OrionnaBrumfield
Staff Writer
Phi Theta Kappa Day, an event that honors the top community college students from around the globe, was held on April 1, 2016 at Jackson State University.
JSU welcomed the honors transfer students with activities that introduced the students to the many benefits of attending the university. Phi Theta Kappa members are eligible for many benefits, including full room, board, and tuition scholarships.
Paul Scott, community college recruiter at Jackson State, is responsible for inviting students from across the country by whatever method possible: via email, text, social media, and even campus visits, in an effort to recruit students to attend JSU.
During the all day event, the students met and spoke to various members of the administration, faculty, staff and current JSU students, who encouraged the students to choose JSU to continue their academic journey.
During the luncheon, Dr. Evelyn J. Leggette, provost and senior vice president for academic and student affairs, discussed the benefits of attending JSU, including the classroom’s innovative learning.
“We have a unit that is dedicated to cyber learning. We have gone beyond the regular way of teaching and learning. We are in the clouds,” said Dr. Leggette.
Dr. Loria Gordon, dean of W.E.B. Du Bois Honors College, also extended an invitation to the students stating that the Honors College automatically accepts incoming transfer students who are Phi Theta Kappa members.
“The honors philosophy is that the more contacts you have with students, the larger the impact on the their collegiate success. Thus we text, email and call about our knowledge of various types of opportunities, research and industry internships, study abroad, jobs, scholarships, research presentations, community service projects, and etc. Ask an Honors College student about their messages and they will tell you we get too much. I say better to much communication, contacts, than not any at all,” said Dr. Gordon.
Maya Lewis, a Holmes Community College graduate who is now a marketing major at Jackson State also spoke with the students during the event.
“[Jackson State] has been a wonderful experience, everyone is so nice, and it has opened me up to different opportunities. I got to experience college life. Since my community college had no dorms, I did not get to socialize with people and now I can. I get to meet different people and really reap the benefits of my hard work especially by being a member of Phi Theta Kappa” said Lewis.
There were many students impressed with the love they received from Jackson State during the event.
“I feel very honored because the other school I was looking into did not really offer anything like this. Jackson State offering this and me being able to be here is a blessing honestly. I do not know what to expect, but [I want] to expect the best because Jackson State is so welcoming and its kind of reminds me a little of home,” said Joya’Nicole Coggins, a psychology student at Olive Harvey Community College in Chicago, Ill.
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