Galveston College Phi Theta Kappa Advisor, Regina Durante, Ph.D., was recognized with the 2024 PTK Paragon Award for New Advisors for her exemplary leadership and dedication to student success.
The Paragon is a leadership award presented to only 20 advisors among 3,000 throughout the international PTK organization. Awarded to advisors only once and with less than four years of service, the Paragon recognizes the outstanding leadership of the advisor through the significant contributions to the growth of individual members, serving as the chapter's advocate on campus, and encouraging the chapter's involvement in the local, regional and/or international levels of the organization.
Additionally, the Paragon Award highlights the advisor’s significant and sustained contribution to the academic, personal, and professional development of the PTK chapter members while providing opportunities for members to broaden their leadership skills, and prepare for future success after college.
“I am honored to have been nominated by our students and to have been awarded the 2024 Phi Theta Kappa Paragon Award for New Advisors,” said Durante, who is an Assistant Professor of Government at GC. “We have such dedicated and talented students who truly make overseeing PTK a joy. Galveston College is a wonderful college for students to shine and our PTK chapter has the brightest stars of all.”
Durante has been instrumental in inspiring students to join Galveston College’s PTK chapter. She has encouraged students to run for chapter officers, engage in PTK programming and benefits such as achieving the highest chapter Five Star level, guiding students through the Honors in Action Project, where students conducted original research on the Power of Play. In addition, Durante oversaw student completion of PTK leadership Edge courses, participated in sister chapter activities throughout the Texas PTK region, and facilitated the all-campus Scholarship Night, where students were guided through the process of completing PTK and Galveston College scholarship applications.
“It was an honor to nominate Dr. Durante for the Paragon Award,” said GC Associate Vice President for Student Services, Ron Crumedy. “She has made extraordinary strides in advancing the Sigma Gamma chapter of Phi Theta Kappa to a Five-Star status at Galveston College, which is one of only three chapters in Texas that hold this honor. We are proud of her accomplishment of being selected for this prestigious award and even prouder of her dedication as an advisor and advocate for some of our brightest students.”
Durante enthusiastically motivated students and consistently oversaw chapter activities while raising awareness and increasing the visibility of PTK among students and faculty on campus.
“No chapter advisor is more deserving of this award than Dr. Durante and the chapter is proud of her for achieving this recognition,” said GC PTK President, Miranda Donaldson. “She works tirelessly for the betterment of Galveston College and especially for the success of our Sigma Gamma chapter and we are proud to show our support for her. Dr. Durante has been instrumental in helping our Phi Theta Kappa chapter reach prestigious Five-Star status for two consecutive years and her contributions to the chapter will have a lasting impact for years to come.”
ABOUT GALVESTON COLLEGE
Galveston College was founded in 1967 and is a comprehensive community college providing the residents of Galveston Island and the surrounding region with academic, workforce development, continuing education and community service programs.