PTK Honors CT State Asnuntuck CEO and Advisors at Conference

CT State Asnuntuck’s CEO Dr. Michelle Coach and Phi Theta Kappa Alpha Lambda Zeta Campus Advisors Michele Howard-Swan and Thayre Trzepacz brought home top honors from the Phi Theta Kappa International Conference.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) recognized 14 college administrators, including Dr. Coach, with the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction during PTK Catalyst 2025, the Society’s annual convention in Kansas City, Missouri, April 3-5, 2025.

To be eligible for this award, college presidents and CEOs must have served in their role for at least five years. The recipients were nominated by students on their campus, and are only eligible to receive the award once in their career.

The award recognizes community college presidents who have shown support of 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 spent years making a meaningful impact on student success,” said Phi Theta Kappa President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “The students know they are the priority and always at the center of their leadership. This award is their way of saying thank you.”

The Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction is Phi Theta Kappa’s most prestigious award for community college presidents and is named in honor of the late Dr. Shirley B. Gordon, Phi Theta Kappa’s longest-serving Board of Directors Chair and a founder and long-time president of Highline Community College in Washington.

Dr. Coach commented, “I am so thrilled to be honored with Phi Theta Kappa’s (PTK) most prestigious award for College President’s and CEOs, the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction. It has been my privilege to contribute to this distinguished organization in multiple capacities for over 13 years. Throughout that time, I have seen the tremendous positive impact PTK has had on students’ lives. It is truly remarkable!”

Howard-Swan was presented with the Paragon Award for New Advisors and Trzepacz was awarded a Distinguished Advisor Award.

The CT State Asnuntuck CEO added, “I would also like to recognize Michele Howard-Swan and Thayre Trzepacz for receiving their respective Advisor Awards and for their continued dedication to student success. Congratulations Michele and Thayre!”

Located in Enfield, Connecticut, CT State Asnuntuck (pronounced: As-NUN-tuck), formerly Asnuntuck Community College, was established in 1972. The campus offers associate degrees, certificates, and short-term workforce training programs to prepare students for careers, transfer opportunities, and lifelong learning.

The 12 community colleges in Connecticut merged on July 1, 2023, to become CT State Community College, one of the largest community colleges in the country and the largest in New England, dedicated to quality, access, and affordability. CT State students can apply once and take classes and access services at any campus. Locations include Asnuntuck (Enfield), Capital (Hartford), Gateway (New Haven and North Haven), Housatonic (Bridgeport), Manchester, Middlesex (Middletown and Meriden), Naugatuck Valley (Waterbury and Danbury), Northwestern (Winsted), Norwalk, Quinebaug Valley (Danielson and Willimantic), Three Rivers (Norwich), and Tunxis (Farmington). Find out more at ctstate.edu.