Student Success
Zoe Horne Vies for PTK International President
RALEIGH, N.C. (April 3, 2024) – Wake Tech's Zoe Horne is taking her ambition to be "bold and fearless" to the next level this week as she continues her campaign for International President of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK).
PTK is the international honor society for two-year colleges.
An Associate in Arts student and current vice president of PTK's Carolinas Region, which includes North Carolina, South Carolina and Bermuda, Horne is one of four community college students across the U.S. vying for the prestigious leadership position. Voting takes place at PTK Catalyst, the honor society's annual conference in Orlando, FL. She's the first Wake Tech student to run for PTK international president.
With a passion for uplifting others, Horne says her quest to be president stems from her desire to motivate and inspire community college students to overcome challenges and realize their full potential. Her campaign slogan is "Bold and Fearless."
"Growing up, I struggled with low self-confidence and often sought validation from others," she says. "PTK has empowered me to push through those insecurities independently. While I've learned to appreciate the support of others, I've also discovered how to cultivate my own confidence, seize growth opportunities and fulfill bucket=list dreams."
In addition to PTK, Horne is a certified Mental Health First Aider, a Certified Nurse Assistant, a Student Money Management Ambassador, a member of Future Business Leaders of America and a student mentee in Wake Invests in Women, an initiative to close the wage and representation gaps for women in Wake County and the greater Triangle.
"I firmly believe that community colleges provide an outstanding environment for academic excellence, leadership development, community engagement and lasting friendships,” she says.
Horne's campaign kicked off in February. She spent the past two months showcasing her bold and fearless ideas to the international PTK membership through her website, videos and social media. In March, she advanced to the semifinals.
Once she arrives in Orlando this week, she'll continue to campaign in person. She'll also deliver a 90-second speech on the topic of The Power of Stories to an audience of more than 3,000 on Saturday before the final voting takes place.
"I'm so excited that I've made it this far and now have the opportunity to push myself even more in Orlando,' she says.
So, what else is on Horne's bucket list?
"I want to learn to surf, go skydiving, teach a class, be published, give a TED talk and try goat yoga," she says. "PTK has been my catalyst for stepping beyond comfort zones, overcoming challenges and emerging as a bold and fearless individual. I'm thrilled to see what new experiences and adventures are next."
