JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI- Athens Technical College’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter Alpha Tau Zeta has been published in the sixth edition of Change Makers: Phi Theta Kappa Journal of Student Leadership, a national publication recognizing outstanding student-led leadership initiatives at community colleges.
Published annually by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK), Change Makers highlights College Projects that demonstrate student leadership, campus collaboration, and meaningful impact on local communities. This year’s edition features just 16 projects selected from over 450 chapter submissions across PTK’s global membership.
“These projects begin with a simple question: What does our college need, and how can students help?” said Chief Student Engagement Officer, Dr. Samantha Levy. “The answers are different on every campus, but each project shows what PTK members can accomplish when they listen, lead, and work alongside their college community.”
Alpha Tau Zeta’s project, “Sun’s Gonna Come Up: GED Toolkits for Incarcerated Learners,” supported General Educational Development (GED) completion among incarcerated learners by raising awareness of the college’s GED Jail Program. Working with the college, the Athens-Clarke County Jail, and the Sheriff’s Office, chapter members led a campus drive for school supplies and study materials.
The drive collected notebooks, writing supplies, GED study guides, and cash donations, which the chapter delivered to partner sites to support 50 incarcerated learners. The partnership also led the Sheriff to agree to keynote the chapter’s Spring 2026 induction ceremony.
The chapter’s leadership project can be read here: Change Makers 2026 Edition.
“The College Project gives our students a chance to demonstrate leadership in action,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “They work alongside college leaders to identify a need, build a response, and make a difference on their campuses. Along the way, they see that their ideas and their leadership matter.”
About Phi Theta Kappa
Phi Theta Kappa is the first honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 220,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.