Member Spotlight – Esther Andrés Montecatini

Esther Andrés Montecatini hails from Valencia, Spain. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature at Universidad de Valencia and a master’s in teaching foreign language at Universidad Católica de Valencia. In 2013, Esther moved to the United States to pursue a master’s and doctorate in Hispanic studies at the University of Oklahoma, where she was initiated in 2020.

During her time at OU, Esther mentored incoming graduate students and instructors, was co-president of the Student Advisory Committee, and served on the Cecil B. Woods Award for Excellence in Teaching Committee. She also was a peer reviewer for the University of Tennessee’s journal, Vernacular: New Connections in Language, Literature, & Culture, and became an official OU LGBTQ ally in 2015.

Esther is a Spanish instructor at OU, teaching introductory, intermediate, and advanced Spanish language and literature since 2013. She has received the prestigious Provost’s Certificate of Distinction in Teaching award seven times. Her first book, “Don Vampiro: de monstruo a amante,” will be published within the next year.

Let’s get to know Esther!

Why did you accept the invitation to join Phi Kappa Phi?
I was honored to receive an invitation from such a prestigious academic honor society. To me, it is a great opportunity to connect and get to know other colleagues in my field and their work.

What is your favorite movie?
It is hard to pick one because I am a cinephile, but I have to admit I have a soft spot for B movies, especially horror and comedy. One of my favorite mainstream ones is The Lost Boys, and I really enjoy watching horror/low-budget hosted movie shows, like “The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs.”

What is the best gift you have been given?
Probably my parents’ willingness to visit me in the U.S. for enough time for me to be able to finish my Ph.D. dissertation. I was also an instructor of record and a new mom, so I consider their being here to help me a pretty big gift.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Frankly, juggling being a mom to a toddler while teaching several courses, working on transforming my dissertation into a book, and still being awarded prestigious teaching awards feels amazing. Although exhausting, I am not going to lie.

What is your favorite thing about your hometown?
It is very cosmopolitan and welcoming to foreigners while not being overwhelmingly big. It was recently named the best city to live in by People magazine.

What is your favorite food or type of cuisine?
I am a foodie, so I love all kinds of cuisine, but Mediterranean is my go-to.

Do you have any pets?

I have four dogs, Pluto, Astro, Luna, and Sol. I adore them and cannot imagine my life without them.

What are your hobbies?
I enjoy traveling, listening to music, watching movies, exercising, drawing, painting, playing with my dogs, cooking, and spending time with my family and friends.

Who is your favorite musical artist or group?
I love very different music genres. I’m really into rock/funk bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers but also love post-punk like The Cure or Joy Division. I also really like more modern bands like The Garden, Washed Out or Toro y Moi.

How many languages do you speak?
I am fluent in Spanish, Catalan, and English. I also took several years of German in middle and high school but never really use it.

To learn more about Esther 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 Mentions-April 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:

Madeleine Dotson (University of Mississippi)- was named a Thurman Scholar. The merit-based scholarship is awarded to college students who plan to pursue careers in government or elsewhere in public service.

Joseph McIsaac (University of Massachusetts)- was recognized by the National Association of Corporate Directors as NACD Directorship Certified®. Directors who earn this designation signal to boards, investors, and other stakeholders that they are keeping on top of the emerging issues and trends impacting financial performance, disrupting business models, and changing the competitive landscape.

Sombo Muzata (Virginia Commonwealth University)- was recently awarded the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship by the Carnegie Corporation of New York through the Institute of International Education. She will be hosted by the University of Pretoria in South Africa from May to August 2023. During her time there, she will mentor students, and co-teach a graduate class with her host institution’s lead Dr. Chris Nshimbi. 

Riley Nold (University of Alabama)- was one of two University of Alabama students to be awarded the Barry Goldwater Scholarship. The Goldwater Scholarship is one of the oldest most prestigious national scholarships in the national sciences, engineering, and mathematics in the U.S.

Alexandra Scarber (Troy University)-was presented with the Sullivan Award. The Sullivan Award recognizes recipients for their excellence of character, humanitarian service, and spiritual qualities.

Kaylen Shetler (Angelo State University)- received the 2022-23 Robert A. Kilmarx award for the Best Military, Intelligence or National Security Strategic Analysis Paper from the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress (CSPC) in Washington, D.C.

Alyssa Stoner (University of Mississippi)- was one of three University of Mississippi students to be awarded the Barry Goldwater Scholarship. The Goldwater Scholarship is one of the oldest most prestigious national scholarships in the national sciences, engineering, and mathematics in the U.S.

Liana Van Woesik (Florida Institute of Technology)- was a recipient of the 2023-24 Dr. Kerry Bruce Clark Endowed Scholarships in Marine Biology.

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

Job Seekers: Advance Your Career

The Society is proud to provide resources to help you in any stage of your career. From the Phi Kappa Phi Internship Board to free resume evaluations, you have access to resources that will assist in jump-starting or advancing your career.

Write a Winning Resume

To rise above the competition, you need a resume that is focused on your target, complies with modern screening apps, and promotes your value through accomplishments. Phi Kappa Phi partner, Seeking Success, offers members $100 off any resume and LinkedIn profile writing package. Click here to get started and use code PKP2015.

Members can also request a free resume review when uploading their resume to the Phi Kappa Career Center. Visit Careers.PhiKappaPhi.org to create an account and select the Yes toggle to receive a free evaluation when uploading your resume.

Society Logo Graphics

Your membership in the Society is recognized as a stamp of academic excellence, and we encourage you to proudly display it on your resume by including an official Society logo. Several styles, sizes and colors are available for download in PNG format at www.PhiKappaPhi.org/Logo-Graphics.

Internship Opportunities and Scholarships

One of the best career boosts you can find is the perfect internship. Visit the Phi Kappa Phi Internship Board at Internships.PhiKappaPhi.org to create an account, post your resume, search for opportunities and more.

Members also qualify for the opportunity to apply for scholarships worth up to $2,500 toward internship programs based in Washington, D.C. Click here to learn more.

Apply for Your Dream Job

The Phi Kappa Phi Career Center connects job seekers to the perfect job opportunity. Job seekers can visit the Career Center to create a profile, post resumes and cover letters, customize email job alerts, search for job openings and easily apply for jobs.

Nail the Interview

Join other Phi Kappa Phi members to share job search strategies, interview tips and all-around career advice in our exclusive Link community. Click here to sign in using your member login and start participating today!

Need a new suit for your interview? Sign up for your complimentary Brooks Brothers Corporate Membership Card and save 15% on regularly priced merchandise. To sign up for the card, click here. Phi Kappa Phi is enrolled in the program, so click the gold Request a Membership ID button and use organization ID 11755 and pin code 61431 when prompted.

For more career resources, including information about a federal GS level upgrade, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org/Career-Resources.

Career resources are available only to active members, and your member login will be required. Need to renew your membership? Visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org/Renew today.

The Princeton Review: Getting Into Law School

Preparing to apply for law school? If so, you don’t want to miss this free Getting Into Law School Webinar, hosted by Phi Kappa Phi partner, The Princeton Review. Join us on Thursday, May 18, at 6 p.m. CT as we review law school application timelines and what you should expect. Plus, you will learn about everything you need for your law school application and how to stay on the right track.

Click here to register now.

If you are looking for in-depth review courses, test prep materials, or tutoring, don’t forget that the Society is partnered with The Princeton Review to offer members savings of up to 15% off all classroom, online and self-paced test prep courses for the LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, GRE, and more. Click here to access our exclusive promo codes and learn more. (Your member login will be required.)

Here are more resources that may help you prepare for law school:

Knowledge is Power | Review in-depth information about the LSAT, including how much it costs, how long the test is, and the maximum score you can earn.

Advice and Tips | Find all the answers to your questions and get sage advice from The Princeton Review team.

Test Dates | Learn more about upcoming LSAT test dates and registration deadlines.

Find the Right Law School | Compare schools based on location, admissions criteria, concentrations, tuition costs, and more.

Since 2005, our members have trusted The Princeton Review to help them prepare for test day and achieve their academic goals, and you can too!

Share You Initiation Photo and Win!

Calling all new initiates! We want to see your initiation photos and hear why you decided to join Phi Kappa Phi. Our gift to you for sharing could be a beautiful new customized frame for your initiation certificate from Church Hill Classics!

Enter our Initiation Photo Contest by the May 7, 2023, deadline for your chance to win. Submit up to five photos from your ceremony using the online form and include the reason why you decided to join the Society. High resolution JPEG or PNG images are preferred. All entries submitted will be posted to the Phi Kappa Phi Flickr page.

The national office will select one winner at random from all eligible photos to receive a customizable Church Hill Classics frame valued up to $150. The winner will be notified by May 10, 2023.

The contest is open to all active Society members. Click here for official rules and details.

Questions? Email news@phikappaphi.org.





Phi Kappa Phi Annual Report Showcases Achievements of 2022

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi today announced the publication of its 2022 Annual Report.

The report, themed Excellence Knows No Bounds, showcases a number of achievements of the past year made possible through the generosity of donors to Phi Kappa Phi. Thanks to generous support, in 2022 the Society was able to expand their recognition and promotion of academic excellence.

“We’re proud to highlight some of our remarkable award recipients in this year’s annual report. The love of learning, focus on excellence, and commitment to service illustrated by these award recipients embodies the spirit of Phi Kappa Phi,” said Society Executive Director and CEO Dr. Bradley R. Newcomer. “Our members continue to demonstrate their commitment to our Society’s ideals through donations and volunteer service. All trying to make tomorrow even better than today for this next generation of scholars and leaders. For that we are thankful as we continue our journey into a bright future.”

The exquisitely designed report features award-winning members, key chapter events, captivating photos and infographics, and much more.

Highlights of the 2022 Annual Report include:

• Tales and testimonials from Phi Kappa Phi award recipients.
• Exploring New Horizons: Announcing further expansion of Phi Kappa Phi awards program .
• Society and member milestones, including a welcome to the new Executive Director and CEO Bradley Newcomer.
• 125 Years of Excellence: Anniversary celebration looks back on the rich legacy of Phi Kappa Phi.
• Recognition of Phi Kappa Phi donors.

To read the 2022 Annual Report, visit www.phikappaphi.org/publications/annual-reports.