From five students who gathered in Virginia’s Raleigh Tavern in 1776 to more than 500,000 current Phi Betes, The Phi Beta Kappa Society has flourished for 243 years, thanks to generations of members dedicated to lifelong learning in the arts and sciences. At the Society’s national office in Washington, D.C., two ΦBKs are hard at work engaging members with a range of activities and resources, and overseeing an ever-growing 290 chapters and 50 associations.
Director of Chapters and Associations Ann McCulloch has been at Phi Beta Kappa’s headquarters since 2014. Inducted at Albion College, where she studied political science and public service, she brings extensive public affairs, member relations, and storytelling experience to her present role. She believes sharing our Phi Beta Kappa stories is essential to helping students understand the Society’s importance and encouraging members to stay involved after graduation.
Member Engagement Associate Jayne Ross joined ΦBK’s staff earlier this fall. Ross is a recent inductee and graduate of Virginia Tech with degrees in creative writing and technical writing, and minors in French and history. She has previously enjoyed working with youth-centered nonprofits and coordinating Virginia Tech’s annual undergraduate literary festival. Deeply appreciative of her own liberal arts education, she looks forward to helping members explore all that ΦBK has to offer.
Together, McCulloch and Ross are especially passionate about connecting members with the variety of resources and experiences that the Society makes available. Associations are a great place to start as they offer members opportunities to plug into their communities, meet new friends, network, and support undergraduates at local ΦBK chapters. Phi Betes who don’t live near an association can also reach out to local chapters or participate in the Society’s thriving online community, where they can find our Key Conversations podcast, arts and sciences advocacy toolkits, and exclusive LinkedIn group. Additionally, ΦBK’s magazine The American Scholar offers the podcast Smarty Pants, plus Spoiler Alert, a vibrant, virtual book club.
Much has changed since those five students met in 1776, but Phi Beta Kappa’s commitment to fostering a lifelong love of learning has remained steadfast. McCulloch and Ross look forward to continuing this commitment as they work with Phi Beta Kappa members across the country. You can reach them at amcculloch@pbk.org and jross@pbk.org.
Photo at top (L-R) : Member Engagement Associate Jayne Ross and Director of Chapters and Associations Ann McCullouch