Eastern Iowa Community Colleges’ (EICC) Clinton Community College (CCC) President, Brian Kelly, will be recognized with Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society’s prestigious Paragon Award during the Society’s annual convention in Columbus, Ohio, April 20 - 22.

Kelly was selected from a pool of 406 college presidents, chancellors, and CEOs across the U.S. eligible for the award. To qualify, recipients must have served less than three years. Most notably, all 28 Paragon Award recipients were nominated by students at their respective colleges.

The award recognizes college presidents who have supported student success initiatives leading to stronger pathways to completion, transfer, and employment. They have taken an active interest in supporting high-achieving students and developing student leaders on campus. Recipients can only accept the award once in their careers.

“These college presidents have students-first leadership styles and made it a priority to support student success both inside and outside the classroom,” said Phi Theta Kappa President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “This award is special because it comes directly from the students, and it is evidence of the gratitude they feel for the support for them and students like them.”

The 2023 recipients are:

Dr. Vincent Bowhay
Independence Community College
Kansas

Dr. Kimberly Britt
Phoenix College
Arizona

Olivier Charles
Bishop State Community College
Alabama

Dr. Ronnie (Scott) Cook
Dyersburg State Community College
Tennessee

Dr. Lisa Dresdner
Naugatuck Valley Community College
Connecticut

Dr. Theresa Felder
Harford Community College
Maryland

Dr. Felicia Ganther
Bucks County Community College
Pennsylvania

Dr. Michael Gavin
Delta College
Michigan

Dr. John Hartog
Northwest Iowa Community College
Iowa

Dr. Jimmy Hodges
Calhoun Community college
Alabama

Tim Hood
Mid Michigan College
Michigan

Dr. David Johnson
Merritt College
California

Dr. Brian Kelly
Clinton Community College
Iowa

Dr. Justin Lonon
Dallas College
Texas

Dr. Daniel Lopez
Harold Washington College
Illinois

Kim Lopez
Cañada College
California

Dr. Daniel Lufkin
Tarrant County College
Texas

Dr. Jennifer Methvin
Arkansas State University
Arkansas

Dr. Paige Niehaus
Hillsborough Community College
Florida

Dr. Kathleen Plinske
Valencia College
Florida

Dr. Steve Robinson
Lansing Community College
Michigan

Dr. Greg Schulz
Citrus College
California

Dr. Vincent Solis
Brazosport College
Texas

Dr. Howard Spearman
Rock Valley College
Idaho

Dr. Stephen Vacik
Hinds Community College
Mississippi

Dr. Christopher Villa
Skagit Valley College
Washington

Dr. Jermaine Whirl
Augusta Technical College
Georgia

Lisa Willenberg
University of Arkansas Community College
Arkansas

Questions? We’re here to help. Contact us toll-free at 1-888-336-3907 or email eiccinfo@eicc.edu.

About Phi Theta Kappa


Phi Theta Kappa is the premier 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 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.