Riverland Community College is proud to announce that President Kathleen “Kat” Linaker was selected to receive the prestigious Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Paragon Award for New Presidents. This esteemed award recognizes new college presidents who have demonstrated outstanding support for student success and have fostered high-quality learning environments both inside and outside the classroom.

Linaker’s dedication to student achievement and her active engagement in leadership development have significantly enhanced the college experience for Riverland students. In a letter from PTK President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, she commended Linaker, stating, “I applaud you for taking an active and direct interest in the leadership development of your Phi Theta Kappa students—they are so grateful, and it’s not just them. Your nomination was strong evidence that you are a student success champion for all students."

Prior to her tenure at Riverland, Dr. Linaker served as Vice President of Academics at Western Technical College in Wisconsin from 2018 to 2022. She also held positions at Mohawk Valley Community College which is part of the State University of New York, bringing a wealth of experience in academic leadership to her role at Riverland.

The award was presented during PTK’s Annual Convention, April 3 to 5, 2025, at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Dr. Linaker was honored at the Presidents Luncheon on Friday, April 4, followed by the award presentation during the Third General Session. The session featured guest speaker Steve Burns, best known as the original host of the children’s television program Blue’s Clues.

Riverland congratulates Kat Linaker on this well-deserved recognition and remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote student success and leadership development.

Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society for students at associate degree-granting colleges. With more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters across 11 nations, PTK recognizes academic excellence and provides opportunities for leadership, scholarship, service, and fellowship. The organization empowers students to grow as scholars and leaders and to make a lasting impact in their communities and beyond.

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