Past Presidents

Angelin Barker 2008-2009

Angelin Barker is affectionately known to most as AJ. She was raised in Halifax County and graduated from Halifax County High School. She relocated specifically to attend the New River Community College nursing program. After her first semester at NRCC, she was immediately eligible for the honor society and subsequently was a member her remaining five semesters. She served as secretary during the 2006-2007 academic year and as president during the 2008-2009 academic year. She attended two International PTK conventions in Philadelphia and Nashville. AJ graduated from New River in May 2009 and moved to Roanoke to work at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. She currently works on the Stroke/Neuro PCU and loves her job.

Daniel Burgess 2007-2008

Daniel Born and raised in Virginia, Daniel was homeschooled his by his parents, from kindergarten through his senior year in high school. He then enrolled at New River Community College to start his college career and incidentally, his first experience at a "real" school. Daniel quickly adjusted and learned to excel. He was invited to join Phi Theta Kappa. He served as Treasurer from 2006-2007, and President from 2007-2008. The Virginia Community College System recognized Daniel in their Student Leadership Showcase in 2007, and he was also deemed a Leader of Promise by Phi Theta Kappa that same year, awarding him one of thirty scholarships worth $1,000. In 2008, he was named to the top 10 First Virginia Team during the All-USA Community College awards. Daniel graduated from NRCC in 2008 with an A.A.S. in Information Technology, and a specialization in Computer Graphics & Web Design. He decided to continue his education at Radford University, where he is pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science & Technology with concentrations in Software Engineering and Databases. Daniel continues to excel at RU, and plans to graduate in May of 2010. He hopes to get a local job where he can utilize his skills and give back to the community.

Rebecca Poe 2006-2007

Rebecca Poe's picture In February 2005, Rebecca received her GED and began attending classes at NRCC. After her first year at NRCC, she was eligible to join Phi Theta Kappa, and immediately became actively involved. During her time at NRCC, she was blessed with numerous scholarships and awards, including the New River Community College Educational Foundation Scholarship, the Coca-Cola Two-Year College Scholarship and was selected for the All Virginia Academic Team. In spring 2007, she received her associate degree in Arts and Sciences in Science from NRCC.

In fall of 2007, she transferred to Virginia Tech as a biology major. Her interest lie primarily in molecular biology and microbiology, and as a result, she is now double majoring in microbiology and biochemistry. She works in the lab of Dr. Tokuhisa, investigating Steroidal Glyco-Alkaloids which are secondary metabolites found in the potato plant. Her experiences in the lab have provided many research opportunities, including becoming familiar with running high performance liquid chromatography. She has also worked with Dr. Jensen in bioinformatics research. Rebecca hopes to attend graduate school and go into full-time laboratory research in biochemistry, microbiology, or bioinformatics.

James Eric Sheppard 2005 – 2006

A native of Blacksburg, Eric Sheppard served as the Phi Theta Kappa president during the 2005 and 2006 academic year. He joined the United States Army Reserves in April of 1989, while he was a junior at Blacksburg High School. While in the Reserves, he was a member of the rifle and pistol shooting team. During summer between his junior and senior year, he attended and completed basic training at Fort Benning in Georgia. Upon graduation from Blacksburg High School he finished his Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Benning and commenced active duty in the United States Army. He was sent to Desert Shield/Desert Storm where he served as an Infantryman and received his Combat Infantryman’s Badge. Shortly after, his daughter, Tiffany Renee was born.

He was later stationed in Korea, Fort Knox where his son Eric Neil was born, Fort Hood, and Fort Bragg. While at Fort Bragg he received his Expert Infantryman’s Badge. In June 1999 he was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant and returned to Blacksburg. He enrolled at New River Community College in fall 2003. While a student at NRCC, he made the President’s list, was selected for the All Virginia Academic Team, was nominated to the USA All Academic Team, and served as a senator in the Student Government Association. During the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, he helped to organize collections for those residents of New Orleans who were relocated to Christiansburg. He also was the president of Phi Theta Kappa when they received the first star in the Five Star Program.

While completing the last semester of his degree program at NRCC he was accepted to Virginia Tech. He graduated from NRCC magna cum laude in May 2007 with degrees in Science, Education, and General Studies. He then transferred to Virginia Tech and in spring 2009 he received his bachelorette degree from Virginia Tech in Agricultural Sciences with minors in Environmental Science and Biology. While at Virginia Tech helped to reestablish the FarmHouse fraternity and was a member of service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega. He also was in numerous honor fraternities including: Omicron Delta Kappa (ΟΔΚ), Golden Key International Honour Society, and Gamma Beta Phi (ΓΒΦ). He continued his education and received his Masters degree from Virginia Tech in spring 2011 in Agricultural and Life Sciences with a concentration in Biosecurity, Bioregulations, and Public Health.

Monica Rich 2004-2005

A native of Rustburg, Virginia, Monica Rich served as the Phi Theta Kappa President from 2004 to 2005. As a junior in High School, she and her family moved to Columbia, South Carolina, where she graduated from Irmo High. Monica has taken courses at Francis Marion College (now University) and Midlands Technical College in SC, before receiving her Associate degree in Science from New River Community College. She held the distinction of serving as SGA President while concurrently serving as PTK President. She also received the honor of being on the Dean’s List and President’s List. She received certification in Medical Terminology and Medical Transcription.

After returning to the New River Valley to be closer to family, Monica began working in the area. She now enjoys working as the Administrative Assistant to two associate deans in the College of Liberal Arts & Human Sciences at Virginia Tech while also coordinating the college’s event planning and travel for the dean and associate deans.