FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2025
Contact: Avi Zaffini
COLUMBUS – Ohio’s community colleges are capping off their celebration of Community College Month by recognizing a new class of academic all-stars.
Fifty-two students have been picked for the 2025 All-Ohio Academic Team, an honor that recognizes them for their excellence in academics, leadership, and community service. College faculty, staff, and other campus leaders nominated these top-performing students for this honor.
“Ohio’s economy and the careers it supports are transforming at a thrilling pace, and our community colleges play an essential role in preparing the workforce that this exciting technology-focused age requires,” said Avi Zaffini, President and CEO of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC). “Members of the 2025 All-Ohio Academic Team, coming from all parts of the state, are leading this transformation. Their success as students and the promise they show for their chosen careers is testimony to the contributions that Ohio’s community colleges are making as they help develop the well-educated, motivated workforce that will drive our state’s economy for many years ahead.”
The All-Ohio Academic Team program is a collaboration of the OACC, the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor society and Honda, the event sponsor.
“I am honored to congratulate these All-Ohio Academic Team members,” said Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Mike Duffey. “Through their academic achievement and breadth of leadership, each will contribute to the strength and vitality of our state.”
First-team honorees will receive $1,000 scholarships, second-team members will receive $500 scholarships, and third-team members will receive $250 scholarships. The scholarships are meant to help the honorees transfer to universities to complete their bachelor’s degree requirements.
The team also includes students planning to move directly into the workforce. They too will receive recognition and awards.
In addition to the state awards, four students were selected for national community college honors.
Members of the 2025 All-Ohio Academic Team are:
First Team:
Annalise Smith, Clark State College – Springfield, Ohio
Michael Sousa, Clark State College – Troy, Ohio
Emma Jirathearanat, Columbus State Community College – Dublin, Ohio
Fatema Abdulaziz, Cuyahoga Community College – Westlake, Ohio
Valentina Teles, Cuyahoga Community College – Parma Heights, Ohio
Julia Monaco, Lakeland Community College – South Euclid, Ohio
Sharon Russell, Marion Technical College – Delaware, Ohio
Alaina Imboden, Sinclair Community College – Tipp City
Alanna Mays, Southern State Community College – Winchester, Ohio
Jada Breidenbach, Terra State Community College – Tiffin, Ohio
Second Team:
Machoucourath Issoufou, Cincinnati State Technical & Community College – Mason, Ohio
Haley Middendorf, Columbus State Community College – Columbus, Ohio
Rachel Ketler, Cuyahoga Community College – Orrville, Ohio
Jeremy Mrva, Lakeland Community College – Kirtland, Ohio
Olivia Bogna, Lorain County Community College – Avon, Ohio
Quinn Allmon, Rhodes State College – Bellefontaine, Ohio
Megan Clark, Rhodes State College – Marion, Ohio
Dana Aramouni, Stark State College – Canton, Ohio
Michelle Durst, Terra State Community College – Fostoria, Ohio
Third Team:
Robert Castline, Central Ohio Technical College – Mount Vernon, Ohio
Jady French, Central Ohio Technical College – Blacklick, Ohio
Ana Salinas-Espino, Central Ohio Technical College – Carroll, Ohio
Chioma Ezeilo, Cincinnati State Technical & Community College – Mason, Ohio
Cadi Nemecek, Cincinnati State Technical & Community College – Loveland, Ohio
Michael Warwavesyn, Cincinnati State Technical & Community College – Cincinnati, Ohio
Clare Grooms, Clark State College – Springfield, Ohio
Maura Gipe, Columbus State Community College – Columbus, Ohio
Juangabriel Heredia-Ramirez, Columbus State Community College – Groveport, Ohio
Deana Zayed, Cuyahoga Community College – Beachwood, Ohio
Santina Lauter, Cuyahoga Community College – Cleveland, Ohio
Edward Lukenge, Cuyahoga Community College – Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Jesse Osadciw, Cuyahoga Community College – Parma Heights, Ohio
Diana Rampersaud, Cuyahoga Community College – Elyria, Ohio
Michelle Benedict, Edison State Community College – Arcanum, Ohio
Abby Lamm, Edison State Community College – Minster, Ohio
Jordan Ritchie, Edison State Community College – West Alexandria, Ohio
Emma Pahl, Marion Technical College – Bucyrus, Ohio
Andrew Schlecht, Marion Technical College – Waldo, Ohio
James Henige, Owens Community College – Freeland, Michigan
Riley Ellenberger, Rhodes State College – Fort Recovery, Ohio
Cooper Jeffers-Flinner, Rio Grande Community College – Gallipolis, Ohio
David Tapley, Rhodes State College – Harrod, Ohio
Morgan Sanders, Sinclair Community College – Fairfield, Ohio
Chandra Dean, Southern State Community College – Greenfield, Ohio
Adam Heizer, Southern State Community College – Hillsboro, Ohio
Madison Newman, Southern State Community College – Washington Court House, Ohio
Prince Ampomah, Stark State College – Akron, Ohio
Angella Hamrick, Stark State College – Massillon, Ohio
Joe Waldron, Stark State College – Dalton, Ohio
Emilee Hoffman, Terra State Community College – Clyde, Ohio
Kyndal Buchanan, Washington State College of Ohio – Lower Salem, Ohio
Olivia Olsen, Washington State College of Ohio – Marietta, Ohio
National Award Winners:
Jada Breidenbach and Annalise Smith were selected to receive silver awards from the Coca-Cola Academic Team.
Alanna Mays was chosen as the Coca-Cola New Century Transfer Scholar for Ohio.
Sharon Russell was picked as the Coca-Cola New Century Workforce Scholar for Ohio.