Pictured: Alpha Mu Chi received the Distinguished Chapter Award.
Catalyst 2026 brought together thousands of Phi Theta Kappa members, advisors, and supporters in Baltimore, Maryland, to celebrate the achievements of chapters from the United States and ten other nations. The three-day convention was a whirlwind of inspiration, academic recognition, and historic milestones for Northeast Texas Community College.
Inspiring Voices
The event featured a lineup of world-class speakers who challenged and motivated attendees:
- Amanda Nguyen: Astronaut, author, and advocate, who shared a powerful story of resilience and breaking barriers
- Sebastian Terry: Creator of the 100things philanthropic movement, who inspired the audience to pursue their goals with purpose.
- Lulu McGowan: PTK International President, who delivered a visually striking address on the lessons learned from clay.
- Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner: PTK President and CEO, who provided a motivational and informative look at the Society’s future.
Celebrating Individual Excellence
Recognition for NTCC began early and spanned the entire event. Dr. Kevin Rose was honored with the Paragon Award for New Presidents, while Dr. Anna Ingram was named a Distinguished Administrator at the International Level. Both were recognized for their steadfast support of student excellence.
Student Stephanie Hernandez took the spotlight as a Distinguished Member and was celebrated at an exclusive luncheon as
the New Century Scholar for Texas. Reflecting on the experience of walking onto the massive stage under the bright lights, Stephanie remarked, “It felt like being at the Oscars.”
Alpha Mu Chi’s Global Impact
The Saturday night Hallmark Gala served as the grand finale, where Alpha Mu Chi’s hard work throughout the year was rewarded on a global scale. The chapter’s project, “40 Stories, 40 Years,” received a Distinguished Honors in Action award and was named one of the top three projects internationally for “Theme 4: Preserving Stories.”
The accolades continued as Alpha Mu Chi was named one of the Top 100 Chapters worldwide. To cap off the chapter awards, they were designated as a Distinguished Chapter, an elite honor shared by only about twenty chapters globally, based on the combined success of their Honors in Action and College Projects.
“Seeing our students recognized on such a prestigious international stage is a powerful reminder of what they can achieve with dedication and a shared vision,” said Dr. Melissa Fulgham. “The honors received in Baltimore aren't just awards; they represent the deep commitment Alpha Mu Chi has to scholarship, leadership, and our community.”
A Historic Presidential Victory
The evening reached a fever pitch during the announcement of the new International Officer team. The crowd erupted as NTCC’s own José Fuentes was named the incoming International President. While Alpha Mu Chi has a proud history of international leadership, with Monse Rivero-Sanchez (2024-2025) and Jacob Lambie (2020-2021) previously serving as Vice Presidents, José makes history as the first student from NTCC to hold the Society’s highest office.
Attending Members: José Fuentes, Emma Mendoza, Andrew Higgins, Sky Bass, Stephanie Hernandez, Stephany Fuentes, Dr. Melissa Fulgham, Dr. Anna Ingram, and Dr. Kevin Rose.
For more photos of these incredible moments and the chapter’s journey in Baltimore, visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/alphamuchi/.
