Southern State student selected for PTK Ohio Region Officer

By Elizabeth Burkard
Director of Marketing
Southern State Community College

Vanesa Melendez, a student at Southern State Community College, has been selected to serve as the Western District Representative for the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Ohio Region 2026-27 Officer Team. This selection places Melendez among a small group of student leaders representing members across the state.
 
PTK, a premier international honor society for two-year college students, recognizes academic excellence and provides opportunities to develop leadership skills, earn scholarships, and explore career paths. Membership, at Southern State, is by invitation only. To be eligible, students must complete at least 12 credit hours of coursework, maintain a 3.5 GPA, and follow the standards of the society.
 
The Ohio Region of PTK serves over 30 chapters throughout the state of Ohio, and is an award-winning region receiving recognition in leadership, fellowship, membership recruitment, chapter engagement, and transfer readiness. The Ohio Region Team also works throughout the year to support student members, organize events, and advance the mission of the organization across Ohio.
 
Melendez, an Illinois native, moved to Ohio in December 2023 and currently resides in Hillsboro. She completed her GED and earned the Outstanding Student Award through Southern State’s Aspire Program. The following day, she registered to be a full-time student at Southern State Community College with the hope of earning her Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing.
 
“Vanesa is a serious go-getter,” says Southern State PTK Advisor Samuel Ginn. “We are very fortunate to have her as a student and as President of our PTK Chapter here at Southern State.”
 
As a District Representative for the State of Ohio, Melendez will help lead initiatives, represent student members at conferences and events, and work with other officers to promote leadership development, career readiness, and community service.
 
“I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity,” Melendez said. “I truly would not be where I am today without the support and encouragement from Southern State and also my fiancé and children, who are my true motivation.”

Melendez hopes to represent Southern State in a way that makes the institution proud as well as to inspire other students to believe that their path can lead to amazing opportunities too.
 
“Southern State believes in me and pushes me as I strive to reach my goals,” notes Melendez. “I am excited to be able to represent the College in this way.”
 
For more information about Southern State’s PTK Chapter, visit www.sscc.edu.

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