Published

Dr. Marjorie McGuire-Welch

JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, February 10, 2022--Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) will recognize 20 college presidents with the Paragon President Award during PTK Catalyst 2022, the society’s annual convention in Denver, Colorado, April 7-9. Southwestern's president, Dr. Marjorie McGuire-Welch, is among the 20 honorees.

To be eligible for this award, college presidents and CEOs are new in their role having served less than three years. Recipients are nominated by students on their campus and are only eligible to receive the award once. These 20 recipients were selected from among 426 college presidents, chancellors, and CEOs eligible to receive this award.

The award recognizes college presidents who have shown support of student success initiatives leading to stronger pathways to completion, transfer, and employment. They have taken an active interest in supporting high-achieving students and developing student leaders on campus.

“These college presidents have students-first leadership styles and have made it a priority to keep students engaged throughout the pandemic,” says Phi Theta Kappa President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “Their nomination is evidence of the gratitude their PTK students feel for supporting them and students like them—even during the most difficult times.”

The 2022 recipients are:

  • Dr. Kenya Ayers-Palmore, Tarrant County College, Texas
  • Dr. Leah Barrett, Northeast Community College, Nebraska
  • Dr. Linda Braddy, Dallas College, Texas
  • Dr. Anthony Cruz, Miami Dade College, Florida
  • Dr. Karin Edwards, Clark College, Washington
  • Dr. Julie Fickas, St. Louis Community College, Missouri
  • Dr. Eric Friedman, Bergen Community College, New Jersey
  • Mr. Michael Geoghegan, Eastern Gateway Community College, Ohio
  • Ms. Tracy Hartzler, Central New Mexico Community College, New Mexico
  • Dr. Aaron Knight, San Jacinto College, Texas
  • Mrs. Amber Knoettgen, Cloud County Community College, Kansas
  • Mr. Nelson Kraft, Georgia Military College, Georgia
  • Ms. Ann Lawler, Scott Community College, Iowa
  • Dr. Marjorie McGuire-Welch, Southwestern Community College, Iowa
  • Dr. Feleccia Moore-Davis, St. Louis Community College, Missouri
  • Dr. Stacey Moore, York Technical College, South Carolina
  • Dr. Mary Reese, Suffolk County Community College, New York
  • Dr. Ryan Ruda, Garden City Community College, Kansas
  • Dr. Janet Spriggs, Forsyth Technical Community College, North Carolina
  • Dr. Tim Taylor, Shawnee Community College, Illinois

About Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.