Lynn Tincher Ladner
Welcome to the exclusive digital showcase of Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, a distinguished leader in higher education with an exceptional career. This platform is dedicated to highlighting her profound commitment to advancing community colleges and advocating for students, showcasing her significant contributions to education and her unwavering dedication to empowering others. Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner takes pride in her continuous journey toward excellence — in championing the success of community college students and through her heartfelt contributions to the communities she serves. With a strategic approach and a genuine commitment to making a difference, Lynn is devoted to creating a lasting impact and supporting students through advocacy, mentorship, and educational initiatives, thereby enriching both the field of education and the broader community.
Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner: A Champion for Community College Students
Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner is a prominent leader in higher education, serving as the President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK), the oldest and largest honor society for students pursuing associate degrees and credentials from community colleges. With nearly three decades of experience in various educational roles, Dr. Tincher-Ladner has dedicated her career to creating opportunities for some of the nation’s most hard-working students, ensuring they have access to life-changing scholarships and employment opportunities that can sustain their families.
Dr. Tincher-Ladner’s journey to her current role is both diverse and inspiring. She began her career in 1990, a time when the landscape of education and employment was vastly different from today. Starting as a waitress at Shoney’s, she navigated a path that saw her rise through the ranks of academia, taking on roles as a high school teacher, graduate assistant, community college instructor in mathematics, chemistry, and physics, and later as a computer programmer, database administrator, and institutional researcher. These roles provided her with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the education sector, particularly at the community college level.
Her academic credentials are as impressive as her professional journey. Dr. Tincher-Ladner holds a Ph.D. in Community College Leadership from Mississippi State University and both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics from the University of Southern Mississippi. Her passion for education, particularly in STEM fields, is evident in her self-identification as a “steminist,” reflecting her commitment to advancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, particularly for underrepresented groups.
In her role as President and CEO of PTK, Dr. Tincher-Ladner has become a national advocate for community colleges and their students. She leverages her extensive experience and data-driven research to tell the stories of these institutions and their students, highlighting the critical role they play in the broader educational landscape. Her work is not confined to the administrative offices; she is a frequent speaker at national conferences, where she presents state-of-the-art statistics on student success. Her speeches are known for their ability to inspire and inform, drawing on her extensive research and her personal experiences in education.
Despite her introverted nature, Dr. Tincher-Ladner has embraced her role as a public figure in the education sector, using her platform to advocate for community college students and institutions. She serves on several national boards, including the College Promise Campaign and the Center for Community College Student Engagement. These roles allow her to influence policy and practice at a national level, further amplifying her positive impact on the education sector.
Dr. Tincher-Ladner is also an active participant in social media, where she connects with a national audience. Her Twitter and Instagram accounts serve as platforms for her to share insights, success stories, and advocacy efforts related to community colleges and their students. She uses these channels to engage with students, educators, and policymakers, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose among her followers.
Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Tincher-Ladner’s personal story is one of resilience and determination. She often refers to her experiences as an “advanced degree from the school of hard knocks,” a testament to the challenges she has overcome throughout her career. Her story is an inspiration to many, particularly to the students she serves, who often face their own significant challenges in pursuing higher education.
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society: Empowering Community College Students
Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK) is the leading honor society for students at associate degree-granting colleges. Founded in 1918, PTK has a long and distinguished history of recognizing academic achievement among community college students. With over 1,250 chapters across the United States, U.S. territorial possessions, and 11 sovereign nations, PTK has inducted more than 4 million members since its inception, with approximately 230,000 active members currently.
PTK’s mission is to recognize and celebrate the academic achievements of community college students while providing them with opportunities to develop professional and leadership skills, secure scholarships, explore diverse career paths, and build a network of supportive peers and colleagues. PTK is more than just an honor society; it is a powerful community that empowers students to take control of their futures.
One key benefit of PTK membership is access to a trusted network of insiders—people who can help students unlock the wisdom they need to achieve their goals. This network is invaluable for students who are building their futures, as it provides them with academic recognition and resume-building opportunities that help them stand out from the crowd.
PTK also strongly emphasizes redefining success for its members. The society connects students to the training and resources they need to discover their full potential and make success their own. This focus on personal growth and self-efficacy is at the heart of PTK’s work, as society understands that student success is closely tied to engagement and a sense of agency.
While PTK primarily focuses on providing programming and support for its members, the society also recognizes that student success does not happen in a vacuum. Through its research, PTK has learned that success is complex and requires coordinated and intentional efforts by students, colleges, individuals, organizations, policymakers, and members of business and industry. PTK works to bring these stakeholders together, leveraging the experiences and voices of its members to advocate for the value of community college education.
Community colleges are quality institutions, and PTK members are some of the best pieces of evidence of that quality. The society is committed to elevating the value of the community college experience, providing students with platforms and opportunities to advocate for themselves and their peers. PTK’s work ensures that community college students are recognized and supported in their educational journeys, helping them to achieve their full potential.
Thank you for visiting the online showcase of Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, a distinguished leader in the educational sector with a remarkable career. Under her leadership, PTK continues to serve as a beacon of support for community college students, providing them with the resources, recognition, and opportunities they need to find success in their educational and professional endeavors.