LITTLETON, Colo. (June 29, 2012) - The Sigma Phi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Arapahoe Community College has received "Five Star Chapter" recognition for the 2011-12 school year, as announced by the Phi Theta Kappa national office.

Phi Theta Kappa's Five Star Chapter development plan serves as a blueprint for developing strong chapters, improving student engagement on campus and recognizing progress in the attainment of goals set by the chapter.  Using the Five Star plan as a guide, chapters enhance their strategies to recognize eligible students, provide significant personal and professional development opportunities for members (through Honors in Action), and build a working relationship with college administration by becoming active on campus and in the community.  As chapters reach these milestones, they progress through each level of the Five Star plan, ultimately reaching the pinnacle Five Star level.

Sigma Phi partnered with Arapahoe Community College’s administration, faculty, staff, the ACC Foundation and other student clubs in the Operation ACC Completion – “Follow the Purple Brick Road” initiative during the 2011-12 school year.  Students and advocates of this initiative were asked to sign a "purple brick" in support of associate degree / certificate completion.  The purple bricks were used to construct a traveling wall, which was created to signify to ACC students that they have enduring support in their academic environment to complete their degree or certificate program.  The traveling wall subsequently served as an on-stage backdrop at ACC’s May 2012 commencement ceremony.  Sigma Phi facilitated multiple events on Nov. 16-17, 2011, at the Littleton Campus as part of the Operation ACC Completion festivities.

Phi Theta Kappa, the International Honor Society for two-year colleges, is the largest honor society in American higher education.  The Sigma Phi Chapter at ACC was chartered in 1968 and has inducted more than 3,450 members since its inception.  Sigma Phi has retained its "Five Star Chapter" status for over 15 years.  Dr. Erica Hastert serves as the Sigma Phi Chapter faculty advisor at ACC.

For more information, please contact Communications Coordinator Jeff Duggan at 303.797.5709 or jeff.duggan@arapahoe.edu.