Xi Epsilon Members Learn and Grow
Led primarily by students who weren’t active in the group during most of the 2020-21 school year, the Xi Epsilon chapter realized tremendous successful this academic year. It recently attended state- and international-level conventions, where it earned numerous honors.
“I am so proud of this group of students who were willing to grow and learn with the organization and focus their efforts on our four hallmarks of scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship,” said Sandra Arumugam-Osburn, Ed.D., advisor for the honor society chapter. “We are excited to have more students participate in the coming years.”
The most prestigious awards came at the international convention in early April. Both a student and an administrator were recognized for their outstanding leadership.
Zoraya Piedra, a second-year Early College student, was honored with the 2022 Distinguished Chapter Officer Award. That honor is given to a student leader based on the recipient’s demonstration of leadership, promotion of Honors in Action and other engagement in the society, and enthusiasm for the society’s hallmarks.
Honors in Action combines academic research, problem solving and service to address real-world challenges.
“I never realized how much I’ve grown since I joined Phi Theta Kappa until today,” Piedra said. “Meeting lifelong friends and building connections within my community has been a huge aspect of my enthusiasm for service and leadership. I’m honored to receive such an award that represents my arduous work throughout this school year.”
Forest Park President Julie Fickas, Ed.D., earned the Paragon President Award, designated for new college presidents and campus CEOs who have served three years or less at their institutions. It recognizes those presidents who demonstrate exemplary dedication to their schools’ chapters of Phi Theta Kappa.
At the Missouri Regional Convention in March, the Xi Epsilon chapter received the following awards:
- Distinguished Chapter — Fourth place (out of 26 chapters)
- Distinguished Theme Award — Theme IV: Expressions of Truth
- Honors in Action Project Award – Challenging Inherited Perceptions of Homelessness or the Unhoused
- College Project Award
- Distinguished Chapter Officer Team
- Hall of Honor Chapter Member – Amy Staggs
- Hall of Honor Chapter Officer and Distinguished Chapter Officer – Adelaide Robinson-Nunnelly
- Hall of Honor Chapter Officer and Distinguished Chapter Officer – Zoraya Piedra
- Regional Alumni Hall of Honor – Tamala Turner
- Paragon Advisor Award – Sandra Arumugam-Osburn
“Looking back to all the chapter’s project planning and various research trips, I can proudly say that the Xi Epsilon chapter made a significant impact on the Forest Park campus and our community in St. Louis,” Piedra said. “The awards won this year not only represent our hard work, but also our courage and resilience to find solutions to stigmatized topics. It has been a successful year for the chapter.”