Phi Theta Kappa honors three Tennessee college presidents, two senior college administrators with its top awards

Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor society for community college students, presented its Paragon Award for New Presidents to three Tennessee community college presidents during its annual convention last week.

Nominated by their students, the three Tennessee presidents are among 25 from across the nation honored with the Paragon Award, which recognizes college presidents who have served in their roles for less than three years who have shown support of student success initiatives leading to stronger pathways to completion, transfer, and employment. They also help lead and support students and in developing student leaders on campus.

The Tennessee presidents honored with the Paragon Award are:

• Dr. Jeff McCord, Northeast State Community College
• Dr. Carol Rothstein, Jackson State Community College
• Dr. Wendi Tostenson, Volunteer State Community College

“These new college presidents have demonstrated, right from the start, that student success is at the heart of their leadership,” said Phi Theta Kappa President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “This award is especially meaningful because it comes directly from the students, reflecting their appreciation for leaders who prioritize their growth and achievement.”

In addition to the presidents, PTK recognized two Tennessee college senior administrators among 25 from across the U.S. with Distinguished College Administrator Awards.

• Dr. James Barham, Dyersburg State Community College, Dean of Arts, Science, and Technology
• Dr. Angi Smith, Walters State Community College, Vice President of Student Services

The award recognizes college administrators working directly with student leaders to solve problems on campus and in their communities. They also have taken an active role in supporting high-achieving students and developing student leaders. Honorees were selected from among thousands of college administrators eligible to receive this award.

“These college administrators are personally invested in the success of their students,” Dr. Tincher-Ladner said. “This award is special because it comes directly from the students and reflects their deep appreciation for leaders who go beyond administration—engaging with, supporting, and empowering students to have a more meaningful and successful college experience.”

The five community colleges represented by the presidents and other senior leaders recognized by PTK are part of the College System of Tennessee, governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents.

“These awards are a national recognition of what we in Tennessee already know: our community and technical colleges – and their presidents, faculty and staff – are among the very best,” said TBR Chancellor Flora W. Tydings. “We’re proud that these awards are another recognition of their success in serving their students, their communities and their state every day.”

The full list of 2025 Paragon Award recipients is here and the full list of 2025 Distinguished College Administrator Award honorees is here   

About Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa is the first honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 220,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.