NTCC student Monse Rivero-Sanchez currently serves as the International Vice-President for Division II of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. In that capacity, she has the opportunity to travel and speak before groups in a wide variety of locations. She was recently the keynote speaker at the Fall Minn-Kota Regional Conference held October 11-12 on the campus of St Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota. The Minn-Kota Region of Phi Theta Kappa consists of 30 chapters in the states of Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
About the experience, Monse noted “I was able to be the keynote speaker two days in a row in the Minn-kota Leadership Conference, it was an amazing experience (cold but amazing). I got to meet and connect with so many members, hear their stories and spread the importance of going to community college and how to encourage others to go to community college. They provided a safe space for me to share my story, my obstacles, and how I got so far. I got to mention the people that changed my life, many coming from our staff and faculty at NTCC, and how NTCC was a life changing opportunity.”
On the first day of the conference, Monse, as an international officer representing the international organization, gave an update on activities from Phi Theta Kappa headquarters. During Day 2 the future educational curriculum specialist led the whole conference in an interactive “Leading Through Conflict” presentation. Throughout the Conference she had the chance to fellowship and interact with members from throughout the region, including a fun bowling activity.
Monse summed up the event by stating “My whole experience was amazing, and I just consider myself blessed for having such a big support system that allows me to have this experience in my life.”
Phi Theta Kappa offers experiences in its four hallmarks: leadership, scholarship, service, and fellowship. Founded in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa is the official honor society of two-year colleges and has chapters in the United States and ten other nations. Membership is by invitation only and is based on having a cumulative GPA of 3.50 after having completed 12 college credit hours. For more information about the organization, please visit . For more information about NTCC’s chapter, see the chapter Facebook page or advisors Dr. Melissa Fulgham mfulgham@ntcc.edu, Dr. Maryna Svirska-Otero msvirskaotero@ntcc.edu or Professor Athena Hayes ahayes@ntcc.edu.
