PEARL – Fifteen вÊÍø students were named to the 2019 All-Mississippi Community College Academic Team, tops among the state’s 15 two-year colleges.
Front row, from left, Christopher Golden, of Jackson, Lashonda Harvey, of Canton, Autumn Simmons, of Hermanville, Hezekiah Williams, of Edwards, Emily Hudgens, of Madison, Jeffrey Rodriguez-Cano, of Crystal Springs, Garrett Hutchins, of Utica, Everett Craft, of Jackson; back row, from left, Kendreauna Thompson, of Richland, Bobby Davis, of Vicksburg, Jeffrey Cooper, of Brandon, Jake Watts, of Brandon, and Anna Pate, of Brandon; not pictured are Xavier Heard, of Jackson, and Devon Harris, of Madison (вÊÍø/April Garon)
Honored among 15 students overall and named Academic First Team at a ceremony April 10 at the Muse Center on the Rankin Campus were Emily Hudgens, of Madison, a student at the Raymond Campus, and Christopher Golden, of Jackson, a student at the Jackson Campus-Academic/Technical Center.
Hudgens is studying secondary biology education and president of the Gamma Lambda chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honor society. She is an officer in the Mississippi/Louisiana regional PTK organization and is also a 3E Outstanding Student.
Golden is studying culinary arts and works in information technology. In 2017, he was a Dean’s Scholar and President’s Scholar. Each first-teamer was nominated for scholarships under their respective career pathways, Hudgens as a Transfer student and Golden as a Workforce student.
Each of the college’s six locations are represented in the all-academic awards. One student from each of the state’s 15 community colleges is recognized first-team.
Named to the Academic Second Team were:
- Jeffrey Cooper, of Brandon, a student at the Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center, respiratory care technology
- Everett Craft, of Jackson, a student at the Raymond Campus, electrical and mechanical technology
- Bobby Davis, of Vicksburg, a student at the Vicksburg-Warren Campus, mechanical engineering
- Lashonda Harvey, of Canton, a student at the Jackson Campus-Academic/Technical Center, accounting
- Devon Harris, of Madison, a student at the Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center, respiratory care technology
- Xavier Heard, of Jackson, a student at the Jackson Campus-Nursing/Allied Health Center, practical nursing
- Garrett Hutchins, of Utica, a student at the Raymond Campus, HVAC
- Anna Pate, of Brandon, a student at the Rankin Campus, nursing
- Jeffrey Rodriguez-Cano, of Crystal Springs, a student at the Raymond Campus, journalism
- Autumn Simmons, of Hermanville, a student at the Utica Campus, biology education
- Kendreauna Thompson, of Richland, a student at the Jackson Campus-Academic/Technical Center, business administration
- Jake Watts, of Brandon, a student at the Rankin Campus, physical therapist assistant
- Hezekiah Williams, of Edwards, a student at the Utica Campus, chemical engineering
The All-Mississippi Academic Team, begun in 1994 as the first state-level academic recognition program for community and junior college students, recognizes the scholarly achievements and leadership accomplishments of students enrolled in community and junior colleges across the state. Team members were selected following several rounds of judging from education officials, business leaders from across the United States and a distinguished panel of representatives from federal agencies and national education associations based in Washington D.C.
Students named to the First Team received $1,000 scholarships. First and Second Team members receive special medallions, certificates and printed resolutions from each chamber of the Mississippi Legislature. They are also eligible for scholarships at many four-year universities designed exclusively for All-Mississippi Academic Team members.
The All-State team is coordinated by the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior College, the Mississippi Community College Board and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
The All-State Academic Team recognition program is an outgrowth of the All-USA Community College Academic Team, administered by Phi Theta Kappa.