students sitting in the HUB

Rho Theta Honor Society

Promoting Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Fellowship Worldwide 

Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society for two-year colleges. Rho Theta is the Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. MHCC students who qualify for membership can access leadership opportunities and scholarships by joining Phi Theta Kappa. The mission of the Rho Theta chapter is to recognize and encourage scholarship, academic achievement, and excellence among students of MHCC. The chapter provides and promotes opportunities for individual growth and the development of leadership, scholarship, fellowship, and service to the community. 

About Phi Theta Kappa 

Phi Theta Kappa is the oldest and most prestigious honor society serving two-year colleges. It has about 3.5 million members across the United States and worldwide. 

Its purpose is to recognize and encourage academic excellence among students of two-year colleges. It also aims to promote individual growth through programs that provide leadership training, continual scholarship, fellowship among scholars, and service to the community. 

Phi Theta Kappa comes from the first letters of the Greek words phronimon (phi), thumos (theta), katharotes (kappa) meaning wisdom, aspiration, and purity, respectively. The society's colors are blue for scholarship and gold for purity. 

Why Join Rho Theta? 

Benefits  

Being a member of Phi Theta Kappa is more than just a badge of honor. Membership benefits can help you fund your education, obtain useful career and academic resources, and build on your academic success through innovative programs: 

  • Opportunities to develop research and servant-leadership skills by participating in Honors in Action program. 
  • Special benefits and member discount offers from Phi Theta Kappa Corporate Partners such as GEICO and Bank of America. 

Leadership 

Want to build a strong resume? As a member, you have the opportunity to serve as a leader both on campus and off campus. 

  • Develop workplace/soft skills. 
  • Attend regional and international conferences. 
  • Work with college leaders on chapter activities. 
  • Gain effective methods for setting goals. 
  • Build strong relationships with administration. 

Scholarships 

Accept Phi Theta Kappa membership and you'll get free access to the most extensive online benefits available to two-year college honor. Here's a sample: 

  • $36 million in scholarships for members only. 
  • Get Connected scholarships. 
  • Leaders of Promise Scholarships. 
  • All-USA Academic Team scholarship. 
  • All-USA Academic Team recognition. 
  • Associate degree scholarships. 
  • Bachelor’s degree scholarships. 

Recognition 

If you are a Phi Theta Kappa member in good standing, you may wear the Golden Honor Stole, Tassel and Key Medallion during the commencement ceremony. If your MHCC cumulative grade point average is 3.65 or higher at the end of winter quarter, you may also wear the Honor Cords. The Phi Theta Kappa gold diploma seal will be affixed to your Mt. Hood diploma, and membership will be noted on your transcript. 

Eligibility 

Current MHCC students who have earned at least 12 credits that count toward a degree at MHCC and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher are generally eligible to join Rho Theta and Phi Theta Kappa. Each fall, winter and spring, invitations are sent to eligible students who are currently enrolled. 

Become a member 

Letters go out towards the beginning of term to everyone who qualifies for membership based on GPA through the current term. Inside the envelope will be the membership application, information about the dues scholarship, regalia information, and more. 

Please review our Membership FAQ for more information on membership and the scholarship to help pay a portion of the membership fees. 

Information for new members 

Each term we hold orientations on what Phi Theta Kappa is, benefits of joining, and more. They're not mandatory, but do give you a chance to ask questions and get more information.