Fayetteville, NC)
Samantha Gugelman (Pittsboro, NC)
Kristen Haling (Broadway, NC)
Ireland Hall (Clinton, NC)
Christian Harrison (Sanford, NC)
Natalie Holden (Broadway, NC)
Audrey Hsieh (Siler City, NC)
Heather Hudson (Sanford, NC)
Cynthia Hyland (Dunn, NC)
Fiona Michaela Jacobs (Sanford, NC)
Chiquita James (Dunn , NC)
Donna Juarez (Lillington, NC)
John Kidd (Lillington, NC)
Jacob Kirby (Apex, NC)
Sarah Lasley (Sanford, NC)
Nikole Leggard (Fuquay-Varina, NC)
Logan Lyon (Sanford, NC)
Kaitlyn Maddox (Sanford, NC)
Gabrielle Matthews (Sanford, NC)
Amanda McLamb (Sanford, NC)
James McNabb (Chapel Hill, NC)
Jordan McNish (Pittsboro, NC)
Kacey Meyer (Sanford, NC)
Molly Miazga (Angier, NC)
Callie Miller (Sanford , NC)
Jenali Miller (Sanford , NC)
Victoria Mouser (Sanford, NC)
Mahogany Newkirk (Dunn, NC)
Alizah O'Quinn (Sanford, NC)
Mia Orellana (Sanford, NC)
Fletcher Platt (Chapel Hill, NC)
Nicholas Poth (Sanford, NC)
Logan Ravanes (Pittsboro, NC)
Eva Rials (Broadway, NC)
Amya Richardson (Pittsboro, NC)
Angel Rivera (Sanford, NC)
Frank Robertson (Sanford, NC)
Naomi Salvador (Sanford, NC)
Gianna Schiavone (Chapel Hill, NC)
Ronald Schmidt (Sanford, NC)
Harley Schooley (Sanford, NC)
Kiona Scott (Fayetteville, NC)
Dominique Small (Cary, NC)
Carolina Soriano Venegas (Broadway, NC)
Lexi Spivey (Pittsboro, NC)
Loreli Stall (Raleigh, NC)
Corbett Tant (Apex, NC)
Peyton Teague (Siler City, NC)
Nicholas Trimble (Cameron, NC)
Larah Tripp (Angier, NC)
Addison Tunnard (Sanford, NC)
Britney Valente Monter (Sanford, NC)
Breanna Walker (Fuquay-Varina, NC)
Gracie Waltz (Willow Spring, NC)
Jessica Wells (Sanford, NC)
Elias Wilkie (Sanford, NC)
Isaac Woolsey (Chapel Hill, NC)