Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Rinck is a ‘Leader with Promise’

Photos and story by James Hill

Ann Rinck, a student at the Sylvania Campus, has been selected as a 2006 Leader of Promise by the national organization of Phi Theta Kappa, the national two-year honors society.

Only thirty students across the country are named Leaders of Promise annually and each receives a $1,000 scholarship. The purpose of the scholarship is to facilitate completion of associate degree studies and to encourage new Phi Theta Kappa members to serve in leadership positions in their chapter, college and community.

“I was very surprised,” said Rinck, who is the co-president of the Sylvania chapter. “So many people apply and I’m very excited I was chosen. This is an extremely big help because it will go towards schooling like tuition or books. I’m already working and going to school. I couldn’t do what I’m doing if I didn’t have scholarship assistance.”

Students are selected by application for this singular recognition based upon demonstrated leadership ability and academic achievement. The application involves a written essay, discussion questions, and a letter of recommendation from a college faculty member or administrator.

A Rainier native, Rinck is studying building and remodeling and splits her time between Sylvania and Rock Creek campuses. Her real love, though, is kitchen and bath design. Rinck is working on her Kitchen and Bath Design Certificate which is a new certificate still pending state approval.

“It was a case of being in the right place at the right time,” Rinck said. “I went to Rock Creek and spoke to Spencer Hinkle, who just got the go ahead on the kitchen and bath certificate. I was one of the first to sign up for it. It integrates hands-on building with hands-on construction. If you design it, you have to know how to build it.”

“It’s why I like my major,” she added. “I like being involved. You see something you initiated get completed.”

Rinck, 19, is in her second year at PCC. When she’s done with college she’d like to own a company that focuses on kitchen and bath remodeling. To develop her leadership skills, she joined the International Honors Institute in June, where she became an officer. The conference featured 500 other Phi Theta Kappa officers from all over the U.S.

“I was a little more comfortable as co-president after going,” Rinck said. “Before that I wasn’t at all comfortable. Now, I enjoy working in a leadership position.”

Rinck says she owes it all to PCC, where she has grown into a leader with promise.

“At PCC there is a lot more one-on-one instruction,” Rinck said. “Even though it’s more affordable, the quality is still great.”

Related Pages:

Phi Theta Kappa, Building Construction Technology