April 2007
Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) student Casey Maliszewski of Stockton has been named international president of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK). PTK is the international honor society for two-year colleges whose members excel in both academics and community service. The organization has more two million members and 1,200 chapters.
Maliszewski, 22, was elected international president during the organization's 89th International Convention, held April 12-14 in Nashville, Tennessee. Maliszewski, who is past president of RVCC's Phi Theta Kappa chapter, also serves as the organization's New Jersey state president. She is also vice-president of membership for RVCC's PTK chapter.
"I've gotten so much inspiration and motivation from Phi Theta Kappa and its members that I hope to give back the same level of inspiration that I have received," said Maliszewski. "Having so many people tell me they were supporting me was even more overwhelming than winning" the election, she added.
"The entire RVCC community is extremely proud of Casey Maliszewski for achieving this incredible goal," said RVCC President Dr. Casey Crabill, who attended last week's International Convention in Nashville. "Casey is a campus leader in every sense of the word. Her grades earned her membership in Phi Theta Kappa, but her skills and her involvement earned her the leadership role, along with the respect of students, faculty and staff," Dr. Crabill continued.
As international president Maliszewski will act as an "ambassador for Phi Theta Kappa," she explained. Her role will include a great deal of traveling, attending conferences and making presentations. She also provides support for other PTK regional officers and members.
Maliszewski is set to receive a degree in English from RVCC next month. Next year she will continue her studies at the College and pursue a second degree in social science. She plans to transfer to a four-year college or university in the Fall of '08 and eventually attend law school.
Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in American higher education. The organization has 1,200 chapters located in all 50 states of the United States, U.S. territories, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Germany, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, United Arab Emirates and Palau.
RVCC's chapter also garnered several honors at last week's International Convention. PTK members Stephanie Poynter and Rosie Tangtrakul won Distinguished Chapter Officer and Distinguished Chapter Member, respectively.
RVCC's Computer Science Assistant Professor Steven Schwarz received the Paragon Award for New Advisor, and Mary Sullivan, RVCC executive director of Student Life and Civic Engagement, won the first Distinguished Administrator Award. RVCC's PTK chapter was also named to the top 100 chapters.
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