Matthew Detweiler
International President
International President Matthew Detweiler will receive an associate of arts degree at Richland College in Dallas, Texas, and plans to transfer to a four-year university. He will study for a bachelor's degree in Communications, and intends to apply for a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford University in the United Kingdom. Matthew's career goal is to become a community college professor, teaching speech and interpersonal communications.
After a failed first attempt at a four-year school, Matthew chose community college. "Going back, I had a renewed focus and energy that has allowed me to be successful," he said. Although Matthew was not familiar with Phi Theta Kappa initially, his invitation came at a time when he was setting new goals for himself and in general making attempts to re-establish himself. "I thought that Phi Theta Kappa held many of the ideals that I personally once held and wished to return to," he commented.
Matthew views time constraints as a challenge facing most community college students. "It is very difficult to have the self-discipline to plan for the amount of time it takes to study and be successful in class. With many students having to work and attempting to have some form of social life outside the constraints of their colleges, students can often become overwhelmed with everything that needs to be done. Time management is extremely important if you have plans to be a successful student and leader in life."
Matthew has served as an officer and as president of his Phi Theta Kappa chapter. He was nominated and selected by his college president and chancellor to attend the Community College National Legislative Summit, sponsored by the Association of Community College Trustees, in Washington, D.C. Matthew has been named to the Texas Regional Hall of Honor and the Texas District II Hall of Honor.
