Members of Coahoma Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) chapter recently attended the Mississippi/Louisiana Region Fall Leadership Conference held September 4–5 at the Clyde Muse Center in Pearl, MS. The two-day conference brought together PTK scholars from across the region for leadership training, networking, and professional development.
This year’s conference theme, “The Power of PTK Stories: Engagements with Leadership and Success,” highlighted the importance of student voices and experiences in shaping pathways to achievement.
The event began Thursday, September 4, with registration, a hospitality reception, and opening sessions led by regional officers and Hinds Community College representatives. Highlights of the evening included the formal induction of regional officers, a keynote address, dinner, and a social networking event that encouraged collaboration among PTK chapters.
The second day of the conference, Friday, September 5, provided an enriching schedule of college fairs, interactive educational forums, and leadership workshops hosted by institutions such as Millsaps College, Mississippi State University, and the University of Southern Mississippi. Students also participated in general sessions featuring a guest speaker, closing announcements, and door prizes.
“This conference gave our students the opportunity to see the power of PTK beyond our campus,” said Joharisson Rockett, PTK Advisor at Coahoma Community College. “They connected with other scholars, learned from outstanding speakers, and gained insight into how leadership and academic excellence intersect.”
For many Coahoma students, the conference was not only a chance to represent their chapter but also a moment to grow personally and professionally.
“Attending the PTK Fall Leadership Conference was an inspiring experience,” said Karmese Leflore, a member of Coahoma’s PTK chapter. “I left motivated to take on new leadership roles and bring back what I learned to help strengthen our chapter and encourage my peers.”
Conferences like these provide PTK students with exposure to a wide range of educational and career opportunities, foster networking with peers and professionals, and equip them with skills that extend far beyond the classroom. From developing confidence in public speaking to understanding how to collaborate across diverse groups, the experience helps prepare students for both academic success and future leadership roles.
Coahoma’s PTK students returned from the conference energized and ready to continue embodying the values of scholarship, leadership, service, and fellowship on campus and in the community.