Community College President's Award

Transfer students

This program recognizes transfer students by acknowledging their accomplishments and offering opportunities for significant support toward their college education at Washington State University Vancouver.

The award is designed for students who have leadership potential, are community service oriented, and who have a satisfactory grade point average (GPA).

Students are nominated by their community college's President and receive a renewable full-tuition award.

Nominations

Currently we accept nominations every year from Clark College, Lower Columbia College, Centralia College, Mt. Hood Community College, and Portland Community College (Cascade campus only).

Contact your community college President’s Office for nomination information.

2011 - 2012 Recipients

Inva BegolliInva Begolli

Clark College

Inva is an international student from Albania.  She was a student ambassador at Clark College and a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the honor society for two year colleges.  She also served on Clark’s International Week and Environmental Health committees.  In the community, she has been a youth group president for the Red Cross and Director of Youth Ministry for Word of Life Church.  Inva will be pursuing a Degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry.  Her career goal is to become a successful pharmacist. 

Nicole BucknerNicole Buckner

Portland Community College

Nicole obtained her Associate’s degree prior to attending PCC. Where she earned  Multimedia and Web Design certifications.  Nicole will enroll in WSUV’s Creative Media and Digital Culture program.  Her career goal is to become a professional web designer and  to teach leadership and computer literacy to young people.

Margaret DebevecMargaret Debevec

Centralia College

Margaret left home at age 11 and dropped out of school in 7th grade.  She lived on the streets and was in and out of juvenile detention and jail.  Life eventually changed, but she couldn’t get work with only a 7th grade education.  She went back to school and earned her GED at Centralia. “One of my teacher saw a diamond in the rough and encouraged me to continue my education.” She said. She did.
 
Margaret graduated with an Associate of Arts and Phi Theta Kappa honor.  She states if it weren’t for the Adult Basic Education and GED programs, the TRIO program, tutoring and Centralia staff recognizing that “diamond” in her, that she would not have made it.  Margaret will be pursuing a Psychology Degree. 

Watch Margaret speak in an excerpt from the January 2012 Trustees Association of Community and Technical College (TACTC) Transforming Lives Awards.

Tia GloverTia Glover

Mt Hood Community College

Tia is a first generation, returning adult student who has overcome numerous challenges in her path to college success.  A longtime volunteer in her church, community, and active participant in the TRIO program.  Tia was selected to serve as a student spokesperson for a large remodeling project on the MHCC Campus. 

A successful business owner before returning to school; Tia’s desire for a more personally meaningful career that would allow her to give back to others has led her to pursue a degree in Social Science with a concentration in Personnel Psychology/Human Resource Management.

Brian JurvakainenBrian Jurvakainen

Lower Columbia College

Brian is 7th in a family of 13 siblings.  He will be the first to attend a four year university.  He has paid for his education expense with savings earned from part-time jobs since he was 16 years old.  Brian was a Running Start student before formally admitting to LCC where he was a consistent appearance on LCC”s Dean’s List.  Brian was also honored as the 2010/2011 Outstanding Advanced Math Student.  Brian will be pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

2010 - 2011 Recipients

Sheila Rae HenricksonSheila Rae Henrickson

Clark College

Sheila has maintained a strong academic GPA while participating in extracurricular and community activities.  She was lauded by her college for her hard work and leadership ability.

 

Melissa KnudsonMelissa Knudson

Lower Columbia College

Melissa has been involved in many activities involving environmental protection, restoration and conservation.  Since taking the lead in her AmeriCorps position of coordinating volunteer efforts for Columbia River Keeper, there has been a 50% increase in water quality volunteers.  She has also worked as a CRLA Certified Tutor specializing in Math, Geography, Biology, Spanish, Chemistry, & Environmental Sciences.

George W Lewis IIIGeorge W Lewis III

Mt. Hood Community College

George demonstrated outstanding leadership serving as the co-managing editor and as the music editor of MHCC’s “Perceptions”; a student produced magazine of the arts.  His goal is to complete a program in psychology and eventually seek a career as a psychology instructor at a local college or university.

Hanna MekonenHanna Mekonen

Portland Community College

Hanna, a single mother and native of Ethiopia, moved to the US approximately 10 years ago to pursue a better life for herself and her children.  She is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering.

 

Daniel MorrisonDaniel Morrison

Centralia College

Daniel’s past experience as a volunteer firefighter, reserve police officer and member of the college’s judiciary board were the impetus leading to his goal is acquiring his Juris Doctor degree from Law School with the ultimate goal of becoming a prosecuting attorney.

2009 - 2010 Recipients

  • Dora Hernandez, Clark College
    Dora ‘s strong leadership ability and hard work lead her to be recognized by Clark College, where she is now a  board member of their Alumni Association.  Here at WSU, she is active in the WSU Vancouver Latin@ Association.
  • Janine Johnston, Mt. Hood Community College
    Janine was active in Student Government at MHCC; serving as Director of Student Activities, Director of Community Affairs, and eventually President.  Her coordination of American Red Cross campus blood drives reflected a 400% increase in participation.  She worked cooperatively with students, staff, Board of Education trustees, and state legislators.
  • Golnaz Koloushani, Centralia College
    Golnaz studied in Britain before coming  to the US from Iran.  She graduated with high honors from Centralia College, where she coordinated the college-sponsored program “The New Faces of Iran”, which featured a discussion of social changes not commonly reported in the US.
  • Jeffrey Northington, Lower Columbia College
    Jeffrey appeared on LCC’s Presidents List for six quarters and was recognized as 2006Student of the Year in Instrumentation, 2009 Student of the Year in Engineering, and Student of the Year in Mathematics, Transfer.  He has also assisted with elderly home maintenance and companionship.  Jeffrey was accepted in WSU Vancouver’s Mechanical Engineering Program.
  • Henry Ortega, Portland Community College

2008- 2009 Recipients

  • Cynthia Bergman, Centralia College
  • Angela Dahlke, Lower Columbia College 
  • Lewis Marmeet, Portland Community College
  • Kenneth Nyholm, Clark College

2007- 2008 Recipients

  • Nicole Chittock, Lower Columbia College
  • Carol Lopez-Gustin, Centralia College
  • Victor McBrooks, Portland Community College
  • Stanley Noga, Clark College

2006 - 2007 Recipients

  • Vanessa Brockman, Centralia College
  • Asalie Groff, Lower Columbia College
  • Pamela Sullivan, Clark College

2005 - 2006 Recipients

  • Maria Cook, Centralia College
  • Sherry Murphy, Clark College
  • Steven Gresswell, Clark College
  • Jennifer McLean, Lower Columbia College 
  • Veronica Ross, Portland Community College