Phi Kappa Phi Announces 2026 Literacy Grant Recipients

by Alyssa Papa

Baton Rouge, LA (07/08/2026) — The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, today announced its 2026 Literacy Grant recipients. The grants of up to $2,500 were awarded to 8 Phi Kappa Phi members across the nation.

The Literacy Grant Program, established in 2003, is part of the Society's robust portfolio of award and grant programs, which currently gives more than $1 million each year to outstanding students and members through study abroad grants, graduate fellowships, funding for post-baccalaureate development and member and chapter awards. Drawing from a multidisciplinary society of students and scholars from large and small institutions, the grants help fund projects ranging from traditional reading initiatives to those fostering learning in cultural, digital, health, historical literacy and beyond.

The 2026 recipients and their respective projects are:

Andrea Arias Swenson, Career Literacy PLC

Stephen Bay, Library-Based Naloxone Literacy Training

Trish Biddix, Promoting Lifelong Learning Beginning with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Laurie Garo, I am the Storyteller: The Power of Storytelling for Children's Literacy and Self-Efficacy

Metrid Okumu, Digital Magazine & Media Lab

Elahe Mahmoudi, Metacognitive Reading Workshops for Adult ESL Learners: Read, Monitor, Succeed

Liberatus Rwebugisa, Project RISE: Rising Incomes for Socioeconomic Empowerment

Eden Toner, Oxford Picture Dictionary Workbooks

"Advancing literacy is fundamental to Phi Kappa Phi's commitment to lifelong learning and the pursuit of knowledge," said Society Executive Director and CEO, Dr. Bradley R. Newcomer. "Through these grants, we are proud to support members who are creating meaningful opportunities for individuals and communities to learn, grow, and thrive. Their dedication to expanding access to literacy and education reflects the very values our Society champions, and we congratulate this year's recipients on the lasting impact of their work."

The winning literacy projects were selected for a grant based on a number of criteria including the project's scope, student and community involvement, impact, duration and ability to achieve success.

To learn more about this year's recipients and projects, please visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org/2026Literacy.

About Phi Kappa Phi

Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts approximately 20,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni annually. The Society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and universities in the United States and its territories. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. The Society's mission is to "cultivate a community that celebrates and advances the love of learning." For more information, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

Phi Kappa Phi Announces 2026 Literacy Grant Recipients

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

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