Local Students Earn Prestigious Scholarships

Only 80 out of 2.4 million students are selected for prestigious award 

Rocklin, Calif.- Two Sierra College Students, each Phi Theta Kappa honor society members, have earned All-California Scholarships and placement in the  All-California Community College Academic Team Program.

The selection for the All-California teams was determined by the scores nominees received from Phi Theta Kappa judges at the national level selecting winners for the national academic teams. These 80 students represent some of the best of the 2.4 million students enrolled in California’s 112 community colleges. 

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

⤥ Summer Fun Starts Here ⤦

Quyen Le, a 23 year old student majoring in Recreation Management, affectionately called Sunny Q, hopes to graduate this May with an A.S. degree before transferring to CSU Sacramento in fall 2013 to study Therapeutic Recreation. Her dream job is to be a Recreation Therapist, designing programs and events for people with mental disabilities to be able to achieve their desired happiness. She is also passionate about ballroom dancing and is actually hoping to make teaching it her left-hand job. After school, she volunteers at Asian Community Center Nursing Home in the Sacramento Pocket area. In her free time, she often works on musical projects,

doing mash-ups, recording, and making videos. She loves the feeling of being on the move and being productive, she always tries to keep life balanced and stay positive. Quyen has earned a position on the All-California Academic 2nd Team. 

Deborah Dahl is a 55 year old returning student, majoring in Business Administration. She is a very committed student, and has overcome personal hardships and learning challenges while following the dream of a college education. She works as an administrative secretary for a nonprofit agency that provides intervention services for at-risk youth, and services for parents and individuals. By obtaining a degree, Deborah hopes to increase her skills and positively impact families by providing quality services for those in need. Deborah serves on a local Head Start Policy Council as a volunteer community representative, and has historically served the community by volunteering in the areas of special education and services for disabled people. She is a new member of the Beta Mu Zeta chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and looks forward to participating in outreach activities. 

When asked her thought about her education at Sierra College, Deborah stated,” I have struggled with academics all my life.  I was never a good student achieving mediocre grades at best. When I returned to Sierra College in 2010, I met with the Disabled Student Services (DSS) Office and explained the difficulties that I was having.  Testing done by the DSS Office opened support systems that I never dreamed existed. Without the DSS staff, at Sierra College I would never have been able to accomplish the level of success that I have achieved.  Additionally, the professors, and support staff at Sierra College are truly invested in the success of their students.”  Deborah has earned a position on the All-California Academic 3rd Team. 

About Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

The mission of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students and to provide opportunities for individual growth and development through participation in honors, leadership, service and fellowship programming. 

All-California Community College academic Team Program

Building on the success of the National All-USA Team Program, Phi Theta Kappa launched the All-State Academic Team Program. The purpose of this program is to provide recognition at the state level for these top community college students. This year, 26 California community college students were selected for the All-California Academic First Team, 27 students for the Second Team and 27 students for the Third Team. The Community College League of California is proud to sponsor this award ceremony at which all team members receive medallions of honor and a certificate recognizing their accomplishments. Grades, leadership and community service determine selection to the All-California first, second and third teams.

California’s community colleges underwrite their students’ success daily. The most diverse student body in higher education succeeds every day by completing associate degrees and certificate programs; getting jobs; transferring to baccalaureate programs; or furthering a lifelong habit of learning. Even though community college funding is limited – and funding per student is less than any other higher education institution in the state – dedicated and professional community college faculty and staff keep service to students their number one priority

Congratulations to the hard working students and advisors of the Sierra College Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society!