Vicki Riley takes on Washington
By Yuliana Rangel, Staff Writer
Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two-year colleges, strives to motivate student achievement, and it can help lead students to four-year degrees, as well.
At North Lake College, the local chapter is Alpha Zeta Eta, which has taken members to many places, including the halls of Congress.
Vicki Riley, current president of Alpha Zeta Eta, has seen how her involvement evolved from simply wanting to boost her resume to wanting to make a difference in the world.
Riley entered college to sharpen her computer skills, but soon learned that membership in Phi Theta Kappa can help students attend a four-year school. She later became the local chapter’s assistant vice president for service and eventually was elected president.
Her continued involvement with the chapter has led to job offers, educational and professional training, and the confi dence to tackle a four-year degree.
Recently, Riley was nominated by North Lake College to go to Washington, D.C., and speak to members of Congress about the differences that the Dallas County Community College District has made in her life.
Riley, along with students from Cedar Valley College and Richland College, was chosen by the district to make the trip to Washington, where she told lawmakers that community colleges can make powerful and positive differences in a young person’s life.
This semester, Riley is helping recruit more North Lake students into Alpha Zeta Eta, which is scheduled to induct new members April 12. In March, the North Lake chapter of Phi Theta Kappa will take approximately 30 members to a regional onvention. All students interested in joining the honor society are welcome to stop by A-206 each Friday at 4:30 p.m. for the chapter’s general meeting.
For more nformation, please contact Riley at vikkii@ putershop.com.