LCCC Students Named 2023-2024 All-Pennsylvania Academic Team Members; Students Receive National Recognition

Schnecksville, Pa., March 18, 2024 – Lehigh Carbon Community College student Marie Alexis, an international student from Haiti, is one of 20 students nationwide to be named to the All-USA Academic Team, sponsored by Cengage with additional support provided by the American Association of Community Colleges and Phi Theta Kappa (the international honor society for two-year colleges). She received the honor out of 2,200 nominations nationwide. It is the first time an LCCC student has received the honor. Marie will receive a $5,000 scholarship and be recognized at the Annual Phi Theta Kappa President’s Breakfast during the AACC Convention on April 8 in Louisville, Ky.

Marie and Haily Hottenstein of Palmerton have both been named members of the 2023-2024 All-Pennsylvania Academic Team, sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa, the Coca Cola Corporation, the PA State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges (PACCC). The students will be recognized with other award recipients state-wide in Harrisburg on April 2.

Marie also has been named a 2024 New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar and will receive a $2,250 scholarship. Her selection was based on the score she received in the All-USA Academic Team competition. She was the top scoring student from the entire state of Pennsylvania.

Also, Haily has been named a 2024 Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar and will receive a $1,500 scholarship. Only 50 students nationwide received the gold designation.

A psychology major, Marie is currently president of the LCCC Student Government Association and vice president of the college’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. Marie is also a peer mentor with the First-Year Experience, is an Honors Scholar and was selected to participate in the Bucknell University Summer Program in 2023. She is also a member of the Student Advisory Council for Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. As an international student, Marie took advantage of numerous opportunities to overcome challenges and to be an involved member of the student community. She will graduate from LCCC in May 2024.

A fine arts major, Haily serves as advocacy chair for the Student Government Association and project chair for Phi Theta Kappa. She is active on campus, with membership in several clubs and organizations. In addition, Haily is an Honors Scholar and serves as a peer mentor for the First-Year Experience program. She regularly volunteers to assist with college events and activities, including open house, Student Welcome Week and the Service and Activities Fair, to name a few. She will graduate from LCCC in May 2024.

Selection for the academic team is competitive, and students must have completed at least 36 credits at a community college and earned a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Community college presidents or their designated nominators may submit no more than two nominations per campus for this award. An independent panel of judges considers outstanding academic rigor, grade point average, academic and leadership awards, and engagement in college and community service in the selection process.

Each member of the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team receives a full two-year scholarship to any of the universities in the PASSHE system and competes at the national level for scholarships from the All-USA Academic Team and the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team.

Marie Alexis

Haily Hottenstein