By Gregory S.O. Clarke, Day Vice President, Phi Theta Kappa Organization

 The newly established Honors House is the home of the Honors Program and the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society Chapter at LaGuardia. The Honors House was conceived by the Division of Academic Affairs, with support from the Division of Enrollment Management and Student Development, to strengthen greatly the link between the Honors Program and the Honor Society for mutual benefit. 

Located in the MB46 complex of offices, it serves as a one-stop shop for the needs of honors students and Phi Theta Kappa members. The offices are equipped with computer resources as well as a conference/study hall dedicated to serve as a place where honor students can engage in intellectually stimulating dialogue. Upon visiting the Honors House, students will notice a great deal of information about the Honors Program, the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, International Studies/Study Abroad Program, scholarships, and various student activities that help to enhance the student’s character. The Honors House serves as a platter of information ready to be indulged by students looking for a more enriching and rewarding college experience.

The Honors Program is designed to enhance the LaGuardia experience for highly motivated students. It is for students who want the most out of college and who desire stimulating academic challenges. As its director, Dr. Mohammad-Reza Fakhari brings his expertise in academic enrichment and support to the students that seek his aid in building a strong track record. The Honors Program prepares students for four-year college level work and helps to create better transfer opportunities for them. The intensified courses condition the minds of honors students for work under pressure and, as a result, motivate students to become more effective planners and organizers. These are traits that are needed to be successful in today’s demanding and competitive economy. 

The Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, which was established in 1918, is a fraternity that serves community colleges throughout the United States as well as a few foreign countries. The Honor Society strives to recognize and encourage scholarship among associate degree students. It also provides opportunities for the development of leadership and service, promotes an intellectual atmosphere to exchange ideas and ideals, encourages lively fellowship for scholars, and stimulates interest in continuing academic excellence. 

The Alpha Theta Phi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at LaGuardia is dedicated to providing an engine to stimulate the minds of students ready to take advantage of the benefits and steer their lives in a challenging direction. Comprised of a hard working, intellectual, and diverse group of officers—Karlene Ferron, president; Gregory Clarke, day vice president; Elena Behar, day vice president, Suzette Salmon, extended day vice president; Todd Stock, secretary; Justin Agbata, communications officer; and Martha Camargo, publications officer—the chapter is well equipped with minds truly capable of building that engine. The chapter’s advisors, Dr. Fakhari and Dr. Jerry G. Ianni, serve as guides and mentors, with their strong commitment and support to the officers and chapter, they beyond a doubt complete the circle. 

The Honors House serves as a gateway that introduces students to the next level of community college experience: the honors level. It is a central location where scholars and highly motivated students can come together to exchange ideas, use the transfer/scholarship/research resources, view Phi Theta Kappa Honors Study Topic Satellite Seminar Series, encourage and support each other, receive and provide tutoring and mentoring, and get involved in rewarding activities and events. A host of social and intellectual activities is being planned for the Honors House. Since the International Studies Program is also located in the Honors House, some of these activities will aim to promote global awareness and understanding on campus. The Phi Theta Kappa chapter officers and the director of the Honors Program are always available, not only to help students join as members or enroll in honors courses, but to also assist them when the “going gets tough.”