Members earned prestigious scholarships, first-place Honors in Action recognition and multiple leadership awards while maintaining Five-Star Chapter status
New York, N.Y. (April 16, 2026) – Guttman’s Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Beta Phi Gamma, had its best showing ever at the New York State Conference held in March. Most significantly, Guttman was named the Third Most Distinguished Chapter in New York State — the highest placement the chapter has achieved — out of approximately 50 chapters.
Two chapter members earned individual recognitions: Vice President Brad Lynch received the Jodi Oriel Scholarship, and Sumaiya Akter took home the Non-Traditional Student Achievement Award. Led by PTK President Celia Sierra and Co-Advisors Diana Zechowski and Samuel Finesurrey, Guttman’s chapter also maintained its Five-Star Chapter status.
“Phi Theta Kappa reflects some of the very best of who our students are and what Guttman stands for. These honors recognize not only academic excellence, but also leadership, persistence, and a deep commitment to community,” said Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Danny Ambrose. “We are incredibly proud of our PTK members for the way they continue to lead with purpose, represent Guttman with distinction, and show what is possible when talented students are fully supported to thrive.”
“Guttman’s PTK chapter is absolutely crushing it! Our PTK student leaders have consistently met with the Administration to detail their efforts to sustain the strong work of the chapter. Each meeting displays their drive, organization, and selflessness as they seek to enhance our school by helping others. They don’t come to us with facile, simple, and easy plans for our consideration; instead they bring robust engagement that requires serious and complicated work, commitment, and planning,” said Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Paul Reifenheiser. “I’m honored to have these fine students represent Guttman both on campus and in the larger community.”
Beta Phi Gamma also secured first place in the Fables, Folklore, and Fairytales category for the Honors in Action Project for “Once Upon a Time in the Big Apple: Folklore and Fairytales in the Making of Hyphenated-Americans.”
Below is the chapter’s complete list of spring 2026 awards:
- Honors in Action Theme Award – 1st place
- Most Distinguished Chapter in New York – 3rd place
- Most Distinguished Honors in Action Project – 3rd place
- Non-Traditional Student Achievement – Sumaiya Akter
- Jodi Oriel Scholarship – Brad Lynch
- Regional Hallmark Award – Leadership
- Regional Hallmark Award – Fellowship
Deserving of special recognition for these achievements beyond those listed above are current and former Executive Board members Campbell Brice, Callista Wilkie, Hanns Medina and Merissa Taylor.
Currently, 123 students comprise Guttman’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter, and all memberships were paid in full by a PTK grant.
Phi Theta Kappa is the first national honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. Recognized by the American Association of Community Colleges as the official honor society for two-year colleges, PTK 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.
Stella and Charles Guttman Community College is CUNY’s first new community college in more than forty years. Reimagining what community college could be, Guttman opened its doors in Manhattan in August 2012 to create a research-based, innovative model focused on moving students efficiently toward graduation. Offering associate degree programs in a nurturing environment, the College provides holistic support and advising to ensure timely degree completion, and most graduates transfer to senior colleges. Guttman was named the best community college in America in 2020 and the top community college in New York State in 2020 and 2021 by Niche.com, and WalletHub ranked Guttman the #1 community college in New York State for 2025.
