MTSU’s Phillips named president-elect of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

MTSU's Philip Phillips, president-elect for national Phi Kappa Phi and University Honors College associate dean

Middle Tennessee State University’s Philip Phillips, English professor and University Honors College associate dean, was elected this summer to serve as president-elect for The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi — the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.

During his 2024-26 term as president-elect, Phillips will serve on the society’s 12-person board of directors. His election represents a six-year commitment to the Society, including successive terms as president and past president.

Members of the 2022-24 Board of Directors of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi pose for a group photo at the organization’s biennial convention held in August 2022 in Orlando, Fla. Phillip Phillips, Middle Tennessee State University associate dean of the University Honors College and immediate past president of the MTSU Phi Kappa Phi chapter at the time, is third from right. (Submitted photo)

“I am fully committed, both personally and professionally, to the mission of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi,” Phillips said during his remarks to delegates at the Society’s convention. “I know firsthand the value of recognizing and promoting academic excellence, and especially supporting the scholarship, creative activity, study abroad opportunities and community service projects of our students who represent the full range of disciplines.”

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi President Sharhonda Rush — Sharhonda Rush

Dr. Philip Phillips, University Honors College associate dean and professor of English — Dr. Philip Phillips

Initiated into Phi Kappa Phi as an MTSU faculty member in 2011, Phillips has been an active leader of the honor society at the local and national levels. He served on the Phi Kappa Phi board of directors from 2018-20 and 2022-24. He has been a member of the bylaws, finance and budget, and fellowship committees and strategic planning taskforce.

“I am thankful for the presence of our president-elect, Philip Phillips, whose dedication and new ideas continue to invigorate our national board,” said Society President Sharhonda Rush. “Phi Kappa Phi’s governance structure thrives on the close collaboration among the president and president-elect. This teamwork ensures seamless and resilient leadership the continues to propel Phi Kappa Phi forward.”

Phillips holds master’s and doctoral degrees in English from Vanderbilt University and a bachelor’s in English from Belmont University.

At MTSU, he has served as graduate admissions director for the English Department and chair of the university’s Academic Master Plan committee.

Outside the university, he has been a member of both the diversity and research committees of the National Collegiate Honors Council, president of the Poe Studies Association and founder and director of the Great Books in Middle Tennessee Prisons program.

Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi has chapters in more than 300 select U.S. colleges and universities and inducts about 20,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni annually.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)