Member Spotlight – Latesha Higgs

Latesha Higgs, a Baltimore native, is an author, teacher, podcaster and mental health advocate. She was initiated into Phi Kappa Phi at Mercer University, where she recently graduated with a master’s in educational leadership.

In 2016, Latesha founded a non-profit to better women and girls in underserved communities through youth development programs, coaching, mentoring, and support services. She is passionate about serving her community and is a trainer for several National Alliance on Mental Illness programs. She also volunteers with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and with local shelters for the homeless and displaced veterans.

Latesha teaches fifth grade within the Clayton County Public School system in the Atlanta metro area and serves on the Budget Advisory and District Advisory Councils for the school system. In 2019, under the leadership of psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Hale, the Special Advisor to the Office of the President at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Latesha was one of the founding members of the Congregational Depression Awareness Program in Baltimore, Maryland.

“I have won several community words for the work I have done, yet words alone still cannot explain how fulfilled, overjoyed, and at peace I am when I am helping and advocating for others.”

Let’s get to know Latesha!

Why did you accept the invitation to join Phi Kappa Phi?
I love that PKP members continue to volunteer in their communities long after graduation. I'm looking forward to networking with members and gaining new strategies and skills that I can use to further my career. I believe that membership in PKP will help open doors and opportunities for me to better serve and advocate for others.

Where does your passion for mental health come from?
I lost my only brother to suicide when he was 14 and was deeply troubled and angry that the subject of his death became taboo in my family, church, and community. I was eventually diagnosed with a mental health condition as well, and learning to navigate the stigma I experienced led me to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI gave me the confidence to accept my condition and advocate for others. As a NAMI speaker, I am always humbled by the number of people who feel comfortable enough to approach and thank me for giving them the courage to fight similar stigmas and share their stories.

What is your favorite thing about your hometown?
Oh, that's easy—egg custard snowballs and crabs! I grew up in Baltimore City, and buying a snowball is a treat that every city kid loves in the summer. A Baltimore favorite is the egg custard flavor, and I really can’t describe the taste, it is mmm,..mmm good! Now that I live in Georgia, I miss eating crabs with friends. You have to crack open what feels like a million crabs just to get full, but the fellowship with others while doing so is priceless.

What’s the best vacation you’ve ever been on?
My favorite vacation was to Cancun, Mexico. I enjoyed breakfast on the beach, meeting the locals, and trying new dishes. I'm a geek about exploring historical places, so you can imagine how excited I was when we took a bus to visit Tulum Xel-Há.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I am most proud of launching a non-profit. It is definitely hard work but so rewarding and fulfilling. We're still a very small organization, but I have big dreams and plans for us to go global! I want to launch a chapter of The DIVA Effect, Inc in every underserved community to eliminate barriers to resources and opportunities for the less fortunate while helping develop ways to strengthen the communities.

What is your favorite holiday?
I absolutely love cooking big meals and the fellowship with those near and dear during Thanksgiving. The laughs, stories shared, and games played bring me so much joy. Christmas is a close second. My son is 25, and I still love decorating the Christmas tree with him. This year, I hope to become a foster parent to a sibling pair who perhaps have been in the system for a while, and I look forward to creating memories with them over both holidays.

What piece of advice would you share with someone entering college?
Choose your tribe carefully. Iron sharpens iron. It is easy to lose focus of your purpose for attending college if you don't surround yourself with people who will challenge you to do and BE your best.

Do you have any pets?
I absolutely love animals and have two cats—Aaliyah and Summer. One of my students found Aaliyah when she was six-week-old during recess, and I took her home and scheduled an appointment with a local veterinarian. I kept her and named her after the student who found her. I adopted Summer from PetSmart when I moved to Georgia. I wish I could say that they get along perfectly, but they both get a little jealous when I'm giving the other a little more attention. My hope is to complete my fur family with a Yorkie.

What are your hobbies?
Well, when I do find the time, I love to read or journal in the park, hike, exercise, or try new dishes. I also love photography--taking pictures and being in them. I want to learn the art of photography one day.

What is your favorite food?
I enjoy eating seafood. From salmon and catfish to shrimp and mussels. I absolutely love seafood!

To learn more about Latesha 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.

Design a Custom Frame for Your Membership Certificate

Earning an invitation to join Phi Kappa Phi is an academic accomplishment few achieve. Now that you have your membership certificate in hand, make sure you preserve it for years to come

Phi Kappa Phi partner, Church Hill Classics, offers high-quality certificate frames that incorporates the Society’s logo and colors. Create your one-of-a-kind frame by choosing from a variety of frame moldings, mat colors and materials to design a frame that complements your home or office decor.

Plus, Church Hill is offering $35 off their custom membership certificate frames with code SaveExtra now through May 31, 2023.

If you wore a Phi Kappa Phi stole or medallion to your graduation ceremony, don’t forget to incorporate these keepsakes into your custom frame.

Church Hill's archival-quality materials and products cover more than just certificate frames. You can also shop for photo frames, a gold engraved medallion paperweight and a shadow box for your graduation cap.

Visit www.DiplomaFrame.com/PKP to design your frame and shop today!

Member Mentions - May 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:

Giorgia Cannici (Virgina Tech), Gavin R. Clausman (University of Alabama at Birmingham), Andrew C. Couch (The University of Alabama in Huntsville) were awarded a Tau Beta Pi Fellowship. The engineering honor society selected 32 engineering students from 351 applicants to receive a $10,000 graduate fellowship.

Sara Frank (McKendree University) was awarded McKendree University’s 2023 William Norman Grandy Faculty Award. The Grandy Award is given annually to recognize commitment to students and the ideals promoted by the university. She is also the first McKendree faculty member to win all three prestigious awards-the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award, the United Methodist Exemplary Teacher of the Year Award, and the William Norman Grandy Faculty Award – in a single academic year

Sara Pacer (Auburn University) was awarded the Brad Davis Southeastern Conference Community Service Leader of the Year Award. She will receive a $10,000 post-graduate scholarship, provided by the SEC.

Denise Skonberg (University of Maine) was recognized for her research that advances the sustainability of seafood and kelp, both by reducing food waste and innovating new products, like a savory fish-sauce style condiment made from invasive green crabs.

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

The Princeton Review Presents: Graduate School Overview Webinar

Preparing to apply for graduate school? If so, reserve your spot today for our virtual Graduate School Admissions Overview Workshop in collaboration with our partner, The Princeton Review, on Monday, June 19, at 7 p.m. CT.

Learn the terrain of the graduate school landscape through in-depth discussions of all facets of the admissions process, including:

Choosing programs and paths based on your values and goals
Setting yourself up for success during your undergraduate and gap years
Crafting a competitive application

Whether you are looking to pursue law school, business school, or other master's or Ph.D. programs, walk away with action items to prepare you for your next chapter.

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 GMAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, 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 grad school:

Knowledge is Power | Begin your journey to graduate school by researching schools and programs to find the perfect fit.

The Right Fit | Use these tips to focus your attention on a few, carefully selected schools, and choose the best fit.

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

Application Timeline | Access a sample application timeline and start crafting your plan to get into your dram school.

Statement of Purpose | Follow these tips to write an effective graduate school statement of purpose.

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!

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Announces Study Abroad Grant Recipients

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, today announced the recipients of a 2023 Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant. The $1,000 grants were awarded to 125 students across the nation.

The grants are designed to support undergraduates, both members and nonmembers from campuses that have Phi Kappa Phi chapters, as they seek expanded knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad.

“In today’s increasingly interconnected world, studying abroad provides students with an opportunity to expand their cross-cultural knowledge and competencies,” said Society Executive Director and CEO Dr. Bradley R. Newcomer. “We are pleased to support these students by helping them expand their horizons through our study abroad grant program.”

The selection process for a study abroad grant is based on the applicant’s academic achievement, campus and community service, relation of travel to academic preparation and career goals, a personal statement, letters of recommendation and acceptance into a study abroad program.

Established in 2001, the Study Abroad Grant Program is part of the Society’s robust portfolio of award and grant programs, which gives more than $1.3 million each year to outstanding students and members through graduate and dissertation fellowships, funding for post-baccalaureate development, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives.

For the complete list of recipients from the program, please visit www.phikappaphi.org/2023studyabroad. The application process for 2024 will open on Dec. 15, 2023.

Big Move? Access Big Savings!

Are you moving on to your next big adventure? Let Phi Kappa Phi partner, Budget Truck, make your move a smooth ride with savings of 20%.

Budget Truck provides reliable, easy-to-drive trucks in a variety of sizes up to 26' and 24/7 roadside assistance at no additional cost. Plus, you support the Society each time you move with Budget Truck.

Make your reservation at www.BudgetTruck.com/PhiKappaPhi or call 800-566-8422 and mention Phi Kappa Phi account number 56000134543. The discount will be automatically applied.

Need help organizing your moving plan? Check out Budget’s Complete Moving Guide and take the stress of changing addresses. The start-to-finish guide includes a comprehensive list of outlines, guides, checklists, best practices, tips, and more.

Want to access more savings? Learn more about all the discounts available to active Phi Kappa Phi members at www.PhiKappaPhi.org/Discounts.

Deadline Approaching for Phi Kappa Phi Pioneer Awards

Apply today to become one of the inaugural recipients of a Pioneer Award. The deadline to apply for the awards is Thursday, June 1.

Phi Kappa Phi’s Pioneer Awards are designed to encourage and reward undergraduate members for developing the research, engagement, and leadership skills necessary to become a successful scholar. Fifty awards, at $1,000 each are distributed each year. The competition is open to all active undergraduate Phi Kappa Phi members who meet the eligibility requirements.

The selection process for Phi Kappa Phi Pioneer Awards is based on the applicant’s promise of continued success in baccalaureate study, as evidenced by undergraduate academic achievement, service and leadership experience, personal statement, work sample and letters of recommendation.

The Pioneer Awards are the newest addition to the Society’s robust portfolio of award and grant programs, which gives $1.3 million annually to qualifying students and members through graduate and dissertation fellowships, undergraduate study abroad grants, member and chapter awards, and grants for local, national, and international literacy initiatives.

The deadline to apply for the Pioneer Awards is Thursday, June 1. For more information, visit www.phikappaphi.org/pioneer or contact Kelli Partin at kpartin@phikappaphi.org.

Submit Your Graduation Photos for a Chance to Win!

Attention, graduates! It's time to commemorate your remarkable achievement of earning a degree! Whether you struck a pose wearing your Phi Kappa Phi regalia during a memorable commencement ceremony or a professional photoshoot, be sure to share your photos with us for a chance to win a Lenovo Yoga 6 laptop or an Amazon gift card, and to be featured in Society materials.

To enter, click here to submit your photo(s) by June 25, 2023. Please limit your submission to no more than five photos. High resolution images (JPEG or PNG) are preferred.

The first-place winner will receive a Lenovo Yoga 6 laptop, second place will receive a $100 Amazon gift card, and third place will receive a $50 Amazon gift card.

Click here for more details  including official rules and submissions from previous graduation photo contests.

Questions? Contact news@phikappaphi.org.

Announcing the Initiation Photo Contest Winner

We asked members to share photos from their initiation ceremonies and you delivered! Phi Kappa Phi is excited to announce Andrea Winton, from the San Jose State University chapter, as the winner!

Phi Kappa Phi received more than 150 entries for the contest. As the randomly selected winner, Winton will receive a customizable Church Hill Classics frame (up to $150 value) for their membership certificate.

All Society members can protect their Phi Kappa Phi certificates, diplomas, graduation regalia and other valuable keepsakes with custom frames from Church Hill Classics. Click here to browse their entire collection which can be customized to suit your taste and décor with assorted mat colors, molding, and styles. You can even incorporate the Phi Kappa Phi logo!

Visit our Flickr album to see all of the contest entries. Watch for the winning entry, along with other submissions, to appear in various Phi Kappa Phi marketing and promotional materials. And stay tuned for details about the Spring Graduation Photo Contest, which will open May 15.

Love of Learning Feature - Liberatus J. Rwebugisa

Phi Kappa Phi is proud to highlight Liberatus J. Rwebugisa from University of Nevada, Reno. Rwebugisa was a 2022 Love of Learning Award recipient.

Phi Kappa Phi’s Love of Learning Awards are designed to help fund post-baccalaureate professional development for active Phi Kappa Phi members to include (but not be limited to): graduate or professional studies, doctoral dissertations, continuing education, career development, travel related to teaching/research/learning, etc. Two hundred awards, at $1,000 each are distributed each year.

Rwebugisa, Co-Founder & CEO (volunteer) at Advocacy for Tanzania Sustainable Development used the funds to publish a book. The book’s purpose is to help Tanzanian students and other learners build a strong Swahili-English linguistic foundation for their academic success.

Rwebugisa stated, “Phi Kappa Phi has held my hand since my initiation in 2016. I cannot find the proper words with which to explain how profound the PKP support has been to me and my professional and career aspirations. I am truly grateful.”

The Love of Learning Awards, established in 2007, is part of the Society’s robust portfolio of award and grant programs, which gives $1.3 million annually to qualifying students and members through graduate and dissertation fellowships, undergraduate study abroad grants, member and chapter awards, and grants for local, national, and international literacy initiatives.

The deadline to apply for a Love of Learning Award Friday, June 30. For more information, visit www.phikappaphi.org/loveoflearning or contact Kelli Partin at kpartin@phikappaphi.org.

Up for Discussion: Who’s the Best Teacher You’ve Ever Had, and Why?

With this month’s observance of National Teacher Appreciation Week, celebrated across the country from May 8-12, many of us have been reminded of teachers who made a big difference in our lives.

Who’s the best teacher you ever had, and why? We’d love to get your responses, and we’ll plan to include a sampling in the autumn issue of Forum. It’s all part of “Up for Discussion,” a regular Forum feature in which members share their views on a fun question we can all enjoy.

“I've been lucky to have many great teachers, but one that comes to mind is Blanche Kevlin, my freshman algebra teacher. She taught equations as a way of teaching life, helping us understand that most problems, approached methodically, could be solved with enough care and hard work. It's a lesson I've applied to many other aspects of my life,” said Danny Heitman, Forum editor.

Share stories about your own favorite teacher by replying to this discussion in our online member community, Link. Responses of no more than three or four sentences are recommended, and we look forward to reading your contributions.

The 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.

Not active? Click here to renew your membership and gain access to this exclusive benefit.

Free GMAT Practice Test Available

Preparing for the GMAT? If so, you don’t want to miss this free GMAT Practice Test, hosted by Phi Kappa Phi partner, The Princeton Review, on Saturday, June 3, at 9 a.m. CT.

Find out how you will score on the real GMAT by taking a full-length practice test under realistic testing conditions. Try your hand at the types of questions you’ll see on the real test and get a personalized score report highlighting your strengths and areas of improvement.

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 GMAT, GRE, MCAT, LSAT, and more. Click here to access our exclusive promo codes and learn more. (Your Phi Kappa Phi login will be required.)

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

What is the GMAT | Review in-depth information about the GMAT, including how to register, how the exam is scored, when scores expire, subjects tested and more.

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

GRE vs GMAT | Learn more about each exam and find out which one is right for you.

Find the Right Business School | Compare business schools based on location, 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!

Extend the Conversation: How Do You Know Spring is Arriving?

In our Spring 2023 Forum issue, naturalist Janisse Ray writes that that the blooming of Carolina jessamine near her Georgia home is an early sign that spring is on its way. If you missed Ray’s lovely essay, you can read it here.

What signals the arrival of spring in your area? For Danny Heitman, editor of the Forum, it's the first white bloom of his mayhaw tree in Louisiana. Perhaps it's a blossoming plant, a nearby park turning green, or the observance of a cultural tradition in your community that signals spring for you.

We’d love to hear about what heralds spring’s arrival in your part of the world. Share your thoughts in Extend the Conversation, and feel free to share pictures, too!

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.

Save on Summer Travel with Phi Kappa Phi

Summer is here! If you are planning a summer vacation, save money with exclusive discounts from Phi Kappa Phi’s travel partners. Members and their families can access exclusive savings on airfare, hotels, car rentals, theme park admission, sports and theater tickets, and much more!

Avis Rent A Car
Save up to 30% off base rates on every rental. Enjoy a stress-free car rental experience and superior services so you're ready for whatever the journey brings. Visit www.Avis.com/PhiKappaPhi to reserve your car today.

Budget Car Rental 
Get a quality vehicle at a budget-minded price at nearly 1,800 rental locations worldwide. Active members can save up to 25% off base rates by visiting www.Budget.com/PhiKappaPhi.

Collette Guided Travel
As a guided travel pioneer for more than 100 years, Collette can help you book your next adventure. With destinations on all seven continents, their experts can handle the details so that you can focus on having fun. Visit www.GoCollette.com/PhiKappaPhi to find out how to save up to $600 per person when you book a tour.

Check off bucket list destinations and say hello to savings on worldwide travel during Collette’s Spring Sale. Book your trip of a lifetime between May 15 and 22, 2023, and you could save up to 20% with code HELLOSPRING23. Plus, all savings are combinable with your member savings noted above for an even bigger discount! Exclusions apply. Click here to learn more.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Members can receive a 5% discount on standard, undiscounted daily, weekly and monthly rates. Click here to book your reservations at one of their 7,200 branches in cities, airports and neighborhoods near you.

MemberDeals
Access deals and savings on airfare, hotels, movie tickets, sports and concert tickets, and more. Plus, members can find exclusive offers to the nation’s top attractions, including Walt Disney World, Universal, and Six Flags. Click here to find your perfect deal today!  

National Car Rental
Time-sensitive customers can quickly choose their own vehicles and simply drive away, all while saving 10% on National's standard, undiscounted daily, weekly and monthly rates. Click here to book your reservation today. The discount will be automatically applied to the internet best rate.

The Parking Spot
Join the Spot Club Exec program to access a 10% discount on long-term parking and shuttle service at airports across the country. Click here to create your account or download the Parking Spot app to your iOS or Android device and enter corporate code PhiKappaPhi to activate your discount.

Road Scholar Guided Travel
From San Francisco to Siberia, let Road Scholar's instructors guide you on a transformative learning adventure. Visit www.RoadScholar.org/HSPKP to sign up for a catalog, and you’ll receive $100 off your first Road Scholar adventure.

We encourage you to make the most of your membership by taking advantage of these great discounts. To learn more about all the discounts available to active members, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org/Discounts.