STLCC-Florissant Valley President Earns PTK Award
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
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Gordon Award: PTK’s Top Honor for College Presidents
The late Shirley B. Gordon was the longest-serving board of directors chair of Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society for two-year colleges. She was also the longtime president of Highline College, a community college in Des Moines, Wash.
Perkins learned about the honor in an invitation to PTK’s presidents luncheon. The luncheon is Friday, April 4 during the organization's annual convention, located in the Kansas City Convention Center at Great Hall 3501. The award presentation follows at 2:30 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom.
"I applaud you for your active and direct commitment to the leadership development of your Phi Theta Kappa students – they are deeply grateful, and they're not alone. Your nomination is a testament to your role as a success champion for all students. The Gordan Award is particularly meaningful because it comes directly from your students, a recognition of the support you provide to them and others like them," wrote Lynn Tincher-Ladner, PhD, president and CEO of PTK. The letter made Perkins smile.
“To say I am truly honored would be an understatement! It is a pleasure to get to work with our exceptional PTK students and advisors, and I have loved doing so throughout my career,” Perkins said.
“I am grateful to PTK’s President and CEO, Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner and the PTK Board of Directors for leading the organization which allows our students to flourish. Of course, I am most grateful to our Pi Kappa Chapter advisors for their work in making the dreams of our students become a reality, and to the students for their consistent dedication to enhancing our College and our community,” she said.
For PTK, Perkins Takes the Pie
Through the years, Perkins has supported PTK in unique ways.
One year, she took more than 30 pies to the face for a PTK fundraiser. On another occasion, Perkins, along with the executive cabinet, answered student’s questions during a town hall PTK led. A former English professor, she encourages Progress Attained through College Education and dual enrolled students to apply for PTK membership scholarships and personally edits the applications.
The Gordon Award and Its Impact
Perkins helped create and administers the PACE program in partnership with St. Louis County Justice Services.
In one of the areas of the country with the highest recidivism rates, PACE provides individuals detained at the center (jail) with up to 24 credit hours of general education coursework while they await their court date.
Dual credit courses are college credit-bearing classes taught by high school teachers, usually at the student’s high school. The classes align with classes taught on STLCC campuses and provides students with a college-level experience that fits their schedules. Dual enrollment courses enable students to enroll in college courses while taking high school classes.
When asked for her support, Maria Darris, STLCC’s associate professor of nursing and co-advisor of the Pi Kappa chapter of PTK (she serves as co-advisor with Maria Petterchak, associate professor of nursing), cannot think of a time when Perkins answered no.
“Dr. Perkins is active, willing and unconditionally intent on helping PTK members get the scholarships and recognition they deserve. She is constantly asking how she can help at our events. This includes applications for scholarships, the annual college and honors-in-action and community projects,” she said.
“… She tirelessly campaigns for PTK every time she gets a chance to meet with students in the classroom. I have never observed a leader (being a former soldier, I don't say that lightly) so proud of helping the most marginalized members of her student population. She seems to "glow" in their presence. I originally came from the other side of the world (the Philippines) and her actions truly reminded me of home. I salute Dr. Perkins,” said Darris.
Perkins Sees Helping PTK as a Link to Archers
For example, last year she worked very closely with one of their members, Lucheal Brown, on the College Project, which was like speed dating for career exploration.
“It was wonderful to see our community come out in support of our students, and by working so closely with Lucheal, I got to know her even better. It was an honor to get to support her then at her PTK state awards ceremony and at her graduation. She was so impressive that I nominated her to speak at our All-College Professional Development Day,” she said.
“Had I not gotten to work closely with Lucheal on the project, I would have missed out on getting to know this incredible individual. Getting to support PTK students by working directly with them allows me to stay close to our students, something that is very important to me. I’m grateful that PTK and our advisors give me this opportunity.”
About Elizabeth Gassel Perkins, EdD
Elizabeth Gassel Perkins, EdD, is the recipient of the University of Montevallo National Alumni Association’s 2024 Nathalie Molton Gibbons Alumni Achievement Award. The award recognizes an alum over 35 whose contributions through their career or community service reflects positively on society at the local, state or national level.
In 2019, she received the Outstanding Education Award from North County Churches Uniting for Racial Harmony and Justice and was recognized by the Christian Hospital Foundation with a Drum Major Award in 2021. St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley earned North County Inc.’s 2021 Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Award under her leadership.
Perkins’ contributions stretch beyond campus as she serves as an executive board member and past chair of North County Incorporated, current board member of the Greater North County Chamber of Commerce and vice chair of The SoulFisher Ministries.
She accepted the campus president position in 2016, and the Pi Kappa chapter of PTK, which enjoys a five-star status, continues to flourish under her and its advisors’ care.