The Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society named GCC's Alpha Xi Theta Chapter advisor, Susan Swirsky, among its Distinguished Advisors for Continued Excellence for her service in 2016.

Swirsky became an advisor for Phi Theta Kappa in 2005 and also serves as an Associate Regional Coordinator for the New England Region, a position she has held since October 2013. 

Swirsky is currently the Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Development and Community Partnerships and has been with Gateway Community College for over 33 years.

The Distinguished Advisor Award recognizes advisors who have served at least four years and have made significant contributions to the growth of the individual chapter members, served as the chapter’s advocate on campus, and encouraged the chapter to be involved on the local, regional, and/or international level of the organization. 

Advisors are nominated by their chapters through the Hallmark Awards application process. Honorees are selected by a panel of judges from over 75 nations worldwide.

Established by Missouri two-year college presidents in 1918, Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society serves to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and provide opportunities for individual growth and development through honors, leadership and service programming. Today, Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in American higher education with more than two million members and 1,200 chapters located in all 50 of the United States, U.S. territories, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Germany, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, United Arab Emirates and Palau. In 1929, the American Association of Communication Colleges recognized Phi Theta Kappa as the official honor society for two-year colleges.