Toni Marek is an American author and former student officer of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), an international honor society for students at two-year colleges. She received regional and national media attention in 2015 after publicly alleging sexual harassment and misconduct by PTKâÂÂs then-executive director Rod Risley. In 2025, she was again the subject of news coverage in connection with litigation related to her unpublished manuscript '.
Marek attended Victoria College in Texas and served as a PTK student international officer during the 2013âÂÂ2014 term.
In March 2015, Inside Higher Ed reported that Marek and another former PTK student officer alleged sexual harassment, intimidation, and inappropriate conduct by PTK executive director Rod Risley. The report stated that Marek alleged Risley had engaged in unwanted touching during a PTK event.
The Victoria Advocate reported on MarekâÂÂs claims in April 2015, describing her account of alleged inappropriate conduct at a PTK dinner and her request for an independent investigation into the organizationâÂÂs leadership.
PTKâÂÂs board issued a public statement addressing the allegations and outlining its review process.
In July 2015, Inside Higher Ed and the Clarion Ledger reported that Risley retired from his position following the controversy.
In subsequent years, Marek continued publicly criticizing PTKâÂÂs governance. In April 2025, the Victoria Advocate reported that she launched a petition on Change.org calling for reforms within the organization; the petition was reported to have more than 17,000 verified signatures at the time of publication.
In 2025, Marek announced a manuscript titled ', described in regional reporting as critical of PTKâÂÂs leadership and operational practices.
Shortly before its planned release, PTK sought a temporary restraining order (TRO) in Victoria County, Texas to prevent publication.
The dispute became the subject of the case Marek v. Phi Theta Kappa. The TRO was initially granted on an ex parte basis but was later dissolved after a hearing. On April 15, 2025, a district court judge denied PTKâÂÂs request for a temporary injunction.
National commentary in Techdirt described the initial order as raising concerns about prior restraint under the First Amendment.