LLCC’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society recently completed all the requirements for Five Star Chapter Status, the highest level of recognition, 11 years in a row. Requirements include participation of the chapter in regional events, student and advisor professional development, recruitment activities and completion of two service projects — one to benefit the college and one to benefit the community. These projects are developed, planned and implemented by chapter officers and members.

The college project, “PTK Career Week” took place in March 2023 and included a series of professional development activities for members. Members workshopped their resumes, participated in an “elevator pitch” development session with LLCC alum Bob Barber, completed the PTK Employment Edge online course and attended the UIS Career Connections Expo. Participants in these events were awarded PTK graduation stoles.

The “Honors in Action” community service project took place in November and December 2023. “Mail From Memory Lane” was a pen pal program between residents of Eastland Retirement Community in Auburn, Illinois. Eight chapter members exchanged a series of letters with eight residents to learn about their childhood experiences with play, before purchasing gifts for their pen pals based on their letters, and meeting them in person in December.

The advisors for LLCC’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter are Gillian Bauer, professor of English, and Ryan Roberts, professor librarian.