Ivy Tech Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society secures $1k action grant for stigma research

BLOOMINGTON – The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Alpha Rho Sigma chapter at Ivy Tech Community College’s Bloomington campus was awarded a $1000 Honors in Action grant to research the stigma attached to community college. The project, Theme 6: Perceptions of Progress, aims to identify what stigmas exist, how they started, and ways to erase them.

“With this project, Ivy Tech Bloomington PTK Honors students will gain valuable research skills, strengthen their knowledge of APA format, learn to write grants, and ultimately take action toward change,” said Dr. Samantha Levy-Arnold, Professor of English and Indiana Regional Phi Theta Kappa Coordinator. “We know the value of a community college education and are hopeful that the execution of this project will increase awareness of the benefits of becoming a community college graduate.”

Ivy Tech Bloomington PTK was awarded the grant by the national Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society based in Jackson, MS, supported by a $750,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to fund undergraduate research opportunities for community college honors students.

“The Alpha Rho Sigma chapter at Ivy Tech Bloomington was selected based on its strong application,” Susan Edwards, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society Associate Vice President of Honors Programming and Undergraduate Research said in an email. “We are proud of the work you do at your college and in your community, and with your participation in a robust Honors in Action project.”

Ivy Tech accepts free applications year-round at ivytech.edu/apply. The college has multiple start dates throughout the year for faster completion of a certificate or associate degree. For more information, visit ivytech.edu/bloomington or call 812-330-6013.