For the first time in OTC’s history, two students are entering the final rounds of candidacy for international office positions through Phi Theta Kappa, the world’s largest honor society for two-year colleges.
OTC student Igho Ekakitie is running for International President and Sarah Rife is running for International Vice President of Division III. The two are campaigning this week in preparation for PTK Catalyst 2019, the honor society’s international convention held April 4-6 in Orlando, Florida. Winners will be announced at the convention Saturday night.
Get to know both of the candidates below, and help us wish them luck!
Igho Ekakitie, International Presidential Candidate
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was born in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria, in a small town called Sapele. I graduated high school but could not immediately go to college because of the death of my mother. Still, I never gave up. I volunteered and worked for almost six years to raise funds to come to the United States to study. As an OTC student, I enjoy making friends and getting to know people. I am the Past Regional Vice President of Phi Theta Kappa, for the Theta District in Missouri. I am a Student Ambassador and currently a 2019 Youth Delegate to the United Nations Youth Assembly.
What are your college and career goals?
I will be graduating with a degree in biological clinical science in May, which is preparing me to be a nurse. I hope to go on and become a nurse practitioner with the United Nations.
What does Phi Theta Kappa mean to you?
Phi Theta Kappa has done so much for me. When I came to the United States, I knew no one. I had no family or friends. Phi Theta Kappa took me in and became my family. It is a family I am forever grateful for.
Why are you running for office?
I’m running to make a difference, to work with every chapter of PTK, and see how best we can improve the pillars of PTK for all students. I’m running to get more students involved in PTK, to inspire everyone that no matter who you are, where you come from, or what you’ve been through in life, Phi Theta Kappa is home to us all.
What words of encouragement do you have for someone considering joining PTK?
As PTK members, we know we can get more people involved in leadership. We can make rapid global change. We can take ambitious steps in making our schools a better place, our societies more habitable, our states safer, our nation and world more welcoming. So, why not?
Sarah Rife, International Vice Presidential Candidate of Division III
Tell us a little bit about yourself?
I am a first-generation student with a homeschool background. I grew up in a conservative household. College was not something I originally planned for myself after I graduated after high school. After a turn of events and some big decisions, I made the choice to attend college.
What are your college and career goals?
My college goal is graduate from OTC with an associate degree in hospitality management and later pursue a bachelor’s degree in hospitality with a minor in business. This degree will assist me in chasing my dream career of event planning with the eventual goal of becoming a bed and breakfast owner.
What does Phi Theta Kappa mean to you?
Phi Theta Kappa has given me endless opportunities to develop leadership qualities I never knew I had. It has also given me a second family who encourages me to chase after my dreams. PTK reminds me to constantly ask, “Why Not?” when opportunities come my way.
Why are you running for office?
I am running for an international office position for several reasons, but the biggest reason is to represent nontraditional students, like myself, who come from a homeschool background and start college later in life. I desire to be an ambassador of Phi Theta Kappa to the homeschool communities and proudly represent non-traditional students who are chasing after their dreams by enrolling in college.
What words of encouragement do you have for someone considering joining PTK?
To any student that is considering joining Phi Theta Kappa, I would first ask them, “Why not?” If you are striving to better your future, why not join something that could offer you scholarships, a community of students to encourage you along your journey, and personal development opportunities? These are just a few things that Phi Theta Kappa offers scholars when they become members of this incredible honors society.
