Meet The Candidates for PTK Presidents

It’s Women’s History Month 2026, and PCCC is proud to introduce two young women who are running for presidencies in Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for two-year colleges.

Andrea Pizarro is a business/marketing major who is campaigning to become International President of PTK.  Isabella Gonzalez, a psychology major, seeks the office of Middle States Regional President.

Both are Hispanic immigrants who knew little English when they arrived in the US and started PCCC as ESL students to learn the language. Through persistence and hard work, they are now honor students, each with a strong record of campus service and involvement. Andrea and Isabella also credit much of their success to their involvement with Alpha Eta Chi, the PCCC chapter of PTK, which is renowned as one of the highest performing PTK chapters worldwide.

About Andrea – “PTK became my family and my support,” says Andrea. “When I couldn’t speak the language or share my opinions and thoughts, they assured me that I would improve and supported me as I learned.”   Andrea is currently the Executive Public Relations officer of Alpha Eta Chi. She has served as a presenter for numerous PTK events and was the speaker for the 2025 Honors-in-Action PTK project.

In addition to her many achievements and community service projects, Andrea is the recipient of two PCCC scholarships and of a 2025 SGA (Student Government Association) Leadership Award for her service as a work study.

Encouraged by her PTK advisors and fellow members, Andrea made the bold decision to run for international president. “I want to represent students who, like me, have a lot of potential but are afraid to express themselves in English. I want to tell them, “You can succeed and can even discover potential you didn’t know you had.”

A dance teacher when she lived in Peru, Andrea says that dance has been her guiding thread since childhood. “Dancing is more than art,” she says. “It is identity, discipline and connection.”  Andrea’s campaign slogan, “Dancing Toward Unity,” reflects her belief that leadership, like dance, is about “reading patterns, feeling your people, and stepping forward with intention.”  

Meet Isabella – Like Andrea, Isabella also felt shy about speaking when she first came to PCCC, but she found support at PTK. “The people here made me feel comfortable and always encouraged me to keep going,” she said.

Currently, Isabella is Vice President of Academic Engagement at Alpha Eta Chi. She is a scholarship recipient who has mentored scholars from PCCC’s DREAM honors program, supported fundraising events for the College, and participated in the Middle States Region Summer Institute and Fall Leadership Conference.  

Isabella was encouraged to run for the office of president of the Middle States Region, one of PTK’s 28 international regions, when she connected with Maria Posada, a PCCC alumna, and former Middle States regional president, who currently works at PCCC as the DREAM Scholars (honors program) senior navigator and Alpha Eta Chi Alumni Association president.

 “Maria was the regional president before, so she understands the job, and she suggested that I think about it,” said Isabella. “When I saw Maria’s confidence and how she and other PTK officers express themselves, I decided that I want to be like that, too.”   

If elected, Isabella says her goal is “to help others feel visible, seen, and empowered.”  At a TED Talk in New York City, Isabella was impressed by the women presenters who shared personal stories of struggle and success. “I saw how being vulnerable can enable others to identify with you and be inspired by your story.

An avid reader since her high school years in Colombia, Isabella chose Books as her campaign theme. “Books can teach us a lot about life,” she says, referencing the bestseller Midnight Library by Matt Haig about an unhappy suicidal woman who, through a magical library, experiences different versions of how her life could have been if she had made other choices. She ultimately chooses to remain in her actual life and take steps to improve it. “This book shows the power we all have to change things,” says Isabella.

Andrea and Isabella, who is also passionate about dance, will choreograph their way to  PTK’s annual international conference, Catalyst, to be held this year March 26-28 at the  Baltimore Conference Center in Maryland where, along with other candidates, they will continue their campaigns and elections will be held.  We are PCCC Proud of Andrea and Isabella and wish them continued success!   

Learn more about Phi Theta Kappa at PCCC

Written by Linda Telesco
Photos by Page Saunders