Riverland Community College President Kathleen "Kat" Linehan has received the esteemed Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) New President Award, the college announced last Friday, in recognition of her outstanding support for student success and her commitment to fostering high-quality learning environments both inside and outside the classroom.

PTK is the international honor society for students at two-year colleges, and the New President Award is a prestigious honor presented to new college presidents who have demonstrated a strong commitment to student success and proactively encouraged leadership development. President Linehan’s deep dedication to student achievement and her active engagement in leadership development have significantly enhanced the educational experience for students at Riverland Community College.

In a letter to President Linehan, PTK President and CEO Lynn Tincher-Ladner lauded her, stating, "Your active and direct engagement in the leadership development of your PTK students is commendable. Your students are most appreciative, and it is not just them. Your nomination was powerful evidence of a student success champion for all students."

Prior to her tenure at Riverland Community College, President Linehan served as Vice President of Academic Affairs at Wisconsin Western Technical College from 2018 to 2022. She also held various positions at Mohawk Valley Community College, part of the State University of New York system, accumulating extensive academic leadership experience. This rich background has provided a strong foundation for her successful role at Riverland Community College.

The New President Award was presented during PTK Catalyst 2025, the society’s annual convention held from April 3-5 at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, Missouri. President Linehan was honored at the President’s Luncheon on April 4 and officially received the award at the Third General Session. The session featured a special guest speaker, Steve Burns, the original host of the popular children's television program "Blue's Clues," adding further significance to the occasion.

Riverland Community College stated in a press release, "We extend our heartfelt congratulations to President Linehan on this significant achievement and will continue to actively support all her efforts in promoting student success and leadership development."

About Phi Theta Kappa (PTK):

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) 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. 1  Established in 1918, PTK has grown to encompass more than 1,300 chapters in 11 nations, with approximately 3.5 million members around the world. The society offers various programs, including scholarships, leadership conferences, and service projects, to support its members' development and success. The New President Award, established by PTK in 2021, recognizes college presidents who, within their first three years in office, have shown strong support of student success on their campus by recognizing academic achievement, leadership, and service among high-achieving students.