Skagit Valley College President Dr. Christopher Villa is one of 28 college presidents to receive the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society’s prestigious Paragon Award for New Presidents during PTK Catalyst 2023, the Society’s annual convention in Columbus, Ohio on April 21.
Villa and the other honorees being recognized were selected from a group of 406 eligible college presidents, chancellors, and CEOs.
The award requires recipients to have served three years or less. Recipients are nominated by students on their campus and are only eligible to receive the award once.
“I am deeply honored for this recognition by our chapter,” said Villa. “I’m so proud of the accomplishments these students have worked toward academically and through their work for their fellow students and the community.”
The award recognizes college presidents who have shown support of 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.
“These college presidents have students-first leadership styles and made it a priority to support student success both inside and outside the classroom,” says 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.”
Villa became SVC’s president on Sept. 1, 2022. He previously served as president at Portland Community College (PCC)-Rock Creek in Oregon and prior to that he served an accumulated 12 years as vice president of student services for Los Angeles Mission College, Fresno City College, and Long Beach City College. He earned his bachelor’s degree in social ecology from University of California, Irvine, a master’s degree in public administration from University of Southern California, and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy from University of Utah.
Villa has accomplished an impressive amount during his short tenure at SVC, including increasing enrollment by 24% compared to last spring and strengthening relationships with the superintendents at the K-12 school districts within our service district.
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.
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Marisa Pierce, Executive Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications
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