I am deeply honored to be entrusted with the role of President for the Illinois Region of Phi Theta Kappa during the 2023-2024 term. My journey began when I joined the Alpha Omega Xi chapter at Heartland Community College, where I also served as the Scholarship Officer. Currently, I am honored to lead as the Chapter President. Throughout my time with PTK, I have actively engaged in community service focusing on initiatives like collecting donations for local animal shelters and playing a vital role in organizing campus events that aim to reshape the narrative surrounding incarcerated individuals by fostering understanding and empathy. Before my academic pursuits, I embarked on a transformative adventure living in Yellowstone National Park for an inspiring four-year period. After that, I honed my skills in using DNA and historical records to identify unknown birth parents and facilitate reunions. This experience fueled my passion for justice and investigation, leading me to pursue a future in investigative genetic genealogy. Looking forward, I intend to delve deeper into Forensic Science and apply similar methods to solve cold cases. My ultimate aspiration is to contribute significantly to the field and bring closure to families who have long sought answers. As President of the Illinois Region, I am committed to promoting collaboration, academic excellence, and empowering fellow PTK members to unlock their full potential. Serving within Phi Theta Kappa and beyond is a privilege, and I am dedicated to leaving a lasting impact in all that I do.

Being a first time Phi Theta Kappa member this year, I am very honored to serve as Southern Vice President for the Illinois Region of Phi Theta Kappa for 2023-2024. I am also currently serving as Vice President of the Alpha Lambda Epsilon Chapter at Shawnee Community College. The last time someone from my chapter ran for Regional Office was back in 2004. That is why I am so proud and honored that the Southern Illinois Vice President is from the Alpha Lambda Epsilon Chapter at Shawnee Community College. I am currently serving as Shawnee Community College’s Student Trustee while working on my Associate of Arts degree to get started on my business degree. When I transfer to a university, along with getting a business degree, I will also work on a degree in aviation to fly commercial planes. As a Filipino who migrated in the United States during my freshmen year of high school, it was not easy for me. I thought moving to America would only bring me a better education and give me a great job in the future. Even though my thoughts were wrong, the United States brought me bigger opportunities. I served on Student Council and was Beta Club Vice President during my senior year of high school. I have received multiple scholarships, including band and choir scholarships from Shawnee Community College. I enjoy playing my flute in band, and I like doing musical plays.

I am very excited to serve as Central Vice President of the Illinois Region of Phi Theta Kappa for the 2023-2024 academic year. My start in PTK began when I was inducted as part of the Alpha Epsilon Kappa chapter in 2022 while pursuing my first associate degree in neurodiagnostic technology. While initially I only intended to pursue a single associate degree, my academic experiences ignited a newfound desire to learn like I never had, inspiring me to begin my path in pre-medicine as my next educational endeavor. Another passion I developed was helping others gain similar ambitions for their academic careers and to make community college the most nurturing environment possible for its students. These factors motivated me to run for Central VP, and I hope to provide my devotion, enthusiasm, and energy to help the Illinois Region meet its goals and be the best it can be. I'm also currently pursuing work as an EEG technologist so I can help with the diagnosis of epilepsy and strokes in neurology patients. Neurology has always been a significant interest of mine, and I plan to obtain a bachelor's in neuroscience in the future as part of my premedical program. Outside of professional work and academics, I am interested in music, hiking, tabletop RPGs, and chess.