BLOOMINGTON – Ivy Tech Community College associate professor of English, Samantha Levy-Arnold, Ph.D., has been named Indiana regional coordinator of Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges.
“I am excited to work closely with students throughout the Hoosier state,” Dr. Levy-Arnold said. “As an educator, one of my strengths include being a ‘developer,’ seeing the potential in others and helping them reach that potential. I am grateful to have this opportunity to do so on a state-wide level and cannot wait to begin helping the Indiana Region grow within the Phi Theta Kappa organization.”
In 2016, Dr. Levy-Arnold’s association with Phi Theta Kappa began when she became the Alpha Rho Sigma chapter’s contact advisor. Under her mentorship, Alpha Rho Sigma has remained a five star chapter and has become more integrated within the campus community by volunteering at New Student Orientation and promoting their Commit to Complete Week initiatives. Since her affiliation with Phi Theta Kappa began, “Dr. Sam” – as her students affectionately call her – has applied for and received yearly grants to help subsidize membership fees for students. In 2018, she received Indiana Region’s Paragon Award for New Advisors and, along with her co-advisor, Indiana Region’s Distinguished Chapter Advisor Team Award.
Dr. Levy-Arnold earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in English and creative writing from Florida State University. Her creative work has appeared in various literary journals and anthologies. She gives back to the community by including service learning components in her English courses as well as being co-coordinator of the Judy O’Bannon Youth Leadership Academy – a free program for local seventh and eighth grade students designed to promote leadership skills and foster civic engagement. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Jewish Theatre of Bloomington.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest public postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state's engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, long- and short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns with the needs of the community. The College provides a seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor's degree.