ICC’s Phi Theta Kappa Focuses On Student Success

Al Cuizon Jr.

Oct 20, 2022

Throughout the evening, many proposals based on student success and innovation were brought up during the monthly Board of Trustees meeting Thursday, October 20. With topics ranging from the emphasis on minority development and student life to surveys and tax brackets.

No matter the extensiveness of the topics discussed, one that caught the eyes and ears of the Board of Trustees, the Executive Staff and Harbinger Student Media was the almost year-long college project done by one of ICC’s Honor Societies, Phi Theta Kappa (PTK).

Student Trustee and PTK’s Chapter President for ICC, Cassie Keller, conducted a project with two other PTK officers to find out their views on the option of attending college. They also surveyed local high school students about their plans after high school. 

Schools surveyed included Pekin Community High School, Illinois Central Valley High School and Richwoods High School. PTK wanted to examine a broad range of students who either opted in or out of the exploration of attending college. 

Through PTK’s study, many students exclaimed that college was not in their sights, and they were looking into the military, trade, or joining the workforce straight out of high school. Many of the students in PTK’s study exclaimed that they opted against attending a two-year college because of the lack of legacy and family not attending. Many survey students also exclaimed that their reason for not attending college was to take a gap year. Their peers are not attending either, or due to mental health needs. 

The Top Five exclaimed reasons that prevent students from choosing to go to community college are cost, undecided on a career path, mental health (fear, anxiety, stress), don’t desire to spend two more years in school, and taking a gap year.

The purpose of PTK’s study was to emphasize and make aware of these factors, bringing them to light to create possible solutions to getting more students into higher education.