Member Mentions- January 2023

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi's international community is a unique blend of students, academicians, and corporate and civic leaders from all fields of endeavor. Membership in Phi Kappa Phi recognizes and rewards academic success. That recognition doesn’t end after initiation. From their time in school to their professional career, Society members’ hard work continues to pay off and be acknowledged.

Phi Kappa Phi would like to congratulate these members on their recent achievements:

Nupur Ghoshal (Iowa State University)- has been recognized as one of America’s Most Influential Physicians by the International Association of Who’s Who.

Ellen Gilbert (Illinois Wesleyan University)- was a semifinalist for the NCAA’s Woman of the Year award. The Woman of the Year Award honors senior female student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate career.

Rameca Vincent Leary (University of Maryland-College Park) has been inducted into the Marquis Who’s Who. Marquis Who’s Who chronicles the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor.

Alison Dundes Renteln (University of Southern California)-has recently had two books published, The Ethical University and International Human Rights. In addition, Renteln recently won the Raubenheimer Award at USC for excellence in teaching, research, and service.

Do you have an accomplishment you’d like to share? Email your member news to news@phikappaphi.org to be considered for inclusion.





Member Spotlight- Dr. Amber Gray

Dr. Amber Deneén Gray is a southern California native who earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and psychology and a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from California State University, San Bernardino. In 2020, Amber completed a doctorate in behavioral health at Arizona State University, where she was initiated. She is currently pursuing a second Ph.D. through the psychology, public policy, and law doctoral program at Alliant International University.

As a survivor of violence, Amber works to help those in crisis make wise and healthy decisions for their future. In 2017, she founded Gray’s Trauma-Informed Care Services, which provides trauma-informed education to medical providers, teaching them how to care for victims of violent crime. She also co-founded Freedom Train Project to help survivors of coercion recreate their lives and begin their journey of healing. She currently serves as the President of the American Association of Doctors of Behavioral Health (AADBH).

Amber volunteers with AmeriCorps and various domestic violence shelters in her spare time. Her efforts have been recognized with several awards, including the Presidential Volunteer Service Award and The Points of Light Inspiration Honor Roll.

Let’s get to know Amber!

Why did you accept the invitation to join Phi Kappa Phi?
Members of my family had never been in an honor society. I was the first person in my family to achieve high honors and the second person to get a degree beyond a high school diploma. I knew having such a prestigious organization in my educational history was important.

Who is your favorite band?
My favorite bands are the Go-Go’s, Jonatha Brooke, Kate Walsh, and Sara Bareilles. Music is essential for life. Artists who have the skill to make your soul feel with poignant and meaningful lyrics while also entertaining you and capturing the zeitgeist of an era are incredible musicians and individuals.

What are your hobbies?
My hobbies include fishing, boating, beaching, chess, writing, miniature golf, and collecting comic books, trading cards, and collectibles.

If you could go back in time, what would you want to see or be a part of?
I’d want to hear Albert Einstein talk about the theory of relativity or be a part of the landing on the moon.

Where does your passion for finding solutions to domestic violence stem from?
As a survivor, I know what families need to be safe, grow, and prosper. I want families to live without fear and children to grow up with less trauma and stress. I’ve dedicated my life to helping victims of violence because I care.

What has been your most significant success in life?
I am the only person in my family to receive a doctorate and start my own business. I also created a prevention model and successfully used it with actual victims of violence. Finally, I was a collaborative author for the book Women and Violence: Global Lives in Focus.

Do you have any pets?
I have a Beagle named Lacy, one of my best friends and my heart and soul. I also have a guinea pig named Percival who thinks he is the king of all things living. Finally, I have a parakeet named Caycee who thinks she is a small, winged human. I love all my fur babies.

What is your favorite book?
I love Homer’s The Odyssey. It is my favorite because it embodies so many crucial themes of family, longing, wondering, sacrifice, finding oneself, and coming into one’s own. I believe everyone has an odyssey they must go through that will transform them to their greatest potential.

What is something that makes you feel like a kid again?
My children make me feel like a kid again. My sons remind me how to play, see the happier side of life, and appreciate the small things.

What is one thing you could not go a day without?
While my partner, kids, and pets are not things, I could not go a day without at least hearing from them. They are my world.

To learn more about Amber and connect, visit her profile within our online member community here.

Is there someone you would like to see in the spotlight? Send your nomination to engagement@phikappaphi.org, and include background information for the nomination.

Member Benefit: Insurance & Finance Discounts

No matter what stage you are at in life, the Society’s insurance and financial partners are here to help. From worry-free insurance coverage to abundant rewards with the Phi Kappa Phi Visa Rewards credit card, our partners are here to help you and your family learn, grow, and succeed.

Citizens
Refinance your student loans with Citizens, and you could get a principal credit reduction of up to $1,000, reduce your interest rate up to 0.50% with Loyalty and Automatic Payment Discounts, and save with no application, origination, disbursement, or prepayment fees. Click here to see your rate and potential savings in under 2 minutes, with no impact on your credit score.

GEICO
Since 2010, the Society has partnered with GEICO to extend a special discount on auto insurance to active members. To get a free quote and see if you qualify for the discount, visit www.GEICO.com/PhiKappaPhi.

Already have a GEICO auto policy? Call (800) 368-2734 to find out if you qualify for the discount, and be sure to mention your membership in The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. Please note that the discount is not available in Michigan, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

LifeLock
In today’s connected world, it’s hard to keep track of your personal information and protect yourself from cybercriminals. LifeLock can help protect your information and alert you to a wide range of threats. Plus, if you become a victim of identity theft, a dedicated U.S.-based specialist will work to fix it. Members can enjoy 35% off their first year of LifeLock membership. Click here to learn more and enroll in minutes.

Mercer Insurance Benefits
Protect yourself and your family with exclusive insurance offerings available through Mercer. As an active member, you can secure essential worry-free protection and access assistance with some of the most important decisions you will ever make to protect your future and the future of your family.

Visit PKP.AlumniPlans.com to learn more about specially-negotiated rates on health, long-term care, disability, pet, life, emergency medical, and travel assistance insurance. If you prefer to speak with a Mercer representative, call (888) 560-2586 and be sure to mention your membership in The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi.

SoFi
Whether you're refinancing student debt or managing your finances, SoFi can help you reach your goals.

Active members are eligible for exclusive offers for financial solutions, including a 0.25% rate discount on student loan refinancing, a $250 bonus on private student loans, a 0.50% rate discount on personal loans, and a $500 bonus on home loans. Click here to learn more.

Phi Kappa Phi Visa Rewards Credit Card
Show your Phi Kappa Phi pride everywhere Visa is accepted with the Society-branded credit card. Cardholder benefits include a low introductory rate, no annual fee, and unlimited cash back. Plus, each time you use the card, you help to support the Society's award programs.

To apply for the card, visit www.CommerceBank.com/PhiKappaPhi.

Extend the Conversation: What Will You Do After Retirement?

In our Winter 2022 Forum issue, we profile Freeman Hrabowski III, the longtime president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County who is settling into a new role as a fellow at the National Council on Education. If you missed our profile of Hrabowski, you can read it here.

Do you have a second act in mind after retirement? Some special cause or job you’d like to embrace? For Forum editor, Danny Heitman, he would like to spend more time with literacy education, because of his work in writing and editing.

Extend the conversation and share your thoughts on an ideal post-retirement gig -- either one you’ve dreamed of or one you’ve now realized -- we’d love to hear from you. Feel free to share your thoughts. 

Please note, our online community is available to active members only, and you will be required to log in with your Phi Kappa Phi credentials. For login assistance, email webmaster@phikappaphi.org.

If you are a member but your active membership has expired, click here to renew and regain access to this exclusive benefit.




Calling All Undergraduates: Apply for a Pioneer Award

New year, new awards! The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi has announced its newest award designed specifically for undergraduate students, the Pioneer Award.

The program will provide 50 awards at $1,000 each to undergraduate members. These awards are designed to encourage and reward undergraduate members for developing the research, engagement, and leadership skills necessary to become a successful scholar. For a full list of eligibility requirements, visit www.phikappaphi.org/pioneer.

Phi Kappa Phi's award and grant programs distribute $1.3 million each year to outstanding members through study abroad grants, graduate and dissertation fellowships, funding for post-baccalaureate development, member and chapter awards, and grants for local, national, and international literacy initiatives.

To learn more about the Society’s award and grant programs, please visit www.phikappaphi.org/awards.




Create a Legacy for Academic Excellence in Your Estate Plan!

Since 1897, The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi has supported the academic and professional growth of scholars in various ways. There are many benefits to being a member of the Phi Kappa Phi community, and the Society is constantly searching for new ways to support our membership. Today, we’re sharing a new, unique resource to support our entire community in completing an essential life task.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi has partnered with FreeWill: a free online estate planning tool. FreeWill’s self-guided tool walks you through writing your will online in about 20 minutes, streamlining the process of making your wishes known. Whether you’re 18 or 88, everyone should have an estate plan.

One concrete way to show up for the people and causes you love is to make a plan for them in your will. If you don’t have an up-to-date estate plan, you can use FreeWill’s tool to create yours, and even include an optional legacy gift to Phi Kappa Phi in the process. By including our Society in your estate plan, you can pay it forward to the next generation of Phi Kappa Phi members!

Why should I make a will?
No matter your age or circumstances, everyone needs a legal will as a way to plan for the future, as well as to make a lasting commitment to the people and causes that matter most. Making a will is a vital part of protecting your loved ones and taking responsibility for your assets. Regardless of your decision to make a planned gift in your will, FreeWill is always 100% free to use.

Why use FreeWill’s estate planning tool?
Making a will doesn’t have to be complicated or scary, but many people avoid the task because they assume it will be. But FreeWill’s will-writing tool makes the process easy, intuitive, and fast: in less than 20 minutes, you can make a will and make a plan for the future. You won’t need to submit any sensitive personal information — no social security number necessary, for example — and you’ll finish with a PDF of your will that after signing it in accordance with the included instructions is legally valid in all 50 states and D.C.

Why should I create a bequest to Phi Kappa Phi?
Creating a legacy with Phi Kappa Phi is the most powerful way to support our Society for generations to come. It represents your lasting commitment to recognizing academic excellence while costing you nothing today.

If an immediate cash gift isn’t right for you, or if you want a more concrete, long-term investment in the next generation of Phi Kappa Phi, consider a legacy gift in your will!

If you have any further questions about FreeWill or Planned Giving at The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, please contact Brad Jewell at bjewell@phikappaphi.org.

Stay In the Know: Keep Your Account Up to Date

Whether you joined Phi Kappa Phi three months ago or three decades ago, your personal information may have changed since that time. Have you moved, changed names, updated your email address, or earned a new degree? Be sure to keep your account up to date so that you never miss Society news, offers, and announcements.

From the moment you join, we have important information to send your way. Most communications are sent via email, such as the monthly Focus newsletter, member-only savings and promotions, and exclusive benefit reminders. Our quarterly magazine, the Forum, is sent to your physical address as well as your membership card after your renewal. Be sure to update your contact information after any change.

To update your membership account, visit Members.PhiKappaPhi.org/Profile and log in using your Phi Kappa Phi credentials. If you experience trouble accessing your account, please visit our FAQ page or email webmaster@phikappaphi.org for assistance.

Explore 2023 Phi Kappa Phi Award Opportunities

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is currently accepting applications for its 2023 awards program including Pioneer Awards, Study Abroad Grants, Literacy Grants, Fellowships and Love of Learning Awards. These awards play a critical role in transforming the lives of students and members by providing funding for graduate study, national and international literacy initiatives, continuing education, and much more!

Since 1932, Phi Kappa Phi’s awards program has recognized members and students on its chapter campuses for outstanding academic achievement. Each year $1.3 million is awarded through programs that last year recognized more than 425 individuals.

Programs currently accepting applications include:

• Pioneer Awards: Fifty $1,000 awards are available to undergraduate members for developing the research, engagement, and leadership skills necessary to become a successful scholar. The Deadline to apply is June 1.
• Study Abroad Grants: One hundred twenty-five grants of $1,000 each will be awarded to both members and non-members studying abroad. The deadline to apply is March 15.
• Literacy Grants: Grants of up to $2,500 are available to Phi Kappa Phi chapters and individual members seeking funding for literacy initiatives. The deadline to apply is April 1.
• Fellowships: A total of 62 Fellowships are available each year - two at $35,000, six at $20,000 and fifty-four of $8,500 each to members entering the first year of graduate or professional study. The deadline to apply varies by each Phi Kappa Phi chapter. Contact your local chapter for deadline information.
• Love of Learning Awards: Two hundred awards at $1,000 each, are available to help fund post-baccalaureate studies and professional development for active members. The deadline to apply is June 30.

“The best part of Phi Kappa Phi is the society's support for continued education and professional development.” said Catherine Jermany, 2022 Love of Learning recipient.

For more information including eligibility requirements and application instructions for each program, please visit www.phikappaphi.org/awards.

Back to School Savings

A new year means a new semester, and the Society’s partners are here to help you save on supplies! Whether you're headed back to campus or the office, kick off 2023 with exclusive savings from our partners. Plus, each time you shop with our partners, you support the Society.

Home and Office Supply Savings from ODP
You can't succeed without the right supplies. Save up to 75% on items for home, office, and school when you shop at OfficeDiscounts.org/PKP. Plus, qualifying online orders of $50 or more get free delivery!

Planners and More from Franklin Planner
Get more done with the right planning system from Franklin Planner. Save 15% off your online order at www.FranklinPlanner.com by using promo code PKPMEMBER at checkout.

Tech Savings from Dell, Lenovo, and HP
Don't let old technology slow you down. Upgrade to the latest and greatest with a purchase from Dell, HP, or Lenovo. Save up to 50% when you shop for computers, accessories, gaming gear, and more.

Backup Solutions from Carbonite
Keep irreplaceable computer files secure and easily accessible through the cloud no matter where you are with a Carbonite subscription. Use promo code PHIKPOFFER10 to sign up at www.Carbonite.com and get a 10% discount on your subscription.

Research Assistance from JSTOR
Get access to the world's leading academic research and ensure the accuracy of your work with JSTOR. Members can save 25% on an annual JPASS subscription plan. Click here to learn more.

Tackle Your Tests with The Princeton Review and Becker
Let our partners help you make the grade. Save up to 15% off courses and tutoring for admission exams that include the MCAT, GMAT, GRE, LSAT, and more. Visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org/Princeton-Review to learn more.

If you are preparing for the CPA Exam, check out Becker Professional Education for a variety of study formats and save up to $200 on review courses. Click here to learn more.

Return to Campus in Style with ΦΚΦ Gear
You earned it; show it off! Visit the Society’s online store to shop Society-branded apparel, accessories, graduation regalia, and more. Start the year off in style, plus get free shipping on all orders of $50 or more!

Give Back While You Shop
Don't forget, if you are getting your back-to-school shopping done on Amazon, be sure to support Phi Kappa Phi with your purchases. Click here to learn how a portion of all your eligible purchases can be donated to the Society.

Please note that many of the web pages above require your Phi Kappa Phi login. If you have trouble logging in, visit our FAQ page or email webmaster@phikappaphi.org.