Since 1929, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Has Recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the Official Honor Society for Two-Year Colleges
(Lake Charles, Louisiana – November 2, 2022)
SOWELA’s official honor society Phi Theta Kappa inducted 19 new members during a special ceremony recently in the school’s Sycamore Student Center. The new inductees bring the total number of students in SOWELA’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society to 52. Inductees received invitations to join the chapter based on their academic performance of maintaining a 3.5 or higher grade point average (GPA).
The new inductees for the 2022-2023 academic year are:
- Nicole Babineaux (Westlake, LA)
- Shedreka Bolton (Heidelberg, MS)
- Jonathan Bordelon (Lake Arthur, LA)
- Jessica English (Vinton, LA)
- Stephanie Franco (Sulphur, LA)
- Kimberly Gaspard (Lake Arthur, LA)
- Joseph Grayson (Lake Charles, LA)
- Lisette Griffith (Lake Charles, LA)
- Crystal Guillory (Lake Charles, LA)
- Trey Hargrave (Iota, LA)
- Sabrina Heffron (Ragley, LA)
- Emily Howard (Sulphur, LA)
- Lakeitha Jones (Lake Charles, LA)
- Brittany Martin (Oberlin, LA)
- John Melton (Lake Charles, LA)
- Nicolle Palombo (Sulphur, LA)
- Danielle Schofield (Lake Charles, LA)
- Janet Shuff (Longville, LA)
- Bailey Willis (Lake Charles, LA)
Originally founded in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa has been officially recognized as the honor society of two-year colleges by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) since 1929. SOWELA’s chapter was established in 2017.
“The advisors are very excited to welcome our new inductees to the chapter,” said Phi Theta Kappa Advisor Ashley Gray. “Phi Theta Kappa encourages our members to be leaders on and off campus. We serve as the bridge between students, faculty/staff and the community. Our hope is to grow our presence on campus and continue to encourage academic success. Our chapter needs all hands-on deck to make this happen and with each induction ceremony, we are one step closer to our goal.”
Registration for 2023 SOWELA Spring semester courses is now underway. Interested students can apply at our How to Enroll page. The Southwest Louisiana college will host an informational session on Tuesday, November 29, at 10:00 AM in the Sycamore Student Center. To register for the event, visit the event page (opens new window). Prospective students will meet deans and student service leaders and learn about financial aid and scholarship opportunities and how to apply.
Currently, scholarships of $500 are available for new students on a first come, first served basis in the following programs: Accounting, Aviation Maintenance Technology, Chemical Laboratory Technology, Digital Arts and Communication, Information Systems Technology, Outdoor Power Equipment Technology, Surgical Technology, Vehicle Maintenance Technology and Welding (at SOWELA Oakdale and Jennings locations). Additional scholarships and financial aid are also available for those that qualify.
SOWELA offers more than 30 technical and academic programs including Practical Nursing, Machine Tool Technology, Culinary Arts, Drafting and Design Technology, Surgical Technology, Accounting Technology and Forest Technology.
SOWELA was recently named #1 community college in Louisiana by Niche. SOWELA is also nationally recognized as a 2021 “Great College to Work For” by the Great Colleges to Work For program.
Anyone needing additional assistance can contact onestop@sowela.edu.
About SOWELA Technical Community College
SOWELA Technical Community College provides traditional, online, and lifelong learning experiences and awards associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificates. The College empowers learners in career and technical education and enables transfer students to pursue a four-year degree, so all learners excel as globally competitive citizens. The College has been educating the region’s workforce for 80 years and has locations in Jennings, Lake Charles, Leesville and Oakdale, Louisiana.