SCC Phi Theta Kappa Chapter Achieves Five-Star Status

Spartanburg Community College leadership announced that the College’s Phi Theta Kappa Chapter, Beta Sigma Psi, has achieved a “Five-Star Chapter” status, the highest ranking a PTK chapter can achieve.

“This achievement is a tremendous showcase of our students and faculty sponsors and their dedication to advancing their chapter and focusing on service to the community,” said Dr. Michael Mikota, President of Spartanburg Community College. “Not only have these students shown they are tremendously intelligent and talented individuals, but they have also embodied the heart and spirit of what it means to be a SCC Chaser by going after their goal and attaining it."

Phi Theta Kappa is an international honor society for two-year colleges. To receive a membership invitation, students are required to complete a minimum of 12 hours of associate degree course work and earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. To be recognized as a Five-Star chapter, Beta Sigma Psi must meet recruitment and enrollment numbers and take part in five levels of engagement and activities that progress from campus to regional and even international involvement.

Two projects were initiated by the PTK chapter that eventually culminated in the achievement of a Five-Star recognition. The first, known as a College Project, was assisting in the creation of a vaccination drive in partnership with the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. The second, known as Honors in Action, was the facilitation of a roundtable discussion with stakeholders from throughout the community on ways to advance racial equity.

Beta Sigma Psi, founded at Spartanburg Community College in 2014, is currently under the youngest leadership in its history, with all five of its officers being students in the Spartanburg County Early College High School program at SCC. The chapter is led by Kishar McBeth (President); Kaylee Warner (Vice President); Jacqueline Perez Bravo (Vice President of Service); Kwame Fields (Secretary); and Kiley Hawkins (Little Library Steward). At the time of their induction, all officers were either 15 or 16 years old.

“This means a great deal to me and my fellow officers,” said Kishar McBeth. “Given that my fellow officers and I are only 16 and 17 years old, we came in blindly, but we have committed to make ourselves useful and really tackle pressing issues through the powers of our offices. So, to learn that we have reached Five-Star status is truly a distinct and extraordinary honor for all of us in the Beta Sigma Psi Chapter.”

Moving forward, Beta Sigma Psi is working on recruiting more eligible students on campus, creating awareness, and developing more opportunities for their members and alumni. Furthermore, the chapter is exploring fundraising opportunities to attend a gathering of PTK chapters from across the country in Denver, Colorado.

This is just the next in a string of achievements for SCC’s PTK chapter. In 2021, the Beta Sigma Psi chapter was further recognized for excellence as the 2021 Advisor Team of the Year. SCC’s chapter advisors include Warren “Tim" Arnold, music instructor; Dr. Akash Garg, biology instructor; and Katie Marchbanks, speech instructor.