MCC Earns Phi Theta Kappa New England Region Recognition
MANCHESTER, Conn. (May 15, 2020) – When members of Manchester Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa Alpha Upsilon Alpha chapter first considered their “Honors in Action” project for the 2019-2020 academic year, they weren’t sure they had a winner – then they realized the diverse student group had more in common than they thought, especially now.
With the theme, “Powers of Connection,” the project team earned second place among the Phi Theta Kappa New England Region Awards. The awards were presented recently at a virtual ceremony because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our first project meeting early in the year made us realize how we are all connected in more ways than we think,” said Chapter Officer Nani Aguilar, of West Hartford, who helped organize the group involved in the project. “That made us consider how important connections among students are for success, and how creating new connections would benefit students with support, accountability and opportunities to give back to our community, increasing the likelihood of graduating.”
The team devised a survey about barriers to graduation, which they conducted among more than 280 students across the MCC campus between November and December 2019. The team was in the process of analyzing results when the COVID-19 crisis pre-empted work; however, the survey objectives aimed at building connections for academic success are even more relevant now. Members look forward to continuing their project during the upcoming academic year, according to Aguilar.
Students involved in the project also included Amber Alicea, South Windsor; Dorothy Ashman, Stratford; Dephtany Ayala, Manchester; Gaby Bromley, South Windsor; Fabiana Vieira, Bristol; Riyaz Karin, South Windsor; Geeta Khade, Vernon; Christina Lawrence, Tolland; Christine Morin, Columbia; Darlene Pierpont, Andover; Kenneth Sanders II, East Hartford; and Avery Smith, Manchester.
MCC’s chapter and its members garnered other honors at the virtual awards ceremony, as well. The Distinguished Chapter Officer Second Place Award went to Aguilar, and Professor of English Patrick Sullivan was recognized with the Continued Excellence Advisor Award.
About Phi Theta Kappa Alpha Upsilon Alpha Chapter
Founded in November 1918, Phi Theta Kappa is an internationally acclaimed honor society recognizing the academic achievement of associate degree students. The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa is to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students. MCC’s
Alpha Upsilon Alpha chapter was founded in May 1991 and has a proud history on campus. The Alpha Upsilon Alpha chapter continues to promote scholarship, develop leadership and service, and cultivate fellowship among qualified students at Manchester Community College.
