From West Hills College

West Hills College now has its own chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Beta Upsilon Phi, and a group of 10 students became the first members from WHCC during a special induction ceremony.

Phi Theta Kappa, founded in 1918, is recognized as the official honor society for community colleges by the American Association of Community Colleges. Membership is based on academic achievement and is conferred by invitation of the local chapter.

“The staff and faculty at West Hills College Coalinga are proud to have an official chapter,” said Carole Goldsmith, president of WHCC. “The support for this is tremendous.  We see this as a significant part of our student success initiatives.”

The group of students signed the chapter charter in the presence of family, friends and college faculty on May 12. The students were the first from WHCC to be inducted into the new chapter. It is the college’s first year as part of Phi Theta Kappa.

The students who received this honor were Kristi Acevedo, Carina Angel, Bryan Cervantes, Chung Wan Leung, Tran Linh, Bea Sofia Lorenzo, Gian Lorenzo, Araceli Melchor, Ashlee Rocha and Carmen Velasquez.

Eligibility requirements for the honor society require students to have a G.P.A. of 3.5 or higher along with 12 completed units. To remain eligible, students must maintain a minimum G.P.A. of 3.25.

“Membership in Phi Theta Kappa is recognition of outstanding academic accomplishments and provides students a competitive edge that distinguishes them from others when seeking transfer to the university and assists with career success,” said Goldsmith. “Thank you to Rob Skaggs and Erin Corea for their work in securing official chapter status from the National Office.”