Denver – On April 13, 2012, Dr. Nancy J. McCallin was awarded the prestigious Distinguished State Community College Director Award from the national Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.  The award was presented at the organization’s annual convention in Nashville, Tennessee.  The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society is the national honor society for community and junior college students and was established by the American Association of Community Colleges in 1929.

Dr. McCallin was nominated for the award by three students from the Community College of Aurora (CCA):  Ryan Manzanares, Danielle McCusker, and Gingah Palmer.  Student Life Director Angela Tiedeman assisted the students in this effort.

“We nominated Dr. Nancy McCallin in recognition of all the hard work and dedication she has done for the Colorado Community College System and Phi Theta Kappa,” said Manzanaras. “We see her as a distinguished administrator that has contributed to the success of Phi Theta Kappa’s and all students in Colorado.”

The students cited McCallin’s support and generosity in hosting the annual Phi Theta Kappa luncheon and the annual Student Leadership Conference which allows students to be recognized for their achievements and to participate in educational, social, and networking experiences.  They further cite her support and leadership to gain funds for scholarships for the students.  Most of all, they recognize her deep dedication to student success.

“This is one of the finest awards I have received in my career and I thank all of those involved in the nomination process,” said McCallin.  “I am most grateful that this award was the result of being nominated by students.  Being active in Phi Theta Kappa changes students’ lives and teaches them strong leadership skills that they can use throughout their personal and professional lives.  I wholeheartedly support the mission of this valuable organization and am deeply honored.  We have amazing students in the Colorado Community College System and I am very proud of their accomplishments!”

“The Distinguished State Community College Director is presented to an outstanding leader, Dr. Nancy McCallin, who oversees 13 state community colleges serving more than 162,000 students annually; in addition to 1,200 secondary and 800 postsecondary career and technical programs in more than 150 school districts and seven other post-secondary institutions across the state of Colorado,” said Dr. Rod Risley, Executive Director of Phi Theta Kappa. “And, she still finds time to support Phi Theta Kappa, especially the all-Colorado Academic Team and the community college completion initiative.”

The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, headquartered in Jackson, Mississippi, is the largest honor society in higher education with 1,280 chapters on college campuses in all 50 of the United States, plus Canada, Germany, the Republic of Palau, Peru, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the British Virgin Islands, the United Arab Emirates and U.S. territorial possessions. More than 2.5 million students have been inducted since its founding in 1918, with approximately 135,000 students inducted annually.

The mission of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students. To achieve this purpose, Phi Theta Kappa provides opportunity for the development of leadership and service, for an intellectual climate for exchange of ideas and ideals, for lively fellowship for scholars, and for stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence.

The Colorado Community College System comprises the state’s largest system of higher education, serving more than 162,000 students annually. CCCS oversees career and academic programs in the 13 state community colleges and career and technical programs in more than 160 school districts and six other post-secondary institutions. The national Phi Theta Kappa press release is available at http://www.ptk.org/?q=news/mccallin-dist-state-cc-director&destination=node/178163.