Dual Enrollment Student Chosen For Leadership Role In Cleveland State's Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

When Dual Enrollment Student Emily Phillips first heard about Cleveland State’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK), she did not think she could join, being 16 years old at the time. But when she received her invitation, she jumped at the chance to be involved in a college organization even though she was technically still in high school!

Ms. Phillips had gone to Fairview Christian Academy in Athens for many years before being homeschooled under the Christian Academy of Knoxville (CAK). She wanted a change and decided to take one dual enrollment course through Cleveland State. After making her first A in a college level course, she decided to enroll in five dual enrollment classes. It was at this time that she was invited to join PTK.

“Ms. Michelle Jenkins (Former PTK Advisor) told me all about PTK. She told me if I got an invitation that I should definitely do it. I also had classes with some students who were already involved in PTK, and they said the same thing. They helped me learn more about it.”

Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society that recognizes the achievement among students at two year colleges. The largest honor society in the world, PTK membership is by invitation only, and membership is offered in fall and spring to students that show outstanding academic performance.

Ms. Phillips was able to participate in both the Regional and the National Conventions for PTK this year before she was even inducted into the organization. “The conventions were really cool because there were so many people, and everyone was so excited about learning and being at the top of their class. They were all so positive, outgoing and encouraging.”
            Because of her heavy involvement with PTK, as well as the CSCC Athens Center, she was recommended to be an officer for the organization. Currently, she assists with the fundraising aspect of PTK and serves as the Athens Center Officer.
            “Emily Phillips will become the Athens/Fundraising officer for the 2015-16 year,” stated Michelle Jenkins, Former PTK Advisor. “Emily is a very impressive young lady and already involved with civic and other organizations. With leaders like Emily at the helm, I’m confident Phi Theta Kappa will soar to new heights.”

Ms. Phillips stated, “I really enjoy PTK and Cleveland State, in general. It is honestly the first time I have really enjoyed school. Although I have always loved the social experience of school, I never truly enjoyed the academic side until now. When I got home from school on my first day at Cleveland State, it felt so weird to say, ‘Hey Mom! I really like school!’ but I do!”

Ms. Phillips said the thing she likes most about CSCC is that whenever she has a question, they always have an answer. If they don’t, they will find someone who does.

“I also like that CSCC does not treat me like I am still in high school,” stated Ms. Phillips. “They treat me like everyone else. They don’t spoon feed me here. I am treated like a regular college student. They are always ready and willing to help. I don’t have to feel intimidated at all. Whenever I had a question, I always went to Ms. Michelle (Jenkins). She acted like my advisor—always helping me through everything. She told me what classes I needed to take in order to graduate with my associate’s.”  

After three semesters, Ms. Phillips has completed 36 hours of coursework through Cleveland State, all while maintaining an impressive 3.71 grade point average. In addition to her rigorous academic schedule, she has also been involved in competitive shotgun shooting for the past two and a half years. She won first place at the regional, state and national levels.

“I watched my brothers for many years, and the older I got, the more I understood the point of it and what they were trying to do. As soon as I started, it was very easy for me to pick up the steps. Because I had never hunted or shot or anything, I had no bad habits.”

Ms. Phillips said although she can beat both of her older brothers now, they have finally accepted it. “One time, Dad asked my brother, Michah if he wanted to go shoot, and he said, ‘No, I don’t feel like getting beat today.”’

Ms. Phillips also interns for the Advocate and Democrat newspaper, models for different businesses in the Monroe County area and works at Benton Sporting Clays on weekends.

In addition to her paid jobs, she also does extensive volunteer work through the United Way, helping with projects for disabled veterans and children. She also volunteers for Head Start and Sweetwater Primary where she dresses up as different characters and spends time reading to children.

She is the daughter of Cody and Stephanie Phillips of Sweetwater. She has one sister, Bethany, 27, of Knoxville, and two brothers, Ben, 21, and Michah, 20, of Sweetwater.