Chapter Overview
Mission
Vision
HISTORY
Phi Delta Kappa (PDK) International, established in 1906, is a professional organization focused on supporting teachers and school leaders. The American University (AU) Chapter, Zeta Eta Campus Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, was initiated and installed on May 8, 1965. The induction was performed by International and District Officers from Minnesota, Utah, Mississippi, Nebraska and Indiana. The initiation team was from The Beta Gamma Chapter at The George Washington University. At that time it was a professional fraternity for men in education. Sixty-six men were initiated into PDK including charter member, Dr. Thomas L. Penn. In 1974, the first class of women was initiated into the chapter. Like PDK International, the current women and men of AU PDK exercise their collective leadership ensuring that the chapter is a vibrant, active organization that supports the vision, mission, and core values of PDK International.
2025-2026 Chapter Goals
President: Dr. Keith E. Robinson's
Theme: Let’s Examine Our Current Position, Our Future Direction, and Our Strategies for Achieving These Goals:
Long-Term Goals:
Vision
HISTORY
Phi Delta Kappa (PDK) International, established in 1906, is a professional organization focused on supporting teachers and school leaders. The American University (AU) Chapter, Zeta Eta Campus Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, was initiated and installed on May 8, 1965. The induction was performed by International and District Officers from Minnesota, Utah, Mississippi, Nebraska and Indiana. The initiation team was from The Beta Gamma Chapter at The George Washington University. At that time it was a professional fraternity for men in education. Sixty-six men were initiated into PDK including charter member, Dr. Thomas L. Penn. In 1974, the first class of women was initiated into the chapter. Like PDK International, the current women and men of AU PDK exercise their collective leadership ensuring that the chapter is a vibrant, active organization that supports the vision, mission, and core values of PDK International.
2025-2026 Chapter Goals
President: Dr. Keith E. Robinson's
Theme: Let’s Examine Our Current Position, Our Future Direction, and Our Strategies for Achieving These Goals:
- Reconsider the structure of the executive board.
- Improve the management of meetings by amending the chapter bylaws and ensuring adherence to them.
- Increase chapter membership
- Key Data Points and Trends (The focus will be membership for all generally, but Black male educators, specifically).
Long-Term Goals:
- Establish a Black male teachers endowment fund in which donations are made annually led by Dr. Robinson and the other men in the Chapter.
- Meet and partner with local and regional chapters to lead and fund high impact Chapter projects.
- Partner with the University of the District of Columbia to:
- Complete the mobile library project,
- Reinstate a local UDC-PDK Chapter, and
- Establish an Educator's Rising Chapter @ UDC
Executive Board
President:
Dr. Keith E. Robinson
Immediate Past President/Vice President/Programs:
Mrs. Cassandra Penn Lucas
Vice Presidents/Membership:
Mr. Linwood Bowers & Ms. Angela Green
Treasurer:
Mr. Anthony Hyman, Jr.
Secretary:
Dr. Gladys Williams
Historian: Vacant
Foundation Representative:
Mrs. Vassar J. Baldwin
Delegate:
Mrs. LaVerne P. Brown
AU (#0151) Chapter Advisor:
Mrs. Gloria C. Smith
Assistant Chapter Advisor:
Mr. Keon Drake
First Alternate Delegate:
Mrs. Adrienne Herriott
Newsletter Editor:
Ms. Nicole Travers
Newsletter Assistants:
Mrs. LaVerne P. Brown & Mr. Keon Drake
Special Concerns Representatives:
Ms. Barbara McClurkin & Ms.Theresa McClurkin
Research Representative:
Dr. Katherine James
Grants Development Representative:
Dr. Keith E. Robinson
Financial Secretary/Technology Coordinator:
Mrs. Wanda Means-Harris
Dr. Keith E. Robinson
Immediate Past President/Vice President/Programs:
Mrs. Cassandra Penn Lucas
Vice Presidents/Membership:
Mr. Linwood Bowers & Ms. Angela Green
Treasurer:
Mr. Anthony Hyman, Jr.
Secretary:
Dr. Gladys Williams
Historian: Vacant
Foundation Representative:
Mrs. Vassar J. Baldwin
Delegate:
Mrs. LaVerne P. Brown
AU (#0151) Chapter Advisor:
Mrs. Gloria C. Smith
Assistant Chapter Advisor:
Mr. Keon Drake
First Alternate Delegate:
Mrs. Adrienne Herriott
Newsletter Editor:
Ms. Nicole Travers
Newsletter Assistants:
Mrs. LaVerne P. Brown & Mr. Keon Drake
Special Concerns Representatives:
Ms. Barbara McClurkin & Ms.Theresa McClurkin
Research Representative:
Dr. Katherine James
Grants Development Representative:
Dr. Keith E. Robinson
Financial Secretary/Technology Coordinator:
Mrs. Wanda Means-Harris
