The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) awarded Ozarks Technical Community College Table Rock Campus President Dr. Robert Griffith with the Paragon Award for New Presidents. Dr. Griffith was honored during PTK Catalyst 2024, held April 4-6 in Orlando, Fla. Catalyst is the society’s annual convention.
Dr. Griffith is one of just 24 college presidents nationwide to receive the accolade. To be eligible for the Paragon Award for New Presidents, college presidents and CEOs must be new in their roles, having served less than three years. Students on their campuses nominate recipients, and leaders are only eligible to receive the award once.
The award recognizes college presidents who support student success initiatives leading to stronger pathways to completion, transfer, and employment. They have taken an active interest in supporting high-achieving students and developing student leaders on campus.
“These college presidents have students-first leadership styles and made it a priority to support student success both inside and outside the classroom,” said Phi Theta Kappa President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “This award is special because it comes directly from the students, and it is evidence of the gratitude they feel for the support for them and students like them.”
Dr. Griffith began his career with OTC as the college’s extension center coordinator in Branson. After opening the Table Rock campus in 2013, Dr. Griffith became the dean of academic and student affairs for the Hollister location. Now, as the Table Rock president, Dr. Griffith is responsible for all academic and student affairs and campus operations. Dr. Griffith is heavily involved in local community service organizations, serving as board chair for the Branson Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and in leadership positions with the Branson/Hollister Rotary Club Board and the Taney County Health Department Board.
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing students’ academic achievement at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them grow as scholars and leaders. The society comprises more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.