For Immediate Release
April 23, 2026
COLUMBUS – A new class of Ohio community college academic all-stars is being celebrated as part of Community College Month.
The 52 students chosen for the 2026 All-Ohio Academic Team have been recognized for their excellence in academics, leadership, and community service. College faculty, staff, and other campus leaders nominated these top-performing students, who come from all parts of the state.
Ohio is in the midst of what could be the biggest transformation of the state’s economy in history, including the careers it supports, and community colleges play an essential role in preparing the workforce for this exciting technology-focused age, said Avi Zaffini, President and CEO of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC).
“Members of the 2026 All-Ohio Academic Team are the best and brightest this state has to offer, and they are driving this transformation,” Zaffini said. “Their success in the classroom and their potential for their chosen careers shows the value of Ohio’s community colleges in developing a well-educated, motivated workforce that will drive our state’s economy for decades to come.”
The All-Ohio Academic Team program is a collaboration among OACC, the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, and event sponsors Honda, KeyBank, and Franklin University.
This year’s honorees represent a bright future for Ohio and its workforce, said Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Mike Duffey.
“I congratulate these All-Ohio Academic Team members for their achievements and know they will carry this same level of excellence into their careers, further contributing to the strength and vitality of our state,” Chancellor Duffey said. “And I commend our community colleges for providing the education that will help them succeed.”
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 degrees.
The teams also include students planning to move directly into the workforce. Those students will also receive recognition and awards.
In addition to the state awards, three students were selected for national community college honors.
National Selectees
- Nichole Hoffard, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, New Century Transfer Scholar and All-USA Team
- Danielle Starry, Stark State College, New Century Workforce Scholar
- Logan Savage, Southern State Community College, Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholar
Franklin University also announced that Morgan Muhly of St. Clairsville, a student at Belmont College, will receive a full-tuition scholarship for an online bachelor’s degree program following a competitive application process.
Members of the 2026 All-Ohio Academic Team are:
First Team:
- Ethan Alexander, Cincinnati State Technical & Community College — Cincinnati
- Nichole Hoffard, Cincinnati State Technical & Community College — Bethel
- Hans Cadejuste, Columbus State Community College — Columbus
- Marcella Moore, Cuyahoga Community College — Bedford Heights
- Jesse Halfhill, North Central State College — Mansfield
- Madison Bolin, Rhodes State College — Piqua
- Logan Savage, Southern State Community College — Greenfield
- Danielle Starry, Stark State College — North Canton
- Joselyn Erb, Washington State College of Ohio — Vincent
- Tracey Sawtelle, Washington State College of Ohio — Dexter
Second Team:
- Morgan Muhly, Belmont College — St. Clairsville
- Aidan Hodgson, Central Ohio Technical College — Granville
- Rachelle Pierre, Clark State College — Springfield
- Verona Mahilet, Cuyahoga Community College — Cleveland
- Rachel Ryan, Lakeland Community College — Jefferson
- Jennifer Day, Lorain County Community College — Lorain
- Anh Le, Sinclair Community College — Beavercreek
- Wyatt Osborn, Southern State Community College — Lynchburg
- Destyni McGowan, Terra State Community College — Botkins
- Rose Mary, Washington State College of Ohio — Parkersburg, West Virginia
Third Team:
- Taylor Harwatt, Belmont College — Wheeling, West Virginia
- Michele Dobos, Central Ohio Technical College — Newark
- Landen Kouns, Central Ohio Technical College — West Union
- Iryna Hrushovenko, Cincinnati State Technical & Community College — Mason
- Ayoko Sallah, Cincinnati State Technical & Community College — Fairfield
- Jennifer Belvo, Clark State College — Fairborn
- Allison Shaw, Clark State College — Springfield
- Courtney Dexter, Columbus State Community College — Columbus
- Harry Anderson, Cuyahoga Community College — South Euclid
- Aniya Alex, Cuyahoga Community College — Euclid
- Victoria Kovalsky, Cuyahoga Community College — Brunswick
- Taylor Confer, Cuyahoga Community College — Parma
- Alexis Hurchanik, Cuyahoga Community College — Independence
- Tuan Khoi Phan, Cuyahoga Community College — Brooklyn
- Mona Shaban, Cuyahoga Community College — Westlake
- Chris Wise, Cuyahoga Community College — Lakewood
- Michael Lanzara, Lakeland Community College — Mayfield Heights
- Kathryn Longmeier, Marion Technical College — Waldo
- Ava Pernia, Marion Technical College — Marion
- Brady Clark, Northwest State Community College — Defiance
- Seth Hathaway, Northwest State Community College — Deshler
- Aubrie Baird, Rhodes State College — Hicksville
- Eva Goubeaux, Rhodes State College — Houston
- Kaitlin Slade, Rhodes State College — Payne
- Alejandro Ramirez, Sinclair Community College — Huber Heights
- Sonia Farzaneh Gord, Sinclair Community College — Dayton
- Cheyenne Patrick, Sinclair Community College — Loveland
- Bentley Schweickart, Southern State Community College — Winchester
- Madison King, Stark State College — Mogadore
- Sarah Wilson, Stark State College — Akron
- Micah Kirchner, Terra State Community College — Columbus
- Sara Strahler, Washington State College of Ohio — McConnelsville