MARIETTA, OHIO—Three members of Alpha Rho Gamma, the Phi Theta Kappa chapter at Washington State College of Ohio (WSCO), were recently selected to the Ohio Association of Community College All-Ohio Academic Team. Letitia Glass and Britiny Toups were selected to the third team while Ronald Salazar was selected to the first team and received the 2020 New Century Workforce Pathway Scholarship.
Nearly 70 students from Ohio’s community college system were named to the All-Ohio Community College Academic Team for their excellence in academics, leadership, and community service. These top-performing students were nominated by faculty, staff, and their peers. Salazar and other students recognized as first-team honorees received $1,000 scholarships, while second-team members earn a $500 scholarship, and third-team members, including Glass and Toups, receive a $250 scholarship.
The All-Ohio Academic Team Awards works to promote academic excellence and intellectual rigor, leadership, and service, and the extension of education beyond the classroom to benefit society. To be eligible for the All-Ohio Academic Team, students must be nominated by their college president; be eligible to graduate during the current academic year; and have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.25. While students would traditionally be recognized during a luncheon at the statehouse, this year’s event was canceled due to ongoing COVID-19 guidelines against large gatherings.
The New Century Workforce Pathway Scholarship, received by Salazar, is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Foundation with additional support provided by Phi Theta Kappa. More than 2,000 applications were received and evaluated on academic achievement, leadership, service, and significant endeavors. Salazar received the highest score in Ohio.
Salazar, who serves as the President of the chapter as well as serves as a regional officer, said, “I believe the dedication I put into my job, school work, Phi Theta Kappa, and always being willing to help is what made me stand out the most.” He included his involvement in several chapter activities in his scholarship application, including Empty Bowls and supporting the local non-profit women’s shelter, EVE, Inc., and credited the group effort in each success. “It was awesome watching my chapter come together as a team.”
As a New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar, Salazar will be recognized at the Membership Celebration Luncheon during the Association of Community College Trustees’ (ACCT) 2020 Leadership Congress, scheduled for this Fall in Chicago, Illinois.
While May is usually when the chapter holds its induction ceremony, the official ceremony has been pushed to Fall. Membership invitations have, however, been extended to students. The Regional PTK Conference, which was slated to be hosted on the WSCO campus in July, has also been postponed.
