RCC welcomes student leaders from across Carolinas for PTK Honors Institute
ASHEBORO (Aug. 21, 2026) — Randolph Community College (RCC) welcomed students, advisors, and guests from North and South Carolina for the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Carolinas Region Honors Institute, held June 26-28. The three-day event brought together 82 attendees from 13 colleges, along with 16 alumni volunteers, to explore this year’s Honors Study Topic, “What’s Next: Imagining the Future,” under the theme “Ignite Curiosity, Inspire Action.”
The Honors Institute is one of PTK’s immersive educational experiences, giving members the opportunity to explore the annual Honors Study Topic through learning, collaboration, and leadership development. This year marked RCC’s first time hosting the Carolinas Region event.
“This Honors Institute is an example of what happens when access to opportunity leads students toward success, leadership, and service,” President/CEO Dr. Shah Ardalan said. “We were proud to welcome student leaders from across North and South Carolina to Randolph Community College and give them a place to exchange ideas, challenge themselves, and imagine what comes next. I am especially proud of our Phi Theta Kappa officers, advisors, faculty, and staff, whose leadership and hospitality demonstrated the excellence we expect from RCC.”
Throughout the weekend, participants worked in small groups on mock Honors in Action projects inspired by the Honors Study Topic. Each of the eight groups developed a research-focused, community-centered project, identifying challenges, evaluating possible solutions, and developing ideas to address needs within their communities. Working alongside students they may not have previously met challenged participants not only to think about the future of their communities, but also to consider the role they could play in shaping it.
The weekend also combined academics with creative expression through interactive workshops, debate, Readers Theatre, and a student talent showcase. A presentation by students from Surry Community College focused on communication and teamwork, while the debate challenged participants to develop and defend evidence-based perspectives on whether community service should be required for high school and higher education students.
RCC co-hosted the Institute with Stanly Community College and Central Carolina Community College. Dr. Heather Eddy, PTK Carolinas Region Regional Coordinator; Jennifer Fox, Assistant Regional Coordinator; and members of the Alpha Omega Carolinas Alumni Association worked with volunteers and RCC representatives to prepare for the event.
RCC PTK chapter officers also took an active role in hosting their fellow students, helping with registration, directing attendees, preparing materials and signage, answering questions, and working behind the scenes throughout the weekend. Dr. Lisa Johnson, RCC Vice President of Learning & Workforce Development; Dr. Lisa Carlson, RCC Vice President of Student Success; and Clark Adams, RCC PTK advisor, welcomed participants and gave opening remarks.
On the final day, the eight Honors in Action teams presented their completed projects before judges and fellow participants, showcasing the research, collaboration, and creativity developed throughout the weekend. The Institute concluded with scholarship announcements and recognition of student achievements.
Following the event, Eddy praised RCC’s hospitality and professionalism and commended the faculty, staff, advisors, and PTK student officers who helped make participants feel welcome. She noted that the weekend reflected PTK’s hallmarks of scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship and reinforced a message she shared with students throughout the Institute: Strive for excellence rather than perfection.
Participants returned to their home campuses with new ideas, connections, and opportunities to apply what they learned through scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship. For RCC’s Beta Theta Rho chapter, hosting the Institute offered its officers an opportunity to put those same principles into practice while welcoming fellow student leaders from across the Carolinas.
RCC’s PTK chapter extends its gratitude to Eddy, the co-host institutions, advisors, alumni, volunteers, presenters, and participants who helped make the 2026 Carolinas Region PTK Honors Institute a success.
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About Beta Theta Rho: Randolph Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter, Beta Theta Rho, is in its 26th year and has proudly maintained 5-Star status, the society’s highest level of achievement, for 22 consecutive years. Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society for two-year colleges, recognizing outstanding students and fostering scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship.
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About Randolph Community College: Randolph Community College (RCC), under the leadership of President/CEO Dr. Shah Ardalan, is committed to providing relevant career training and educational opportunities. Ranked No. 1 in North Carolina by Niche.com, the College offers affordable degrees and short-term certificate programs that start throughout the year, both in person and online. To register, visit randolph.edu/register or call 336-633-0200 and expect to engage with the most competent and compassionate team of faculty and staff.