RCGC Students Named to 2017 All-State Academic Team

Rowan College at Gloucester County (RCGC) students Gianna Visceglia, of Williamstown, and Michael Koppel, of Deptford, were recognized for their exceptional academic accomplishments by the New Jersey Council of County Colleges on Thursday, May 4, during the 23^rd annual Phi Theta Kappa Day (PTK) celebration in Trenton.

Thirty-nine of New Jersey’s best and brightest community college students were honored during the event, sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for community colleges, the Coca-Cola Foundation, and the New Jersey Education Association. Phi Theta Kappa Day brings together deserving community college students statewide to be recognized by policymakers and legislators for their academic achievements. Visceglia and Koppel were awarded medallions as members of the 2017 New Jersey All –State Academic Team.

Visceglia, an RCGC psychology major who will transfer to Rowan University in September, serves as the College’s PTK vice president of leadership and is the first child in her family to graduate with an associate degree. An active volunteer at RCGC and within the community participating in projects that include the Roadrunner Refuel Food Bank, animal welfare and assisting the elderly, Visceglia also works part time while maintaining a 3.9 grade point average. At the President’s Awards Ceremony on May 16, she was awarded the President’s Award for Achievement in Leadership & Service.

“I learned leadership by being involved with PTK. In April, I attended a Leadership Summit at Rowan University. I like being someone that people seek advice from and helping others,” said Visceglia. “It is an honor to be named to the All-State Academic Team. Not everyone can say they have received this accomplishment.”

Koppel, a mathematics major with a 4.0 GPA, will be the first in his family to attend a four-year university after graduating in May. He has been accepted into Drexel University’s electrical engineering program and is the recipient of approximately $24,000 in scholarships. In addition to PTK, Koppel is also active in RCGC’s Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, a member of the Math Club and is vice president of the STEM Club. During the President’s Awards Ceremony, he received the J. Howard and Helene K. Morris Scholarship, the President’s Awards for Excellence in mathematics and the President’s Award for Achievement in Leadership & Service.

“It is a great honor to be nominated as a part of the All-State Academic Team. I have really enjoyed my time at RCGC,” said Koppel. “The professors and people here really care about the students. It makes you feel like you can perform well and gives you confidence.”

Phi Theta Kappa has recognized and encouraged scholarship among community college students for 99 years while promoting the academic integrity of the associate degree program. Students with grade point averages of 3.5 or higher are invited to join Phi Theta Kappa.

“All-State Academic Team members are proudly introduced as the best of the best this College has to offer; hearing their names announced more than once during the College’s President’s Awards Ceremony on May 17 is a true testament to the quality of students RCGC produces,” stated Phi Theta Kappa Advisor John Ortiz.

Rowan College at Gloucester County is located at 1400 Tanyard Road in Deptford, just off Exit 56 of Route 55.

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