FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2023
Contact: Jack Hershey or Tom Walsh
COLUMBUS – Today nearly 80 students from Ohio’s 23 community colleges were honored for their excellence in academics, leadership, and community service by Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted and Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner as part of the 2023 All-Ohio Academic Team. The event was held as part of celebrations of Community College Month in Ohio.
“Our community colleges play an essential role in moving Ohio to the front and center of today’s economy,” said Jack Hershey, president and CEO of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC). “We celebrate their work by recognizing the 2023 All-Ohio Academic Team. These men and women, representing all parts of the state, are shining examples of the way Ohio’s 23 community colleges are preparing the well-educated, motived workforce our employers seek and the new global economy demands.”
The All-Ohio Academic Team program is a collaboration between the OACC, Phi Theta Kappa national honor society and Honda, the event sponsor.
“I am pleased to congratulate each of these honorees,” Chancellor Gardner said. “The members of this year’s All-Ohio Academic Team are poised to become the leaders of tomorrow, contributing to the strength and vitality of their communities and our great state.”
The top-performing students were nominated by college faculty, staff and leaders. Students recognized as first-team honorees will receive $500 scholarships, while second-team members earn $250 scholarships to assist students transferring on to universities to complete their bachelor’s degree requirements. The All-Ohio Academic Team also includes high-achieving students who are planning to move directly into the workforce will also be recognized and receive awards.
Below are this year’s winners.
First Team
Kwabena Agyemang, Lorain County Community College (Coca-Cola Academic Team Bronze Scholar)
Caleb Aukerman, Rhodes State College, Coca-Cola New Century Workforce Scholar
Kimberly Boyer, Eastern Gateway Community College (Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar)
Robert Bradshaw, Southern State Community College (Coca-Cola Academic Team Silver Scholar)
Noor Deif, Lorain County Community College (Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar)
Ella George, Stark State College
Abigale Jordan, Marion Technical College
Emma Poulton, Washington State Community College (Coca-Cola New Century Transfer Scholar)
Aminata Sherif, Columbus State Community College
David Sullivan, Rhodes State College
Second Team
Elisa Amissah, Cincinnati State Technical & Community
Alyssa Derry, Zane State College
Ethan Gault, Washington State Community College
Yamikani Lapozo, Hocking College
Benjamin Nash, Stark State College
Bridget Saultz, Clark State College
Ashley Smith, Eastern Gateway Community College
Andrew Sobhy, Cuyahoga Community College
Susanna Stoepfel, Cuyahoga Community College
Micaela Zagal, Sinclair Community College
Third Team
Kali Allomong, Cuyahoga Community College
Rawan Awad, Cuyahoga Community College
Elizabeth Ballard, Terra State Community College
Breah Barnhart, Hocking College
Cassandra Billings, Rhodes State College
Michael Blevins, Owens Community College
Sydney Blouir, University of Rio Grande
Abigail Brown, Owens Community College
Sarah Buckman, Eastern Gateway Community College
Saige Carter, Lakeland Community College
Wen Chen, Terra State Community College
Amanda Clark, Terra State Community College
Kayla Coleman, Cincinnati State Technical & Community
Diadji Diawara, Columbus State Community College
David Elmore, Eastern Gateway Community College
Tina Foley, North Central State College
Steve Gault, Rhodes State College
Abigail Getz, Clark State College
Ciara Giamarco, Marion Technical College
Brandy Green, Clark State College
Holly Grimes, Zane State College
Corey Hare, Sinclair Community College
Rachel Harstad, Clark State College
Ramiro Hernandez, Cuyahoga Community College
Kendall Holmes, Clark State College
Carly Isaacs, Washington State Community College
Naeema Ismail, Central Ohio Technical College
Hokeun Jee, Lakeland Community College
Jennifer Jones, Cuyahoga Community College
Laquetta Lucas, Cuyahoga Community College
Peyton Magee, Southern State Community College
Rachel Maldonado Santiago, Cuyahoga Community College
Monica Mitchell, Clark State College
Amira Mohamed, Sinclair Community College
Tammy Monroe, Stark State College
Olivia Myart, Eastern Gateway Community College
Randi Peters, Stark State College
Nathaniel Routson, Terra State Community College
Kassidy Shaffer, University of Rio Grande,
Korben Sperling, Columbus State Community College
Makenna Steward, Zane State College
James Stuart, Eastern Gateway Community College
Mikaila Sweeney, Owens Community College
Eman Tarairah, Cuyahoga Community College
Kelly Tryda, Cuyahoga Community College
Chance Zoe Tuyishime, Sinclair Community College
Taylor Vild, Cuyahoga Community College
Kristina Wasiniak, Hocking College ,
George Wentworth, Cincinnati State Technical & Community College
Nicole Youngkin, Cuyahoga Community College
Mellisa Zaccaria, Columbus State Community College
Madison Zajaczkowski, Lakeland Community College
Rebecca Zamarripa, Cuyahoga Community College
Izabela Zoga, Cuyahoga Community College