Cincinnati State nominates two for All-USA Academic Team

December 21, 2010

Cincinnati State Technical and Community College has nominated two students, Joshua Monroe and Shieh Yen Chong, for the 2011 All-USA Academic Team competition.

Neither fits the description of a traditional student, even by community college standards.

• Monroe, a Springfield Township resident, is pursuing an Associate of Science degree and ultimately plans to pursue a PhD in chemical engineering.Monroe came to Cincinnati State after time in the workforce that included a three-year run as manager of the suburban tire store where he’d begun as an entry-level employee. By taking a voluntary demotion to tire changer, he was able to cut his work hours to 20 a week and attend Cincinnati State full-time. At Cincinnati State he has worked as a student ambassador and tour guide, and at his church serves as a volunteer on retreats and other events. He has a 4.0 GPA and is Vice President of Membership for the Beta Gamma Sigma chapter of Phi Theta Kappa on campus.
• Ms. Chong, who currently lives in Blue Ash, is an international student pursuing an Associate of Arts degree.A native of Malaysia, she had been a Montessori teacher there when she joined an Au Pair program and came to the United States in 2008. Shortly after moving in with her first host family, Shieh Yen enrolled at Cincinnati State as a part-time student. At the same time, she began volunteering at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, working first with infants and toddlers, then with children being treated for cerebral palsy. She has been quite active in her church, working in an emergency food program in Northern Kentucky, and has offered lessons in Chinese to children and adults through the Wyoming Public Library. After graduating from Cincinnati State she plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree in special education and become a teacher. At Cincinnati State, Shieh Yen is a member of Phi Theta Kappa and the International Student Association.

The All-USA Academic Team competition for community college students is a national, annual event sponsored by USA Today, the Coca-Cola Foundation, the American Association of Community Colleges and Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. Their collaboration this year will lead to students being featured in an April issue of USA TODAY and the awarding of nearly $350,000 in stipends to outstanding community college students.

The All-USA/All-State Community College programs share a common application and eligibility criteria. Twenty students will be selected in early 2011 to the national All-USA Community College Academic Team, each receiving a $2,500 stipend and medallion. Fifty students will be named Gold Scholars, receiving $1,500; 50 students will be named Silver Scholars, receiving $1,250; and 50 students will be named Bronze Scholars, receiving $1,000. The top scoring student in each of the 50 states will be named a New Century Scholar and will receive a $2,000 stipend.