Alpha Eta Chi Celebrates 44th Annual Induction Ceremony
Over 400 students were inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society in PCCC’s 44th PTK Induction Ceremony on May 18, 2026. Among them were 20 high school students from the Dual Enrollment program.
Alpha Eta Chi, the PCCC chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa international honor society for two-year colleges, celebrated not only its 44th anniversary but also an incredible year of achievement that saw the chapter rise to the number two spot among over 3,000 chapters internationally.
“We’re truly proud of Alpha Eta Chi,” said Tom Moore the assistant dean of Career, Professional Readiness & Experiential Learning who also oversees the PTK chapter, to the PTK members, inductees, and guests attending the ceremony on the Main Campus.
Commending the 2025-2026 leadership team for facing challenges with dedication and fortitude, Mr. Moore noted, “This year brought a lot of change, but they didn’t pack up and go home,” he continued. “They leaned in and had one of our best years ever.”
Among the changes he mentioned, were the departure of PTK’s longtime and beloved faculty advisor Dr. Jennifer Gasparino and the passing of PCCC’s three-decade president, Dr. Steven Rose, who was a tremendous supporter of Alpha Eta Chi.
Dr. Jacqueline Kineavy, interim president of PCCC, noted that Alpha Eta Chi was established in 1982 based on the four hallmarks of Phi Theta Kappa: Scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship. She noted the chapter has been in the top 100 of PTK chapters in 2016, and continually from 2018 to 2025. “This year, 2026, this chapter was ranked second Most Distinguished Chapter internationally.”
Addtionally, Professor Andy Perales was voted a Distinguished Chapter Advisor of PTK. Professor Perales paid tribute to Dr. Rose who served on the Presidential Advisory Board of the PTK Board of Directors. “He was our greatest champion and our biggest supporter, and I want to thank him for all he has done for us.”
Professor Perales told the audience, “PTK opens doors,” alluding to the scholarships and leadership opportunities that members enjoy.
Christy Sarmiento ’25, was named to last year’s New Jersey All-State Academic Team and announced the two Alpha Eta Chi members, Ashkena Novo Roa and Danielle Krumbein, who had made this year’s team, composed of only 38 students from all PTK chapters in the state.
Fransheska Rodriguez, a 2024-2025 chapter president and a recipient of the PTK Hites Transfer Scholarship, announced this year’s Hites recipient: Danielle Krumbein. One of the coveted PTK scholarships, the Hites is a $7,500 award that recognizes academic achievement and rigor, engagement in college and community activities, and leadership accomplishments of members who plan to transfer into a bachelor’s degree program. Danielle also previously received an $84,000 full scholarship to Rider University, where she will pursue studies in psychology.
In another highlight Pricelda Martinez, the Alpha Eta Chi chapter president, announced that
for the 10th year, the chapter has achieved 5-Star status, ranking among the best PTK chapters worldwide.
Guest speaker Maria Posada ’25, the Alpha Eta Chi Alumni President told her PTK success story. An immigrant from Colombia, Maria said, “I moved from Colombia to start from zero in a country I had never set foot in.” She resumed an education that was paused for a time at PCCC. At the invitation of a friend, Maria attended a PTK fellowship, and eventually joined. “I am living proof that it has the power to completely transform a life.” At PTK, Maria found a family. “I discovered something else,” she said. “You don’t grow alone. You grow with the help, encouragement, and love of people who genuinely care about you.”
Maria spoke about the leadership positions her fellow PTK members encouraged her to pursue, the letters of recommendation faculty and administrators “took their time to write for me,” and the many ways “someone had my back every step of the way.” There was never competition among them, she said. “Only family lifting each other up and helping each other to become the best versions of themselves.”
A former PTK Middle States Regional President, Maria announced another PCCC student, Isabella Gonzalez, was recently elected the 2026-2027 regional president and will oversee the 38 chapters that make up the PTK Middle States Region.
Following a presentation of awards and introduction of newly elected chapter officials, the inductees were formally welcomed into the Alpha Eta Chi chapter of Phi Theta Kappa.
For a complete list of all awards and recipients please visit Alpha Eta Chi, Success Through the Years – PCCC
Written by Linda Telesco
Photos by Page Saunders
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