Fellowship, Community and Service: PTK Students Recognized With International Awards

April 7, 2026

For many students, college is more than classes and grades — it’s about finding your people. For some members of Phi Theta Kappa at Dallas College, that sense of community, recently led to international recognition for leadership and service.

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), an international honor society for two-year college students, includes over 1,000 Dallas College students across seven award-winning chapters. They are innovators and changemakers who take part in personal and professional development as well as leadership building programs and community service projects. PTK provides a vibrant community where they make connections, build lasting friendships and have access to transfer scholarships.

Last week, 60 students, 15 advisors and two administrators from Dallas College traveled to Baltimore, Maryland, for the international PTK Catalyst 2026 convention. They experienced three full days of networking, education and celebration, and some of them were recognized on the international stage.

For many students, the impact of PTK extends far beyond awards.

Joseph Assani initially joined PTK for the scholarship opportunities, leadership, service and fellowship, but it’s become so much more. Now, it’s like family. “I’ve met beautiful people and made lifelong friends,” he said. “Before joining PTK, I would finish class and go home.”

Assani will graduate in May with a degree in business marketing and is transferring to a university this fall. He said, since joining PTK, his communication and critical thinking skills have grown, and he’s learned to serve people in new ways.

He was recognized by his peers this year as one of only 50 Distinguished Chapter Members at Catalyst. It was an honor he said came as a surprise.

“I didn’t know they would honor me with this amazing award,” he said.

The youngest in a family of six, Assani came to the U.S. from Congo almost four years ago. He said his communication skills have improved greatly through PTK. “It has enhanced my public speaking, and I’ve learned to serve others in a lot of ways. I am more calm, focused and prepared,” he said.

Fernanda Hernandez received international recognition as one of 50 Distinguished Chapter Officers at Catalyst.

“Honestly, it’s the biggest honor I’ve ever gotten,” Hernandez said. “The fact that my fellow officers thought of me for this award is amazing and unbelievable.”

She was born in the U.S. but grew up in Mexico and was lonely when she arrived at Dallas College. She longed for community and wanted to improve her leadership and social skills, so she joined PTK.

“Every single opportunity has enhanced my college journey,” she said. “It’s been amazing meeting people from so many different backgrounds. PTK has opened my eyes to possibilities.”

While trips around Texas and to Kansas City and Baltimore were eye-opening, she said one of her most meaningful experiences was taking part in a clothing drive to support people experiencing homelessness.

“I was a timid person. PTK helped me have confidence in myself to talk to other students, my professors and other people,” said Hernandez.

She will graduate from Dallas College in May and transfer to the University of North Texas in her drive to become a child psychologist.

Among Dallas College PTK honors in 2026:

• All seven Dallas College chapters were named Five Star Chapters, recognized for Excellence in Research and Action and received Campus Impact Awards.
• Six of the seven Dallas College PTK chapters were named REACH Rewards chapters for excellence in membership development. Three were named top 100 chapters.
• Maria Boccalandro, dean of special academic programs, was named Administrator of the Year and she was inducted into the Texas Hall of Honor for PTK administrators.
• Sherry Boyd received PTK’s 2026 Continued Excellence Award for advisors and Award of Service.
• Rebekah Benavides, advisory board chair, was recognized for outstanding leadership and service to the Texas Region Advisory Board and received an Award of Service.
• Jennifer McGuire was named to the Advisors Hall of Honors.
• Valentine Anuligo was selected as a 2026 Phi Theta Kappa Guistwhite Scholar and will receive a $5,000 scholarship.
• Beniela Djereke was selected as a 2026 Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholar and will receive a $1,300 scholarship.
• Lilian Cordero Lopez was named the 2025 Phi Theta Kappa Global Leaders of Promise Scholar and will receive a $1,000 scholarship.  
• Ashmita Bogati was selected as a 2025 Oberndorf Lifeline to Completion Scholar.
• Subah Saiara Ahmed advanced to the semi-finals for the PTK International Officer and delivered a speech at the convention. Read more about Ahmed in this blog post.
• Fernanda Hernandez and Jaime Campos were named Distinguished Chapter Officers.
• Izzy Aguinaga and Joseph Assani were named Distinguished Chapter Members.
• Numerous other Dallas College chapters were recognized for their projects and actions, while several students won competitive awards in other categories.

Assani has some advice for any student thinking about joining PTK.

“You will meet some great people, have a lot of fun and learn to be more focused and prepared,” he said. “PTK can contribute to everything that you dream of for your future.”

As Dallas College students continue to lead, serve and support one another, PTK remains a place where academic achievement turns into lifelong opportunity.

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