Campus News

Three Students Recognized as PTK All-Minnesota Academic Team

5/14/19

Minnesota West is pleased to announce that three students were recognized and named to the 2019 PTK All-Minnesota USA Academic Team. Elijah Hopp, Melinda Lopez, and Maritza Orozco were three of the 45 students named to the All-Minnesota Academic Team.

Hopp is pursing his A.A.S. in telecommunications, whose training will enable him to assist communications companies and their customers with their technology and communications needs. During his tenure at Minnesota West, he has shown growth and leadership in his classes and by taking on the leadership role of Vice-President of Leadership in Phi Theta Kappa.

Lopez will graduate in May with her A.S. in Nursing as a PSEO student and will complete her high school graduation in June. Lopez has served in numerous leadership roles on campus including Student Senate President, Phi Theta Kappa Chapter President, and is the Governing Council Representative Student-At-Large through Lead Minnesota.

Orozco will graduate in May with a liberal arts degree and a degree in business management. While completing her education,  Orozco also worked as a paraprofessional and saw first-hand how inspiring and instilling confidence in children can positively change students in the classroom. These mentoring experiences have helped shape her occupational goals, and motivated her to continue to chase her life dreams.

The All-State Academic team was introduced 25 years ago years ago to honor and recognize two-year college students for their leadership, academic achievement, and community and college service. In 1994, state academic teams were introduced as a way to provide scholarships and scholastic recognition to Phi Theta Kappa members while promoting excellence at two-year colleges. The state academic teams are a division of the Academic All-American Team for Community, Technical, and Junior College Students, an international program sponsored annually by Phi Theta Kappa, USA Today, and the American Association of Community Colleges.

Minnesota’s public community and technical colleges are proud to be a part of a tradition that showcases the high achievements of students who are committed to success in the classroom and service to their communities. By recognizing these students, Minnesota demonstrates a commitment to scholarship and community service as essential objectives in the state’s public community and technical colleges.