A KNUST alumnus and former president of the Department of Language and Communication Sciences at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Zakariah Issah has been inducted into two prestigious academic honor societies in the United States.

As a graduate student ranked among the top 10% of his class at West Virginia University, Zakariah earned induction into Kappa Tau Alpha, the national honor society for journalism and mass communication, as well as Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline honor society, with chapters at more than 300 colleges and universities across the United States.

Founded in 1910, Kappa Tau Alpha recognizes academic excellence, scholarship, and integrity among students in journalism and mass communication.

Its membership is highly selective and reserved for students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and leadership potential in the media and communication field.

The society promotes ethical journalism, research, and professional development, connecting members to a distinguished network of scholars, journalists, media practitioners, and communication professionals.

Similarly, Phi Kappa Phi is internationally respected for recognizing excellence across all academic disciplines with its membership strictly by invitation and extended to students with exceptional academic distinction.

The society supports scholarship, leadership, and service through fellowships, grants, networking opportunities, mentorship, and professional development initiatives.

Zakariah’s induction into these societies signifies not only academic excellence but also recognition of his potential to contribute meaningfully to journalism, communication, research, and global public discourse.

Through these memberships, he gains access to scholarships, research grants, academic conferences, leadership opportunities, and collaborations with accomplished professionals and scholars worldwide.

Reflecting on the milestone, Zakariah described the achievement as a continuation of a journey that began at KNUST.

“Being part of the first cohort of Media and Communication Studies at KNUST meant we were not just students; we were helping to build a vision from the ground up. From lecture halls to student leadership and journalism spaces on and off campus, KNUST taught me how to find my voice, lead with purpose, and use communication as a tool for impact. Those experiences shaped my confidence to compete on global platforms and prepared me for moments like this. Every recognition I receive today carries a piece of the training, resilience, and identity I gained at KNUST,” he said.