The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

Kathleen Allison, Lock Haven University of PA

Phi Kappa Phi 179 will partner with the local public library to offer the “Ross Library Building Healthy Bodies and Healthy Minds Program”. PKP members will conduct healthy living activities such as yoga and line dancing, serve as volunteer readers of children’s books based upon the activities, and purchase books and other educational resources on health topics for child library patrons. The purpose of the project supports the library’s philosophy as a place of lifelong learning.

Chris Fiorentino, California State University, Fresno

“Project LEAP SMILE Center” – The SMILE (Service Means Impacting Lives through Empowerment) Center engages Fresno State students as tutors/mentors in an after-school program for at-risk children at a nearby elementary school.  With Phi Kappa Phi’s support, the program has been reshaping to focus on core skills that strengthen the learning process.  Phi Kappa Phi funds will provide supplies for chess, journaling, and other activities designed to develop memory, concentration, listening skills, strategic thinking, and a positive self-image.   Building these skills strengthens literacy as well as overall academic success.  Phi Kappa Phi nameplates are placed on chess sets, journals, and books purchased with Phi Kappa Phi funds.

Paulette Harris, Augusta State University

“GED Lending Library”: Consisting of GED test Preparatory books to be used  by Augusta State University students to enhance adults students’ reading abilities in order to pass  GED tests. Adult students will be encouraged to check out these materials from the GED lending library for at-home use as well. Bookcases will be purchased to display prominently the GED Test Prep Books; bookcases will bear the nameplate of Phi Kappa Phi

Tammy King, Youngstown State University

Graduation Equivalency Degree preparation for inmates at the Trumbull Correctional Institute in English and Spanish with United Purpose, a Youngstown State University Student Organization.

Darris Means, Elon University

“Elon Academy Book Jam” - Phi Kappa Phi funds will support and sustain a book jam for the Elon Academy. The Elon Academy is a college-access and success program for local, academically-talented high school students with a financial need and/or no family history of college. The Elon Academy was started by Elon University in 2007 after a local high school was threatened with closure. The goal of the book jam is to expose students to the importance of literacy beyond traditional classroom walls. Phi Kappa Phi undergraduate members will serve as advisors to the book jam groups as the students read and discuss several books in small groups.

Mary Pagliero, University of West Alabama

“Rock-n-Read Program” - A joint venture between the UWA Phi Kappa Phi team, UWA Students in Free Enterprise, and the HealthStart Maternity Care Program within the Tombigbee Healthcare Authority. Volunteers provide a totebag made from recycled materials filled with three baby board books and literacy materials to mothers of new babies involved in the maternity care program.  Through this program, they hope to help break the cycle of illiteracy and poverty in the BlackBelt Region of Alabama.

Laverna Sanders, Duquesne University

“Neighbor to Neighbor”-- Chapter 187 will recruit student volunteers to participate in story hours on the Beginning With Books Center for Early Childhood Literacy Storymobiles, reading multicultural and nonfiction books purchased and gift-plated with grant funds.   The Storymobiles serve economically challenged Pittsburgh neighborhoods close to the Duquesne University campus.

Lenore Shoults, Arkansas State University Museum

A “Family Reading Castle” area designed to encourage literacy through parent and child reading time in the Museum, and online, will be established thanks to Phi Kappa Phi.  A read-along version of nursery rhymes, based on a collection of handmade Mother Goose dolls in the Museum’s collection, will display in a castle tower window.   Additional imagination triggers in the interactive area include a tuffet and drop-down spider, puppets, and books.  Members of Phi Kappa Phi chapter 141 will conduct a media campaign to promote the literacy initiative.

Kim Soule, University of Nevada Reno

“Read & Succeed: A Catalyst for Mobilizing the University Community” – With support from Phi Kappa Phi, “Read & Succeed” looks forward to recruiting more university and Phi Kappa Phi Chapter 8 tutors.  By increasing the number of tutors in this ongoing literacy projects, more struggling readers will be served.  Phi Kappa Phi funds will support “Read & Succeed” through the purchase of incentive reading materials distribute to children in the project.  Phi Kappa Phi bookplates will be placed inside the book covers.

Kathleen Tice, University of Texas at Arlington

“Literary Livewires: Bringing Books to English Language Learners” - As part of a service learning project, college students will read aloud weekly to children attend who attend a preschool that serves low-income English language learners. The project will include a family literacy event where each child will be given a backpack that includes the five books that were read aloud. The books will contain the Phi Kappa Phi book plate, and classroom teachers will continue reading aloud from a classroom set of the books.

Rebecca Watts, Middle Tennessee State University

“Promoting Interest and Literacy in Mathematics and Science” – Phi Kappa Phi funds will purchase books related to mathematics and science content and appropriate for the reading levels of students in grades K-6. Phi Kappa Phi bookplates will be placed in each book and books will be catalogued in the school library. Funds will also purchase wireless reading devices and ebooks for use with disadvantaged readers to help motivate these students to read.

Barbara Whittlesey, University of Arizona

Honors Civic Engagement Teams (HCET) Library Projects. University of Arizona students will engage middle and high school youth in after-school programs at Pima County Public Library branches using curricula developed by the HCET students.  Participating youth will learn photo-journaling and age-appropriate computer literacy skills. The funds will allow purchase of supplies for activities, including cameras and photo-editing software.  Students will share their completed projects with their communities by displaying the completed projects at their library branches.