Phi Theta Kappa is the oldest and most prestigious honor society serving two-year colleges with an approximate membership of 3.5 million individuals across the United States and worldwide.

Its purpose is to recognize and encourage academic excellence among students of two-year colleges. It also aims to promote individual growth through programs that provide leadership training, continual scholarship, fellowship among scholars, and service to the community.

Phi Theta Kappa comes from the first letters of the Greek words phronimon (phi), thumos (theta), katharotes (kappa) meaning wisdom, aspiration, and purity, respectively. The society's colors are blue for scholarship and gold for purity.