Honor. Excellence. Impact.

Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi (PKP) is the nation’s oldest and most selective honor society for all academic disciplines. Its mission is to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others. Since its founding, PKP has initiated more than 1.25 million members. Each year, approximately 30,000 members are initiated.

Caldwell University, Chapter 335, received its charter in April 2016.

Current Chapter Officers

2025-2026

• Prof. Neil Malvone, President
• Dr. Lily Tsoi, President-Elect
• Maria Miceli, Treasurer
• Elizabeth Skinner, Secretary

Past Presidents

• Dr. Ellina Chernobilsky (2023-2024)
• Dr. Susan Hayes (2022-2023)
• Dr. Agnes Berki (2019-2022)
• Lynne Alleger (2018-2019)
• Dr. William Velhagen (2016-2018)

Eligibility

• Membership in Phi Kappa Phi is by invitation only per the national PKP eligibility guidelines. Letters of Invitation are only issued by the local chapter and sent via email and regular mail in early Spring.

Phi Kappa Phi Grant and Scholarship Awards

PKP has multiple award programs for active members.

We highly encourage eligible members to apply for these awards! Caldwell chapter members have been fortunate to receive the Pioneer Awards and Fellowship Awards.

For undergraduate students:

• Pioneer Award: This award ($1,000) encourages and rewards undergraduate members for developing research, engagement, and leadership skills necessary to become a successful scholar. Forty Pioneer awards are given out each year. 
  Application deadline: June 1
• Fellowship Award: This award (from $8,500 to $35,000) provides funding to students entering the first year of graduate or professional study. Forty-eight fellowships are awarded each year. 
  Application deadline: April 15
• Study Abroad Grant: This award ($1,000) supports undergraduates as they seek knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad. Seventy-five grants are awarded each year.
  Application deadline: March 15

For graduate students:

• Love of Learning Award: This award ($1,000) funds post-baccalaureate professional development, which include but is not limited to, graduate or professional studies, doctoral dissertations, continuing education, career development, travel related to teaching/research/learning, etc. One hundred fifty-five awards are given out each year.
  Application deadline: June 30
• Dissertation Fellowship: This award ($10,000) supports students in the dissertation writing stage of doctoral study. Awards are for 12 months of dissertation writing. All pre-dissertation requirements should be met by the application deadline, including approval of the dissertation proposal. Twelve Dissertation Fellowships are awarded each year.
  Application deadline: November 30
• Graduate Research Grant: This award (up to $1,500) provides funding for research in support of career development opportunities to active members attending graduate school. Twenty graduate research grants are awarded each year.
  Application Deadline: November 30

For faculty and staff members:

• Literacy Grant: This award (up to $2,500) funds ongoing literacy projects or new initiatives.
  Application Deadline: April 1
• Mary Todd Sabbatical Award: This award ($50,000) supports a sabbatical period or similar reassignment of duties. One faculty member will be awarded each year.
  Application Deadline: October 1
• Scholar & Artist Award: This award honors individuals who demonstrate the ideas of Phi Kappa Phi through their lifelong activities, achievements, and scholarship. Each awardee receives a recognition citation, life membership, and a $1,000 donation to a nonprofit cause of their choice. The Scholar award recognizes excellence in teaching, research,h and public service. The Artist award recognizes the achievements of those who, in addition to their outstanding scholarship, have displayed talents in the broad realm of the arts–creative, graphic, performing, visual, and/or fine arts.
  Application deadline: April 1 (every 3 years; next in 2027)
• Distinguished Service Award: This award honors an individual who has provided sustained, non-compensated volunteer service to others beyond the realm of academia. The awardee receives a recognition citation, life membership, and a $1,000 donation to a nonprofit cause of their choice.
  Application deadline: April 1 (every 3 years; next in 2027)