This article appears for archival purposes. Any events, programs and/or initiatives mentioned may no longer be applicable.
The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is proud to announce that twenty-three high-achieving students representing the System’s ten colleges were honored during the 2023 All-Arizona Academic Team Recognition Ceremony on Wednesday, February 22, 2023.
“On behalf of MCCCD, we are tremendously proud of these exceptional students who share an inspiring future representing a vast array of career paths,” said MCCCD Chancellor, Dr. Steven R. Gonzales. “From business, journalism, and nursing to strategic leadership, engineering, and technology, it is clear that our ten community colleges cultivate innovative thinkers and compassionate citizens ready to serve their communities.”
Selection of the 2023 All-Arizona Academic Team is based on intellectual rigor by maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher, being in good academic standing while working toward an associate’s degree, and being involved in volunteerism and service on their college campus or in their community that extends their education beyond the classroom to benefit society.
Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society of two-year colleges and academic programs; the American Association of Community Colleges; Arizona Community Colleges; the Arizona Board of Regents, and the Follett Higher Education Group help these exceptional students reach their educational goals by awarding scholarships and issuing tuition waivers for eligible students to Arizona’s three state universities: Arizona State University, University of Arizona, and Northern Arizona University.
All-Arizona Academic Teams are judged in three rounds. First-round judges include local businesses, civic, education, and government leaders. The second and third round of judging occurs in Washington, D.C., by representatives from federal agencies and national education associations. Scores from the national competition determine each state team’s rankings. First team members each receive a $1,000 scholarship, second team members are each awarded a $750 scholarship, and third team members each get a $500 scholarship from their respective community college.
According to the Arizona Board of Regents, All-Arizona Academic Team members are eligible to be selected as one of 20 named to the All-USA Community College Academic Team, receiving an additional $5,000 scholarship, medallion, obelisk, and certificate during the American Association of Community Colleges annual convention scheduled April 1-4 in Denver, Colorado.
This year’s Maricopa Community Colleges honorees listed by college campus are:
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Frida Nandayapa Guzman, Lily Guzman, Riley Snow, and Sabrina Young
Estrella Mountain Community College
Ysenia Mora and Matthew Vail
GateWay Community College
Kayla Clancy and Athena Easton
Glendale Community College
Danilla Colin and Alexander Robles
Mesa Community College
Dalia Diaz, Charis Hayward, and Shannon Popell
Paradise Valley Community College
Violet Anderson, Heather Robinson Reaume, and Wesley Winter
Phoenix College
Zachariah Knapp and Christine Mada
Rio Salado College
Emma Harlow and Martha Salter
Scottsdale Community College
Diane Weightman
South Mountain Community College
Fatima Abas and Toby Tuckness