Verde Valley News – When the prestigious Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society needed a new coordinator to advocate for Arizona’s top collegiate scholars, they chose from within – and chose well. Yavapai College proudly announces that YC Business Professor and Honors College Director Denise Woolsey was selected as the new Arizona Regional Coordinator for the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK).
“I am pleased to welcome Denise Woolsey, from the Beta Gamma Pi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at Yavapai College Prescott Campus, as the new Arizona Regional Coordinator.” PTK President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tichner-Ladner announced on Monday. “Denise’s dedication to PTK is evident in her commitment to nurturing students’ growth and empowering them to become future leaders and scholars. Her leadership was pivotal in guiding the Beta Gamma Pi chapter to be twice-recognized as one of PTK’s Top 10 Most Distinguished Chapters.”
A popular and highly respected educator, with a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication and a Master of Business Administration, Denise Woolsey has been a professor at Yavapai College since 2003. A champion of academic excellence and an advocate for the students who achieve it, she has served as Director of YC’s College Honors Program, and Chapter Advisor for the Beta Gamma Pi Chapter since 2017. She was named Associate Regional Coordinator in 2023, and now will succeed Phoenix College’s Amy MacPherson, who is stepping down to spend more time with her family.
Established in 1910, the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society is an international society of students seeking associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, or other college credentials. PTK’s mission is to recognize community college students’ academic achievements and provide opportunities for them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Phi Theta Kappa Foundation awards $1.5 million in scholarships to members each year, and four-year college partners now offer $250 million in transfer scholarships exclusively for Phi Theta Kappa members. To date, Phi Theta Kappa has more than 3.5 million members across 1,300 chapters in ten nations.
“I am truly honored to be in a position where I can contribute to the growth and success of Phi Theta Kappa and its members across Arizona,” Denise Woolsey said. “As Regional Coordinator, I look forward to working with PTK students and advisors and continuing our region’s progress in scholarship and leadership opportunities for our Arizona Community College students.”