Welcome to the first of a three-part series on Phi Theta Kappa at Tarrant County College.
FORT WORTH, Texas — If number of awards won indicates the quality of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) chapters at Tarrant County College, then TCC scholars have an excellent place to plug in and boost their studies. The international honor society recognizes academic achievement at associate degree-granting colleges while helping students grow as scholars and leaders.
TCC PTK chapters took home several awards from both the regional (Texas) and international (Catalyst) conferences this spring, and three chapters achieved REACH status this past year: Rho Chi (TCC South), Beta Delta Omicron (TCC Southeast) and Beta Sigma Mu (TCC Trinity River). REACH Rewards recognizes chapters that excel in membership development.
“Achieving REACH designation is a testament to the dedication of TCC’s PTK chapters in fostering student engagement and success,” said TCC South President Dan Lufkin. “By increasing membership and participation, these chapters are opening doors to life-changing opportunities that support academic excellence and future achievement.”
Beta Delta Omicron and Beta Chi Zeta (TCC Connect) both gained Five-Star Chapter status, which requires completing five criteria within a calendar year — to Reach, Engage, Network, Lead and Discover.
Catalyst Conference Awards
Phi Tau (TCC Northeast)
Sina Manisela was one of 30 members organization-wide to receive the Distinguished Chapter Member.
Officers Eli Miller, Emily Mushohwe, Marie-Claude Mutomb, Chidubem Orizu, Brianna Polichies, Adrian Salas, Lindsey Stockton and Sitina Vake were awarded Distinguished Officer Team. Only 30 chapters across the organization earned this honor.
“PTK currently has about 1,300 active chapters and 230,000 active members, so for our team and members to be recognized at Catalyst was absolutely amazing!” said the chapter’s adviser, history Instructor Samantha Elkins.
Rho Chi (TCC South)
Dr. Dantrayl Smith, director of student development services, received the Distinguished College Administrator. The chapter also received Distinguished Honors in Action Project, the Honors in Action Theme, and the Theme 5 and award.
Beta Delta Omicron (TCC Southeast)
BDO was named a Top 100 Chapter and had a Distinguished Chapter Member in Rosemary Alito and a Coca-Cola Gold Scholar in Zahra Alrekabi.
Oforitsenere Bodunrin received a $5,000 scholarship as one of 20 students nationwide chosen for the 2025 All-USA Academic Team. Selection criteria includes outstanding intellectual achievement, leadership, and community and campus engagement. “This is an exceptional accomplishment that is not at all routine,” said adviser Sarah Duesman, “and we are very proud of her.”
TCC Southeast President Andy Bowne said the Beta Delta Omicron chapter has “a long history of being recognized for student engagement, academic excellence and leadership. I am mighty proud of our students for all they continue to do with the support of amazing advisers and sponsors!”
Beta Sigma Mu (TCC Trinity River)
Co-adviser Dr. Jerrica Jordan, a professor of English, received the Paragon Award for New Advisors, as did 21 others across the organization.
Regional Awards
Prior to the Catalyst conference, TCC chapters, advisers and members won several awards at the Texas conference March 8. Texas is the largest region in PTK with 95 chapters.
Phi Tau (TCC Northeast)
The chapter received the College Project Award of Merit for having one of the Top 30 projects in the Texas region. It also won Distinguished Officer Team plus the Hall of Honor for officers, Marie-Claude Mutomb; members, Sina Manisela; and advisers, Samantha Elkins.
Jeanell Buck won the Most Distinguished Advisor for the state, which Elkins said is huge because this is first place overall.
Rho Chi (TCC South)
Rho Chi was named one of 18 Texas Top Chapters and received the Distinguished Honors in Action Project Award; Distinguished Honors in Action Award, Theme 5; and College Project Award of Merit. Rojelio Vela and Patricia Mansilla were named to the Officers Hall of Honor. Vela was elected District II vice president. Dr. Dantrayl Smith was named to the Administrator Hall of Honor.
Beta Delta Omicron (TCC Southeast)
For the third year in a row and fourth time since the chapter was established in 1996, a TCC Southeast chapter representative is regional president. This term, it is Leslie Zacarias.
Other BDO regional awards: one of 18 Texas Top Chapters; College Project Award of Merit; Honors in Action Award of Merit for Theme 5: Representation Through Stories; Most Distinguished Chapter Member: Rosemary Adio; Hall of Honor for Chapter Officer: Ayomide Siwoku; Award of Merit for Outstanding Alumni: Greyson Martin; Roll Call Competition: First Place, District II and Overall; Poster Project Contest: Second Place; and Speech Competition, Impromptu Speech Category: Oforitsenere Bodunrin (the chapter’s first win in this category).
Beta Sigma Mu (TCC Trinity River)
Hall of Honor Outstanding Officer, Mark French; Distinguished Advisory Team Award; Hall of Honor for Advisors: Dr. Jerrica Jordan and Carlin Johnston. All-Texas Academic Team: Sami Assi and Shelsy Arevalo.
TCC Trinity River President S. Sean Madison praised the “excellent work happening at the College to recognize and promote student academic achievement,” which he said includes providing opportunities to cultivate professional and leadership skills, secure scholarships, explore diverse career paths and build a “network of supportive peers and trusted advisers that will last a lifetime.”
Celebrating 60 years of excellence and impact in 2025, Tarrant County College is one of the nation’s largest higher education institutions and boasts the second lowest tuition of Texas’ Top 10 community colleges. A comprehensive two-year college with six campuses in Tarrant County and online classes, TCC offers a range of opportunities for learners of all ages and backgrounds, including Associate of Arts and Associate of Applied Science degrees; workforce and economic development programs; technical and skilled trades programs; and customized training for area businesses and corporations.
Watch for the next installment of this series: “Committed to student success: PTK honors TCC ‘Distinguished Administrator’”