2 Essex County College Students From Newark Make ‘All-Academic Team’

NEWARK, NJ — Two high-achieving students from Newark have made the grade as Essex County College’s 2023 representatives on the All USA-New Jersey Community College Academic Team.

Elizabeth Bakare and Favour Ogbinaka are also in the running for the All USA National Academic Team, college administrators said.

“Both Elizabeth and Favour are exceptional students and student leaders,” said professor Lynn Wilson, co-advisor of the college’s Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) chapter.

“I could not be prouder of Elizabeth and Favour for their contribution to the team and to the student body, and I am excited to see what the future holds for them,” Wilson said.

Bakare, a biology/pre-medicine major from Newark, said she had applied for the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society scholarship, which led to her selection. She is vice president of scholarship for the college’s Alpha Theta Theta chapter of PTK, and has a 3.89 grade point average.

“I was surprised and real grateful for this honor,” said Bakare, whose career goal is to become a medical doctor.

“Most times, I look at myself and think a small girl from a little city is having big dreams,” Bakare said. She lists Cornell University and Rutgers University-New Brunswick as her top two transfer destinations after graduating from Essex County College.

Meanwhile, Ogbinaka an engineering major from Newark, has a perfect 4.0 grade point average and serves as PTK chapter secretary. In addition to his work in Phi Theta Kappa, he helped revitalize the college’s engineering club. He plans to major in computer engineering after graduating, and is considering NJIT and Columbia University as transfer options.

“I was just hoping to receive a scholarship,” Ogbinaka recalled. “I filled out the application and just hoped things would work out – which they have.”

Bakare and Ogbinaka will represent Essex County College in Trenton (formally called PTK Day) in May of 2023, where they will be recognized alongside other New Jersey community college nominees by state officials.

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