Venus John Campaigns for Phi Theta Kappa Vice Presidency

She’s an NJ Star. She shares her name with the brightest planet in the sky. And this weekend, Venus John reaches the apex of the campaign she launched to be elected International Division I Vice President of Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society for two-year colleges.

“I love the impact you can make as a leader,” says Venus. “Anytime you pour your heart into something and are genuinely committed, you can inspire others and give back to the community.”

Venus and her campaign team from Alpha Eta Chi, PCCC’s chapter of PTK, are in Kansas City, Missouri this weekend for Catalyst 2025, the annual PTK convention where the elections will be held. Venus is competing against three other candidates for the role of International Division I Vice President. (Read more)

If she wins the election, Venus says her priority goal is “To empower others through collaborative teamwork that enables people to grow and to help others grow.”

Her campaign theme, “Café Venus” reflects Venus’ belief that everyone has a place at the table. Her campaign slogan, “When We Come Together, Success Is On The Menu,” is a lesson she learned through her personal and PCCC experiences.

“I chose a food theme, because food is so important to community,” says Venus. Whenever I think of food from my childhood, I feel the love, especially from the food my grandparents served.  It’s the intention in the food. Food is what brings us together.”  

Venus came to PCCC through the NJ Stars (New Jersey Student Tuition Assistance Reward Scholarship) program. Graduating in the top 15 per cent of her high school class qualified Venus for the program, which covers her complete tuition at a county college.

“Coming to PCCC has been smartest and best choice I made,” says Venus.  I would tell anyone to come here. You will find a supportive community that will help to uplift you and to ensure you that you will be ready for the years that come after.”

A physical science major, Venus plans to become a sports medicine doctor one day. In fact, she is recovering from an injury she sustained in a fencing competition last summer. “I know what it’s like, and I want to help others with their injuries,” she said.

Venus took to the sport of fencing, because she wanted to get involved in something unique. “Fencing has been pivotal in my life,” she says. “I like that I can be an individual, but also part of a team, and fencing helped me to realize the importance of having community and supporting others.”

Initially shy when she entered PCCC, Venus opened up through her involvement with PTK, where she loved the collaborative spirit and social nature of the group. She talks excitedly about an Honors-in-Action project that focused on “the architecture of play,” and a Middle States convention where she met PTK members from other chapters.

Venus radiates enthusiasm and appreciation for both the experiences she had and the guidance of her chapter leaders Dr. Jennifer Gasparino and Mr. Andy Perales.  “I admire them so much and want to do what they do…make every person feel welcome and empowered.”

Active in STEM, Venus recently competed in the annual sySTEMic competition where teams from various area colleges innovated solutions to stop the spread of malaria. Though her team didn’t win (a different PCCC team took top prize), Venus thrived in the collaboration and felt gratified that they were working on a project to benefit the people of Nigeria where malaria is a constant threat.

“My mother taught us to always be of service wherever we can,” says Venus, one of three siblings. As a volunteer with the Totowa Emergency Squad, she loves helping to calm frightened patients and be part of their recovery.  

At PCCC’s recent Scholarship Celebration, Venus was awarded the Morton Family Scholarship for Women in STEM and the World Organization for Positive Action Scholarship.  “I very grateful for these scholarships,” she says. “They mean so much to me.”

This weekend, Venus will deliver her final speech at Catalyst concluding a campaign that could catapult her to a vice presidency in the Phi Theta Kappa organization.

“I was nervous when I first made the speech, but now I feel confident about telling my story. It’s important to just stay genuine and feel the love from my community.” Go Venus!  We are PCCC proud of you.

Written by Linda Telesco; Photo by Page Saunders