The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society will soon honor champions of the student experience at Dallas College: Dr. Linda Braddy, president of Dallas College Brookhaven Campus; Dr. Joe May, chancellor emeritus of Dallas College; and Dr. Beth Nikopoulos, director of Student Life, will receive high honors for their service to students who stand out as leaders on their campuses and in their communities.
Dr. Braddy, president of Dallas College Brookhaven Campus, has been honored with the prestigious Paragon Award for her work helping students achieve success in leadership, academics and charity. She is among 20 college presidents who have been named by the international honor society. PTK will recognize these presidents in April during the organization’s annual convention in Denver.
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society is the oldest, largest and most prestigious honor society that recognizes students pursuing two-year degrees. The organization has helped millions of high-achieving college students earn scholarships, hone their leadership skills and explore varied career paths.
Dr. Braddy said she was inspired by the PTK members at Brookhaven Campus who not only worked to achieve their own goals but helped other students conquer the rigors of their academic challenges. Students pride themselves on uplifting others, particularly during the pandemic, which brought uncertainty to so many on campus, she said.
“We support achievement and preparation for college or [jobs], and we’re committed to all of our students,” said Dr. Braddy, who has served as Brookhaven’s top leader since 2019. She said she is proud to work with the campus’ PTK members and said they should be commended for their service to other students.
“As a college, we have chosen to support students across the spectrum — the high achieving students, as well as students who have faced barriers getting to college,” she said. “This is a collegewide value, that we focus on students who need extra academic support. We have students who are returning adult students who might need to be placed in developmental classes or receive other targeted support. We are here to help them reach their goals.”
Marginalized Students Are Made Visible
The presidents are nominated by students on their respective campuses.
In their nomination application, PTK members praised Dr. Braddy for her contributions to a college project, “Candid Conversations,” in which she identified teachers, staff and students who would be willing contributors. Dr. Braddy also encouraged diversity efforts on campus and created an environment that celebrates success.
Dr. Braddy, the application read, is “committed to student success in all forms (and) wants to see students succeed and celebrate their academic achievements. She connected us to campus marketing resources that help us promote our chapter and the existence of Phi Theta Kappa to eligible students. Her continued support has allowed the advisors and chapter officers to increase participation and provide more scholastic extracurricular activities.”
The Alpha Delta Pi chapter at Brookhaven also lauded Dr. Braddy for her approach and passion for increasing awareness about PTK. During Preview Day at the college, Dr. Braddy, they said, discussed programs and campus life with every prospective student.
“She has been amazing since she started,” said Rebekah Benavides, PTK advisor and student life and engagement coordinator at Brookhaven. “PTK students persevered under her leadership by helping other students as they endured the pandemic. They also continued to recruit new members.
Dr. Braddy, Benavides said, has created a culture of inclusion and provided safe spaces for all students.
Dr. Braddy joined Dallas College in 2019. She previously worked for Tarrant County College District, where she served in several roles in academic affairs. She is the former deputy executive director of the Mathematical Association of America in Washington, D.C.
Dr. May was named a recipient of PTK’s Michael Bennett Lifetime Achievement Award. These awards are given to retiring college presidents and chancellors who have supported student success initiatives that led to stronger pathways to completion, transfer and employment, officials said.
Selected as the seventh chancellor of Dallas College, Dr. May assumed his duties in 2014. Throughout his career and before becoming chancellor emeritus this year, Dr. May expanded opportunities for students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree by starting at a community college. At the same time, he brought a strong commitment to improve the Dallas economy by helping to grow middle-class jobs.
In particular, Dr. May was credited with the concept of “career-connected learning” and overseeing programs where courses and the sequences in a student’s education tie into an existing and in-demand job. Under his leadership, Dallas College’s career-connected learning model successfully aligned the capacity of the college with the needs of the workforce.
“They [Dallas College’s awardees] have taken an active interest in supporting high-achieving students and developing student leaders on campus,” said Phi Theta Kappa President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “Their nomination is evidence of the gratitude their PTK students feel for supporting them.”
PTK honors also extend to 28 college administrators for their work with student leaders to solve problems on campuses and in their communities. Dr. Nikopoulos is among those recognized for her work promoting, engaging and creating an atmosphere that reflects the teamwork and leadership abilities of Dallas College students.
“These college administrators are beloved on campus — they know students by name and by circumstance,” said Tincher-Ladner.
The awards for all three Dallas College recipients will be presented at the society’s annual convention April 7-9 in Denver.
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