AWC selects three students for All-Arizona Academic Team
February 26, 2021Recipients to earn scholarships for continued higher education
Yuma, AZ (February 26, 2021) – Three high-achieving students from Arizona Western College will be honored during a virtual All-Arizona Academic Team Recognition Ceremony on Thursday, March 4. The community is invited to visit mesacc.edu/live to view the livestreamed celebration, which will take place from 12 to 1:30 p.m.
The annual awards ceremony is held by the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society to recognize students chosen by their colleges for high academic distinction and service to the community. To qualify, students must be working toward an associate degree and maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
The rigorous selection process for the awards begins at the local level with community colleges nominating their top students. The following rounds of judging take place in Washington D.C. and are led by various federal agencies and national education associations. Student will be placed onto either the First, Second, or Third Team, and awarded a scholarship in the amount of $1,000; $750; or $500, respectively. Awards can be applied towards a baccalaureate degree at a state university.
Jackelline Rodriguez, a student from the AWC San Luis and Somerton campuses, was selected for the All-Arizona Academic Team, along with AWC Yuma Campus students Wendy Hidalgo and Maria Perez. All three are first-generation students.
Rodriguez plans to transfer to the University of Arizona and hopes to work in the field of applied computing and software development with an end goal of building her own software. She also aspires to create new scholarship opportunities for high school, college, and university students.
During her time at AWC, she has been on the Dean’s List for four consecutive semesters, AWC Student Government Association President, a part of the CommYOUnity Service Club, and a peer mentor for the Informatics program.
Hidalgo has her sights set on transferring to Northern Arizona University to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Her goal is to work as a registered nurse at Yuma Regional Medical Center to give back to her community and those in need.
She is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, has volunteered at the Yuma Community Food Bank, and has participated in a neighborhood cleanup program. She was also on the Dean’s List at AWC for her academic achievements.
Perez plans to transfer to the University of Arizona to earn a degree in veterinary science as well as a degree in animal and biomedical science. She hopes to open animal sanctuaries all over the world and work with every species.
“I am passionate about my career and want to make my parents proud as a way of thanking them for all the sacrifices they made,” she said.
While at AWC, Perez has been a part of the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) and was an AWC Honors Officer and Supplemental Instructor. She was also a part of the Dean’s List and Phi Theta Kappa as well as the National Society of Leadership and Success.
Contact:
Liz Renaud
Honors Program Interim Director/
Professor of Early Childhood Education
Arizona Western College
Lizzie.Renaud@azwestern.edu
(928) 344-7685