Florida College System Congratulates the Florida’s All-USA Community College Academic Team Members
April 21, 2016
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Florida College System Congratulates the Florida’s All-USA Community College Academic Team Members
Tampa, Fla., April 21, 2016 – Today, at an awards ceremony in Tampa, Florida College System (FCS) Chancellor Madeline Pumariega recognized the students who were selected to represent Florida on the 2016 All-USA Community College Academic Team. The All-USA Community College Academic Team highlights high-achieving students who have demonstrated academic excellence and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and community service.
“I congratulate each of these outstanding students who earned a place on the All-USA Community College Academic Team,” said Division of Florida Colleges Chancellor Madeline Pumariega. “The Florida College System is proud to have 3 students recognized nationally as model students in academics, leadership and service to others. I look forward to following the careers of these student leaders.”
State Board of Education Chair Marva Johnson served as the event’s keynote speaker and shared personal experiences from her education journey and expressed how the educators she was privileged to have in her life influenced the person she is today.
“It was a privilege to spend time with these remarkable young men and women from the Florida College System who have already made an impact on their fellow students, their schools’ leaders and their communities,” said Chair Johnson. “As they make decisions about the next steps in their education and career, I hope they will stay right here in Florida where our businesses and economy can benefit from their talents.”
Annually, each community college is invited to nominate up to two students per campus. Each student’s scholarship application undergoes a multi-level review that takes into account the student’s grades, leadership activities and, most importantly, how students extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. This year, more than 1,900 students from 1,000 community colleges were considered for this honor.
At the conclusion of the review process, 20 team members received a $5,000 scholarship, a total of $100,000 in scholarship awards. In addition to the scholarships, team members were introduced at Phi Theta Kappa's Presidents Breakfast during the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Convention on April 12 in Chicago.
The FCS is proud to recognize the three students from Florida named as a part of this prestigious group:
Maria Alejandra Ortiz, Miami Dade College – InterAmerican Campus, Fla. Ortiz is pursuing an Associates of Arts degree in Biology. She is dedicated to volunteer opportunities and is serving as Founder and President of Helping Hands and Vice President of Pencils of Promise club. Her volunteer work also includes Farmshare food distribution, Miami Rescue Mission, Mother Teresa Mission of Charity, Centro Mater Child Care Center, Miami Dade College Kendall Campus Single Stop Department.
Joshua Pickering, Santa Fe College – Gainesville Campus, Fla. Pickering is a student veteran who served in the United States Navy from 2009 to 2013. He served as a Supplemental Instructor at Santa Fe College, providing tutoring for Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus and Calculus. Additionally, Pickering organized the College's Phi Theta Kappa participation in last year's Relay for Life. He is on track to complete his Associate of Arts degree with Santa Fe Honors in Spring 2016 and will also earn his Santa Fe College Honors Program Certificate with Highest Honors, by virtue of completing 17 credits of Honors-level coursework.
Shawn Zamani, Hillsborough Community College – Tampa Campus, Fla. Zamani is pursuing a degree in Oncology. He volunteers in the pharmacy at a local hospital, as well as offering tax consultation to those in need through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistant program. Zamani has also served as President of Phi Beta Lambda and served on the Honors Institute Internal Review committee.
“These students are just a few examples of the many outstanding students who make up the Florida College System, and I am pleased to commend them on their dedication to their schoolwork and their communities,” said Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart. “Being selected as a member of the All-USA Community College Academic Team is truly a testament to their hard work, and I am confident they will continue achieving success in college and their future careers.”
To view full listing of student team members, visit 2016 All-USA Community College Academic Team.
For more information about the All-USA Community College Academic Team, visit the All-USA Community College Academic Team website at https://www.ptk.org/Default.aspx?TabID=3749.
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