Submitted by Clover Park Technical College
Ten students representing Bates Technical College, Clover Park Technical College, Pierce College, and Tacoma Community College were selected to the 2015 All-Washington Academic Team.
The team will be honored March 26 at a recognition ceremony held at South Puget Sound Community College.
Pierce County nominees include:
Andrey Anikusko, Bates Technical College
Anikusko returned to college after three years as an EMT. He knew Bates’ Biomedical Service Program would be the perfect fit because of his affinity for electronics and the ability to work with people. He is now interviewing for positions in the industry.
Diana Hoffmann, Bates Technical College
As an Army spouse, Hoffmann knows the difficulties of a transitory life. Moving to five states in six years meant she couldn’t secure a position using her elementary education degree. She discovered Bates’ Diesel Program and in her final quarter landed a job as a fleet mechanic with FedEx Freight.
Walker Mattson, Clover Park Technical College
Walker Mattson maintained a 3.9 GPA in CPTC’s Computer Information Technology Program while also working two jobs. He has spent the last two years pursuing his interest in mobile application development and plans to work in the IT industry.
Callie Dukett, Clover Park Technical College
Dukett’s passion for success and advancement in the IT industry was fueled in CPTC’s Computer Network & Information Systems Security Program. Dukett promotes women in information technology and strives to gain more experience working with computers.
Robert Lasker, Pierce College Fort Steilacoom
Lasker decided to go back to school to learn new skills. Although he felt that he had never been a good student, he thrived at Pierce College. This year, he serves as a legislative senator and president of the Washington Community and Technical College Student Association.
Meredith Wingate, Pierce College Fort Steilacoom
To achieve her goals Wingate knew she must earn a college degree. She enrolled in the Running Start program and will soon receive her high school diploma and Associate of Arts. She plans to pursue a degree in intercultural studies.
Sarah Parkhurst, Pierce College Puyallup
As a first-generation college student, Parkhurst says the relationships she has developed with Pierce College professors have provided the guidance she needs to learn what it takes to transfer to a four-year university.
Mikhail Kurkov, Pierce College Puyallup
After high school Kurkov went to work for a manufacturing company and quickly showed a flair for design and engineering. He enrolled at Pierce College to pursue his dream of becoming a civil engineer.
Kaitlin Dewhirst, Tacoma Community College
Dewhirst started as a Running Start student at TCC. In 2014 she graduated with her AAS degree, high honors and a Presidents’ Award nomination. Now she’s completing transfer prerequisites for Western Washington University.
Nicole Kauer, Tacoma Community College
While maintaining top grades, Kauer has served as Engineering Club treasurer, a student senator and regional president for Phi Theta Kappa Greater Northwest Region. She plans to obtain a degree in mechanical engineering.
The All-Washington Academic Team program recognizes and honors our state’s finest higher education students.
Phi Theta Kappa, the International Honor Society for two-year colleges, initiated an All-USA Academic Team to recognize two-year college students for scholastic achievement and community and college service. In 1994, state-level academic teams were introduced. Students nominated to the All-USA Academic Team are automatically named to their state team. The All-Washington team was launched in 1996.
For more information on the All-Washington program visit www.spscc.ctc.edu/allwa.