Welcome to the final installment of our series on Phi Theta Kappa at Tarrant County College. Meet some of the students and advisers who make PTK what it is at TCC.
FORT WORTH, Texas — Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) offers its members a number of benefits. Scholarships immediately come to mind but being with peers who share your ideas and talents and aspirations also should bring a certain gratification.
Call it community — student members and advisers collaborating for the greater good — and the international honor society chapters at Tarrant County College appear to have it big time.
At the TCC South Rho Chi chapter induction ceremony April 23, both new and established members seemed to think so.
New member Monae Terrell said it’s important to be with “like-minded people to expand yourself and further your story.”
Rojelio Vela, the outgoing chapter president and incoming District 2 vice president, said PTK is important “because it brings out the best in you.” Vela considers it a support group. “It allows you to see things in yourself you haven’t seen before.”
Ian Lynch, the upcoming service vice president, can relate. He looks forward to new experiences he didn’t know he could have, thanks to Rho Chi giving him structure.
Grace Behrens, the outgoing fellowship vice president, believes “you learn who you are by being with the other members.” Even after the current members move on with their lives, she says she will remember what they taught her about being “the best version of myself that I can be.”
Rho Chi adviser Madelyn Bowman, a government associate professor, beams when she talks about the chapter members and their accomplishments. “I’m ‘Mom proud,’” she says.
She became an adviser 11 years ago. Her department chair recommended it, seeing her eagerness to interact with students. The chapter recently achieved REACH designation, meaning its recruitment efforts showed measurable progress. Dr. Bowman says the students have been more visible and energized. She also credits new advisers Melinda Pereda and Dr. Kiesha Shelton for working closely with students.
At TCC Southeast, Beckie Smith, a coordinator II in the Arts and Humanities and the Human and Public Service divisions, has advised the Beta Delta Omicron chapter for three years. She says she’s blessed to do so.
Smith learned of PTK through liberal arts Dean Jerry Coats, the chapter’s lead adviser for 17 years.
“He helped propel Beta Delta Omicron to become the award-winning chapter that it is today,” she said. “Being his assistant, coupled with my own teaching background and having a heart for students, made becoming an adviser a natural next step for me.”
When Dr. Coats retired in January this year, Smith and the chapter vowed to continue to build Beta Delta Omicron on the PTK mission and also on values he instilled. “We are a chapter of advisers committed to helping each student become their absolute best in leadership, scholarship, service and even fellowship with others.”
Like TCC South, TCC Southeast also achieved REACH designation this year. Smith said the members are “FANTASTIC at spreading the word about our chapter to peers and other students on campus.” That includes engaging with Early College High School and dual credit partners, and in taking every opportunity to promote the chapter. They “go all out” on their induction ceremony, too, she said; it’s planned for May 6 this year.
Shifting downtown, Dr. Johansen Quijano has been an adviser for Beta Sigma Mu (TCC Trinity River) since his first day at the College in fall 2016. He thinks being a faculty member should involve more than just teaching.
“If we really want to understand our students, we need to know who they are, what their expectations are, and really acknowledge of what they are capable,” he said. “To me, this means being actively involved in their academic success. Being a PTK adviser gives me the opportunity to help them develop their academic and leadership skills.”
Like in the Rho Chi chapter, Alexis Davis, vice president of Beta Sigma Mu, says PTK has created a space in which to meet other focused students and network with like-minded individuals.
“As a nontraditional student, PTK makes me feel recognized for the hard work it has taken for me to have a high GPA,” she said. A single mother, Davis says her time is limited, so there are many late nights doing homework and studying. “To feel seen for that hard work is rewarding.”
Beta Sigma Mu also achieved REACH designation this year. Davis says she attributes that to “the symbiotic relationship between the advisers and officers who have worked to help everyone feel included and empowered.”
Phi Theta Kappa. It’s all about the people.
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.