Two CCBC Students Named to All-Pennsylvania Academic Team and Honored in Harrisburg

Monaca, PA – Each year, Pennsylvania’s 14 community colleges together with Phi Theta Kappa, the international two-year college honor society, name community college students from across the Commonwealth to the All-PA Academic Team for their academic achievements in the classroom and volunteerism in their communities. This year, CCBC named Kelsey Hudacsek and Leslie Powell as the 2017 All-PA Academic Team for the College.

“The award recognizes exceptional CCBC students who have achieved excellence and demonstrate a commitment to their colleges and communities,” said CCBC President Dr. Chris Reber.

In order to be named to the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team, students must maintain a 3.5 GPA or higher. Pennsylvania’s community colleges collaborate with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) universities to provide full-tuition scholarships to All-PA Team students at PASSHE institutions of their choice.

Kelsey Hudacsek, a resident of Aliquippa, is majoring in Specialized Studies and plans to transfer to Edinboro University of Pennsylvania to obtain a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts degree in Computer Animation as she pursues a career in the video game industry. Kelsey is a current member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.  She was also the recipient of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) Non-Traditional Scholarship and was named to the President’s List consistently throughout her CCBC career. As a devoted mother, Kelsey has focused her community service on assisting children by volunteering to lead youth activities in the community.

Leslie Powell from Freedom is studying Cybersecurity and upon graduation plans to transfer to California University of Pennsylvania to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems. Her long-term goals are to pursue a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity and build a successful career in the criminal justice field. Leslie is a current member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and has been named to the President’s List each semester. Returning to college after 10 years, she now shares her life experiences and knowledge in order to assist younger students. A dedicated foster parent, Leslie has participated in numerous foster care events in the area and her experiences led her to become a devoted and loving mother to her son, Elijah.

Kelsey and Leslie, along with their fellow academic team members across Pennsylvania were honored at a banquet in Harrisburg on Monday, April 4, and then spent time at the Capitol meeting with their local legislators and advocating increased funding for the Commonwealth’s community colleges in the 2017 state budget during Lobby Day.