LCC Honor Society Named Top 100 Chapter
LCC Honor Society Named Top 100 Chapter
By Dr. Twila Quintana and Shalena Bailey
April 24 , 2008
Dr. Twila Quintana receives International Paragon Award for new advisors at the Phi Theta Kappa’s 90th Annual International Convention held in Philadelphia. Dr. Quintana is one of 40 advisors who received this recognition.
Beta Mu Nu Chapter Advisors Cindy Armijo, Dr. Twila Quintana, Chapter President Jesse Baca and members of the Phi Theta Kappa New Mexico Region at the 90th Annual Phi Theta Kappa International Convention held April 2-5 in Philadelphia.
Luna Community College’s Beta Mu Nu Chapter was recently recognized during Phi Theta Kappa’s 90th Annual International Convention held in Philadelphia.
“Even though we as a chapter continuously strive to meet Phi Theta Kappa’s hallmarks of scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship, the magnitude of this distinction for our chapter, school and community is unprecedented,” said Cindy Armijo, LCC Chapter Advisor and New Mexico Interim Regional Coordinator. “Our Beta Mu Nu Chapter was named a ‘Top 100 Chapter’ out of over 1,200 chapters world-wide. As the youngest chapter in our New Mexico region, we are competing against chapters who have been in existence since 1918. This is truly impressive.”
LCC students Jesse Baca, Chapter President and New Mexico Region Northern Vice President, and Shalena Bailey, former Chapter President and former New Mexico Region Secretary, along with Chapter Co-Advisor Dr. Twila Quintana accompanied Armijo to the International Convention.
During the four-day convention, approximately 4,000 students and advisors participated in a multitude of educational forums in the areas of: Phi Theta Kappa Programs, Chapter Success, Beyond the Chapter: Personal and Career Development and Advisor Roundtables.
“I want to take what we’ve learned back to our school to share the information with fellow members to make our chapter and region more successful,” Baca said.
Bailey added: “Every member should attend an International Convention, the energy and excitement is like nothing I’ve ever experienced. Networking is important too, I met so many fellow members from all over the world. These contacts will be great resources for future collaborative efforts.”
Networking opportunities were also available for advisors and regional coordinators.
“After attending a few events at the international level, it’s great to feel the camaraderie that exists between advisors. Some of my colleagues have been advisors for over thirty years, now those are role-models,” said Quintana.
Armijo was recognized by Phi Theta Kappa Executive Director Rod Risley for accepting the New Mexico Regional Coordinator position. As a regional coordinator, Armijo joins an exclusive group of 29 regional coordinators.
International Conventions conclude with the Hallmark Awards Gala, part of the Hallmark Awards Program, which reflects the scholarly ideals of Phi Theta Kappa, serves to recognize superior individual and chapter achievement in society programs. Participation encourages excellence, reflects fairness, recognizes quality, and leads to enhanced student, advisor, and chapter development. In addition to being named a ‘Top 100 Chapter,’ co-advisor Dr. Quintana received an International Paragon Award for new advisors.
Other convention highlights included: time to tour historical sites in Philadelphia and addresses by keynote speakers Christiane Amanpour, CNN Chief International Correspondent; James Rubin, Former Assistant Secretary of State; George Will, Political Columnist; and Best-Selling Author Amy Tan.
“A personal highlight for me was the positive comments I received from Phi Theta Kappa Headquarters staff about the success of the regional conference our chapter hosted earlier in March,” said Armijo. “This example of dedication to producing quality reflects on Luna Community College. As regional coordinator, I hope to establish a program of excellence for community college students throughout New Mexico where their impact can be clearly recognized as benefiting their schools, communities and beyond.”
