Coconino Community College student Alexa Greer is one of 15 recipients of the Phi Theta Kappa Guistwhite Scholarship. Courtesy photo
FLAGSTAFF — Coconino Community College student Alexandra Greer has been selected as a 2017 Phi Theta Kappa Guistwhite Scholar.
Greer was one of 15 recipients of a medallion and a $5,000 scholarship. The recipients were selected by a panel of independent judges from more than 1,800 applicants. Guistwhite Scholars are chosen based on academic achievement, leadership accomplishment and engagement in PTK programs.
“What a special honor,” Greer said. “I applied and really didn’t think I’d get it. I feel like all the energy I’ve been investing into Phi Theta Kappa at a local, national and international level has really paid off.”
“I feel like I’ve really found community and a home with Phi Theta Kappa,” Greer added.
Greer and the other Guistwhite Scholars will be honored at the PTK Catalyst annual convention, April 6-8, in Nashville, Tenn.
Last year, Greer was selected to the All-Arizona Academic Team, and she plans to continue her studies at the University of Arizona in the fall. She is interested in starting a club about social activism and self-love as a student at U of A. She currently serves as the PTK International Vice President for Division IV, which represents community colleges on the west coast.
“This really frees me up to love on people and create community for people who don’t feel like they have it,” Greer said.
The Guistwhite Scholar Program is named in honor of the late Dr. Jack Guistwhite and his widow, Margaret Guistwhite. Guistwhite established the first designated transfer scholarships for PTK members at Florida Atlantic University in 1975. The Guistwhite Scholarships were established by PTK in 1992. Now, more than 750 colleges and universities designate transfer scholarships for thousands of PTK members.
PTK is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of community college students to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.2 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in nine countries.
About Coconino Community College: Coconino Community College faculty and staff are dedicated to promoting an environment of excellence to support students. Since 1991, CCC has served residents across 18,000 square miles of Coconino County. The College has helped create the region’s skilled workforce, with the goal of improving the lives of our residents through workforce development and higher education. CCC has served more than 75,000 students countywide, with two campuses in Flagstaff and an instructional site in Page.
CCC provides affordable tuition and a variety of certificates and degrees including career/technical programs with more than 50 certificate programs and two-year associate degrees in various fields. Those fields include nursing, fire science, law enforcement and business. Additionally, CCC has programs that ease student transition to any of the three state universities.
CCC reaches out to the more rural portions of the County including Williams, the Grand Canyon/Tusayan, Page/Lake Powell, Fredonia, Tuba City and other remote areas on the Navajo, Hopi and Supai Tribal Lands. Instructional sites offer classes through online, in-person and Interactive Television classes to meet the needs of students in these rural and remote areas. Nearly 20 percent of CCC’s students are Native American learners.