#IAmPTK
by Peter Dilshan Don
I am an international student at LaGuardia Community College. Coming to the United States allowed me to experience things I’ve never dreamed of. However, it partially cut off from the things I been doing for a long time; things I’ve enjoyed. When I was in Sri Lanka, I was an active member of (highly involved with) the Leo club, an international non-profit volunteering organization, while maintaining good academic performance. I joined the Leo organization through my high school Leo club. After the graduation, my friends and I charted our own Leo club outside the school. As a longtime Leo member who held many positions in the Leo community, I had many opportunities to serve my community, practice my leadership skills and connect with people.
When I arrived at LaGuardia Community College as an international student, I was overwhelmed by excitement. It has been awhile since I’ve engaged in academic and extracurricular activities. I was determined to get back on my track and resume my higher education. I discovered Phi Theta Kappa of LaGuardia Community College during the club fair at the student orientation day. Then and there I set my goal to become a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Because, for me, it was the best way to create my old familiar life in a new environment.
My first experience as a PTK member was at the club fair of new student orientation Fall 2017; the same place I learned about PTK the year before. PTK officers and members including myself provided information about our PTK chapter, requirements, and benefits of being a PTK member to freshmen and transfer students. Eventually, as I get closer with PTK officers and members, I understood that this is a community of like-minded students who get together to build relationships, celebrate academic achievements, practice leadership skills and pursue higher goals.
I count myself fortunate to able to be a part of the Leadership committee. As a Leadership committee member, I had the opportunity to closely work with talented and creative diverse group of people which I haven’t been able to do as a Leo member. We created and conducted a leadership workshop (in a series of 5 total) based on the book, “Leadership Learning” by Barry Posner and James M. Kouzes with the help of Professor Chris Singh who is a Student Leadership Specialist for Student Affairs at LaGuardia Community College. During the preparation work, I got to share my knowledge and experiences on leadership and learned about my team’s perspective on leadership roles and their experiences of being leaders. We discussed characteristics of leaders, challenges and how to overcome them, value-based motivations, goal orientation and many other aspects of leadership. This experience helped me to gain deep understanding of fundamental principles and skills of leadership while improving my public speaking skills.
As an amateur photographer, I am always looking for an opportunity to practice and show off my photography skills. I am grateful that PTK officers and advisors gave me the opportunity to put my skills into practice as a photographer in many PTK events and activities such as PTK induction ceremony, PTK talks, HIA event and Cultural Appreciation Day.
I am honored and proud to be a part of this community, because it helps me to find my inspiration, motivation and assistance to build my personal and professional development.
I am an international student at LaGuardia Community College. Coming to the United States allowed me to experience things I’ve never dreamed of. However, it partially cut off from the things I been doing for a long time; things I’ve enjoyed. When I was in Sri Lanka, I was an active member of (highly involved with) the Leo club, an international non-profit volunteering organization, while maintaining good academic performance. I joined the Leo organization through my high school Leo club. After the graduation, my friends and I charted our own Leo club outside the school. As a longtime Leo member who held many positions in the Leo community, I had many opportunities to serve my community, practice my leadership skills and connect with people.
When I arrived at LaGuardia Community College as an international student, I was overwhelmed by excitement. It has been awhile since I’ve engaged in academic and extracurricular activities. I was determined to get back on my track and resume my higher education. I discovered Phi Theta Kappa of LaGuardia Community College during the club fair at the student orientation day. Then and there I set my goal to become a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Because, for me, it was the best way to create my old familiar life in a new environment.
My first experience as a PTK member was at the club fair of new student orientation Fall 2017; the same place I learned about PTK the year before. PTK officers and members including myself provided information about our PTK chapter, requirements, and benefits of being a PTK member to freshmen and transfer students. Eventually, as I get closer with PTK officers and members, I understood that this is a community of like-minded students who get together to build relationships, celebrate academic achievements, practice leadership skills and pursue higher goals.
I count myself fortunate to able to be a part of the Leadership committee. As a Leadership committee member, I had the opportunity to closely work with talented and creative diverse group of people which I haven’t been able to do as a Leo member. We created and conducted a leadership workshop (in a series of 5 total) based on the book, “Leadership Learning” by Barry Posner and James M. Kouzes with the help of Professor Chris Singh who is a Student Leadership Specialist for Student Affairs at LaGuardia Community College. During the preparation work, I got to share my knowledge and experiences on leadership and learned about my team’s perspective on leadership roles and their experiences of being leaders. We discussed characteristics of leaders, challenges and how to overcome them, value-based motivations, goal orientation and many other aspects of leadership. This experience helped me to gain deep understanding of fundamental principles and skills of leadership while improving my public speaking skills.
As an amateur photographer, I am always looking for an opportunity to practice and show off my photography skills. I am grateful that PTK officers and advisors gave me the opportunity to put my skills into practice as a photographer in many PTK events and activities such as PTK induction ceremony, PTK talks, HIA event and Cultural Appreciation Day.
I am honored and proud to be a part of this community, because it helps me to find my inspiration, motivation and assistance to build my personal and professional development.
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