Hello, Phi Theta Kappans!
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| Just after being announced as a Finalist |
When your 2010-2011 International Officer team was saying goodbye, they left us with one very good heartfelt piece of advice: "Make the most of your time in office, because you can do SO much!" And they were absolutely right! Our team has put a lot of effort in making sure that we have made the most of our time and our privileges as International Officers, and I am proud of the things our team has managed to achieve!
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| Me and my campaign manager, Matthew Liguori |
My mentality as an International Officer has been the same as my goal for being a Candidate- do the very best you can, help as many people as you can, don't have any regrets looking back. When I ran for office, it was with full confidence that I could make a difference as an International Officer- and with the "dream big" mentality that the whole 2011-2012 Team embraced, we exceeded even my high expectations.
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| In front of my picture at HQ!!! |
As a Phi Theta Kappa geek, visiting Headquarters had always been a goal of mine- so when we got to Jackson for our first round of training it was awe-inspiring to be in a place that emodied the organization that meant so much to me. Not only was I there, but MY picture was on the wall as a student leader for the organization, and MY name was on the International Officer plaque below the names of people I respect and look up to as examples of excellent leadership. To say I geeked out might be an understatement!
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| My small group in Boston <3 |
I had a lot of fun in Boston at the Honors Institute this year- every place I experience as a Phi Theta Kappan leaves a big impression as a small town girl from Arkansas who doesn't leave the state much. :) Every place I've been- from Orlando and California to New Mexico and Ohio- has been breathtaking and inspiring, and it's one of the thing I love most about my experiences as both a regional and an international officer. Boston was particularly exciting for me because the previous Honors Institute was my first (and a truly amazing experience that inspired me to run for IO) and here I was being the student leader passing on that experience to the newer members of our Honor Society. It was a reminder to me of the circular nature of Phi Theta Kappa as an Honor Society for two-year colleges... we come in and experience and learn, and then we pass along those learning and growing experiences to others. It is my duty as a Phi Theta Kappan who has gained SO much from my time in the organization to take up the mantle of leadership and pass along my knowledge to others who will pass it along again- leaving a Phi Theta Kappa legacy that will affect countless students in the future. This is why YOU chapter and regional officers are SO important- you are the key to the Phi Theta Kappa experience for so many!
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| Speaking in front of 4000+ smart people! |
One of my favorite moments as an International Officer was during our Fall Orientation in Jackson in August when the International Officer team sat down and hammered out our goals for the year. I had so many hopes for the legacy we would leave as a team, and with the strengths of every team member put together we put together a list that exceeded my expectations. (Why? Because we're awesome AND good-looking! Right guys?) We focused on building up the International Officer experience through communication and consistency, helping our members through some positive changes in society outlook (Hello, STAR chapters!), and bringing our whole community together for one great big awesome project that will help Phi Theta Kappans have the resources they need to COMPLETE THEIR DEGREES!!! (Have you made plans to contribute to the Obendorf Lifeline to Completion scholarship fund yet???) I couldn't have asked for more meaningful, high-reaching goals- and I have to admit that this was the moment when I fell in love with my International Officer team.
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| My home chapter- Beta Zeta Omega |
My fall travel was both amazing and humbling- I got to visit two regions who had both requested that I come to their regional meetings: the New Mexico region and the Ohio region! It was incredible to me that in my brief time in Seattle and Boston I had made an impression on these student leaders that led them to request that I come represent Phi Theta Kappa to their students. As always, interacting with members is always my number one joy as an officer for the organization- and that has proved no less true as an international officer. New Mexico was GORGEOUS and one of the friendliest places I have been to (and their mountains put my Ozarks to shame!). The thing that most impressed me during my visit to Ohio was the involvement and excitement of their alumni association... they were helpful, informed, and excited about providing as many opportunities the the Ohio students as they could manage. That, and I am seriously considering moving to their state JUST to get one of those Phi Theta Kappa license plates!
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My husband Russ
(official title: Mr. Sarah) |
Being an International Officer has come with a few challenges... there is always a learning process to any new position and this one is no different. As an International Officer I had to learn to mesh with a highly-motivated group of individuals to form a great team (what is this "task sharing" you speak of??), represent the ideals and organizational goals of Phi Theta Kappa, and balance the rigors of being a good International Officer with those of classes (physics and calculus and biology, oh my!), along with my responsibilities at home and at work. Throw in the excitement (and increased sleep requirements) of being a first time mom-to-be and you have a good picture of a week out of my life! But as I tell students all the time, you get out of Phi Theta Kappa what you put into it, and not one single thing I have experienced during my time with the honor society has not been to my very great benefit- if not also to the very great benefit of others.
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Phi Theta Kappa
International Vice President
Division III
2011-2012 |
There was a time in my life when I was unsure what kind of future I was suited for- even as an honor student I was always looking for my limitations when considering my life goals. But I woke up one morning and asked myself "What's the biggest thing I could dare to achieve right now in my life?"- and the answer was clear to me... being an International Officer for Phi Theta Kappa. Running for this office was one of the scariest, most exciting learning experiences I have ever gone for- and being on this team and wearing this red medal has meant so much more to me than just having my name on a plaque or my picture on the wall... it has meant the dawn of a new era in my life in which I am not limited by my weaknesses nor afraid of my limitations. We have reached for lofty goals and dreams as an International Officer team, and we have worked together with the amazing Phi Theta Kappa staff to see those dreams realized- further cementing my view that we are all capable of big world-changing things regardless of who we are, where we are from, or what experiences we have had in the past. Never has my campaign motto (a quote from Harriet Tubman) held more true:
“Always remember, you have within you
the strength, the patience, the passion
to reach for the stars- to change the world!!!”
More than half way through my year as an international Officer, I can’t help but stop and think how lucky I am to be in this position. I’ve gotten the chance to meet so many amazing people and to explore new avenues for myself as a Scholar and a Leader. Last year this time it didn’t really seem possible, but as I work with my team to create a scholarship for students that will aid in college completion and help mentor students in my own country I’m very proud of what I have been able to accomplish this year and excited for what lies ahead. My first semester as an Officer, albeit the most challenging, was well worth the struggle and has made for a brilliant lesson. Like many of my fellow Phi Theta Kappans know, the most challenging experiences forge the greatest skills and opportunities for growth.
I think that the greatest thing that I have been given this year is a network of students who understand how hard and important it is to devote your life to education and work in Community Colleges. Many of the happy moments that I have had this year have come through my involvement in Community College and through my work with Phi Theta Kappa. When I think about how I have grown and developed over the last few months it is humbling to think that it all stemmed from my decision to not transfer from my Community College. As the year comes to a close, and with Christmas only 2 days away, I can’t imagine a single gift that is better than what I’ve already gained. When I think about all the memories I had in Phi Theta Kappa, I think about Annual Convention, Leadership Conferences, Honors Institute and the ISLP Program that my involvement in PTK made possible.
