MCC Students Named to All-Massachusetts Academic Team

Middlesex Community College is proud to celebrate student success. Three Middlesex students have been recognized as outstanding two-year college students and members of Phi Theta Kappa’s (PTK) 2020 All-Massachusetts Academic Team.

Cara Hartsgrove of Tewksbury; Sokharath Koy of Lowell and originally from Cambodia; and Andrea Wallis, formally of Lowell and now in Pelham, N.H., were honored in a virtual “PTK Community College Excellence Week.” MCC Students were featured on the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges’ (MACC) social media pages on April 29.

Every year, MACC honors the All-Massachusetts Academic Team to showcase the best and brightest students in the 15-college system. Phi Theta Kappa – the international society for two-year colleges – the Coca-Cola Foundation, community college presidents, and community college state associations annually co-sponsor the All-State Academic Teams.

Cara Hartsgrove graduated with an associate degree in Criminal Justice in the Fall of 2019. She plans to attend UMass Lowell for her bachelor’s degree and her ultimate goal is to become a police officer. She believes MCC was a stepping stone for her future and credits her professors for their support.

“I liked Middlesex a lot,” she said. “The teachers were always helpful and there was always someone available to give guidance. Middlesex has a lot to offer, whether it be with using the library, having tutoring services or having advisors available.”

Hartsgrove enjoyed taking both in-person and online courses. In addition to her studies, she worked with the food pantry as part of a service-learning opportunity to run drives for winter clothing and personal items. She said that helping other people makes her happy.

“PTK is like a family, in which we all work together because of our accomplishments,” she said. “We are recognized because of how hard we push ourselves to excel.”

Sokharath Koy is a Psychology major who will graduate in May. He enjoys MCC’s flexible schedules so he can manage his classes while working full-time. Koy came to the U.S. in late 2016 and plans to study Sociology at UMass Lowell. MCC provides him with a solid educational background and intensive learning experience that he said benefits his personal life in addition to his academic journey.

“I love the campus with diverse students from different towns and countries,” he said. “I learn more about myself than I ever thought within such an environment. I get a lot of support from the tutoring center, especially for my writing because English is my second language.”

Koy enjoys working with the knowledgeable professors at MCC, as well as with Virak Uy, MCC’s Director of Asian American Student Advancement Program. Through PTK, Koy has been able to attend events where he shares ideas and experiences with other members.

“I would like to express my thankfulness to MCC and PTK for their strong support and for allowing me to be a representative in the All-Massachusetts Team,” he said. “I am very glad to know someone believes in my dream, inspiring me to work harder in order to change my life.”

Andrea Wallis is pursuing Medical Office Administration and hopes to graduate within the year. Many of her courses have been completed online as she balances her studies with her job. Wallis was inspired to work in hospice after going through the experience with her mother and their family.

“Middlesex is so accommodating and I would recommend it to anyone no matter your age or if you think you can’t possibly go back to school,” she said. “Do not doubt yourself. You can do it. No matter what, MCC will help you get through any obstacle, so never say never.”

Wallis originally started at a different school, but transferred to MCC for the Medical Office Administration program. She is thankful for the guidance from her professors and MCC staff members.

“I would always tell myself as long as you pass, you will be alright,” she said. “Once I started getting good grades, I pushed myself to make sure I continued and that makes me feel wonderful. I am honored to be part of PTK.”

Since 1918, PTK has recognized and encouraged scholarship among community college students, while promoting the academic integrity of the associate degree program. Students with grade point averages of 3.5 or higher are invited to join PTK.

For more information about MCC’s All-Massachusetts Academic Team members, contact Steven Rossi, MCC’s Director of Student Engagement, at rossis@middlesex.mass.edu or 978-656-3789.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, we educate, engage and empower a diverse community of learners. MCC offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – on our campuses in Bedford and Lowell, and online. Middlesex Community College: Student success starts here!