JSCC Students Receive All-Tennessee Academic Honor
JSCC Students Receive All-Tennessee Academic Honor
Jackson, Tenn (Mar. 31, 2017) – At a special ceremony in Nashville February 21, two of Jackson State Community College’s students were honored for academic excellence. Alexis Biebers and Matthew Blackwell were honored along with other students from Tennessee’s 13 community colleges. In all, there were 26 outstanding students that were named to the 2016 All-Tennessee Academic Team at a special luncheon at the War Memorial Auditorium in downtown Nashville.
Alexis has been actively involved in Phi Theta Kappa at Jackson State where she currently serves as secretary for the organization. She is scheduled to graduate in May with a major in general studies.
After graduation, Alexis plans to attend the University of Mississippi at Oxford with plans to major in pre-medicine. She eventually plans to go on to medical school to become a pediatric oncologist. “I have always wanted to work with children with cancer since I was in sixth grade,” said Biebers. “This is my true passion.”
Matthew will graduate JSCC this spring with a major in general studies. Matthew’s plan is to continue his education at Middle Tennessee State University and pursue a major in athletic training. He plans to continue with graduate studies and earn a doctorate in rehabilitation sciences from the University of Kentucky.
Blackwell has an ultimate career goal of being a head athletic trainer or director of sports medicine for an NFL or NBA team. He eventually wants to return to Jackson and give back to the community that he says has given him so many opportunities.
Dr. Anna Esquivel, advisor and sponsor for Phi Theta Kappa at JSCC, comments, “Both Alexis and Matthew have demonstrated excellent leadership skills in Phi Theta Kappa. That they have been able to actively engage in their campus community while maintaining excellence in their studies is a testament to their academic achievement.”
Dr. Allana Hamilton, JSCC president, stated, “[Alexis and Matthew] deserve this honor, and we are very proud of their accomplishments. Their involvement in PTK has provided them with leadership opportunities that will better prepare them for the next steps in their academic and professional careers.”
Hamilton is very proud of the PTK chapter at JSCC. “I am pleased to announce that Jackson State is a five-star chapter; the highest level of achievement,” said Hamilton. “I am very honored to work with the Jackson State chapter advisors and students in promoting academic excellence at Jackson State.”
The All-Tennessee Academic Team is comprised of students nominated by their colleges to be considered for the All-USA Academic Team, sponsored by USA Today and Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. Each of the state’s 13 community colleges selects two outstanding students to recognize for their academic achievement, leadership and service to the community.
Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in American higher education, with more than 2 million members and 1,200 chapters in the U.S. and beyond. Students must have a minimum 3.5 grade-point average to qualify for membership.
