Schools

Prince George's Community College Highlights Outstanding Grads

Students receive $450,000 to transfer to top colleges in the DC Metro area.

Submitted by Prince George's Community College.

More than 1,200 students have completed requirements to receive degrees and certificates at Prince George’s Community College. Half of the graduating class will participate in the 53rd Commencement Exercises of Prince George’s Community College, Thursday, May 24, 7 p.m. at The Showplace Arena and Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro, Md. Graduates have received special recognition for highest honors, academic achievements, leadership and community involvement. Students representing the Honors Academy and Hillman Entrepreneurs programs have been awarded $450,000 in combined scholarships, grants and aid.

“As we conclude this academic year under our new Envision Success program, dedicated to transforming the lives of students at Prince George’s Community College, our employees and, most importantly, our students have achieved great things as a result of determination, teamwork, and focus,” said Charlene M. Dukes, president of Prince George’s Community College. “The degrees, certificates and scholarships earned and received at commencement are visible acknowledgments of our collective hard work. These achievements inspire all of us to continue to incorporate innovation and promising practices in our unwavering support of student success,” she added.

Members of the Prince George’s Community College Class of 2012 have overcome a plethora of experiences and challenges to become some of the top students in the nation. Listed below are highlights of the graduating cohort.

Carlos Biaou
Biaou is a native of Benin (West Africa) where problems with electricity outages inspired him to study engineering so he could return home to his native land and improve the infrastructure. He came one step closer to achieving his dream when he became one of 60 students nationwide to be awarded a Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholarship worth $30,000 per year. He will transfer to University of Maryland, College Park to major in electrical engineering. Biaou has been recognized for a host of academic honors including membership in the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta (National High School and Two-Year College Mathematics Honor Society), Dean's List, Honors Academy. He is an active member of the campus and local community and has participated in the Walk Now for Autism Speaks, Christmas in April Prince George’s County, Upward Bound Program and the International Education Center at Prince George’s Community College.

Karen Defay-DeJesus (Mitchellville, Md.)
Defay-DeJesus recently moved to the area from Florida with her husband. As a way to meet people and make a smoother transition, she joined The Owl student newspaper.  Defay-DeJesus was among the first cohort of the Women of Wisdom, a new program at Prince George’s Community College designed to enhance personal and professional development opportunities for women. Seeing her mother struggle as single parent to put food on the table and pay the bills, she was inspired her to find a major that would help her empower other women. She received the Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship full merit scholarship from University of Maryland, College Park for two years where she will major in women's studies. Defay-DeJesus is a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and the Honors Academy.

Amber Ferguson (Greenbelt, Md.)
Ferguson was the victim of relentless bullying in her youth, but she has grown to become a better student, leader and also a stronger woman.  She was awarded the Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship full merit scholarship to University of Maryland, College Park for two years where she will major in history and was honored with a Who’s Who award and as a Legacy Scholar. Ferguson received the Social Science Memorial scholarship and has also earned a Citation in Honors. In addition to her academic achievements, Ferguson was selected to represent the college at the national Achieving the Dream’s 2012 Annual Meeting on student success as a student tweeter. She also served as editor of the Owl student newspaper and as a student ambassador.

Allison Fluharty (Brandywine, Md)
Fluharty developed a fascination with Japanese culture at a young age, taught herself to speak Japanese, and plans to teach in Japan. She received the Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship full merit scholarship to University of Maryland, College Park for two years where she will major in international affairs. She served as president of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and achieved a 4.0 grade point average. In addition to her academic achievements, she served as a member of the Asian Awareness Club, Humanities Collegian Center and Kaleidoscope Club.

Tia Holmes (Fort Washington, Md.)
After years in the workforce, Holmes decided to change careers by pursuing a college degree.  As part of her
re-entry into academia, the Oxon Hill High School graduate successfully completed the developmental mathematics program and earned a 4.0 grade point average. In 2012, she was selected to the All-USA Community College Academic Team, an elite group of 20 students nationwide and named a New Century Scholar as the top community college student in Maryland. She received the Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship full merit scholarship to University of Maryland, College Park for two years where she plans to major in communications.  Holmes was a legislative intern in the office of Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) and member of the Prince George’s Community College Board of Trustees. In addition to her academic achievements, Holmes served on the college’s Publications Advisory Board, was the Owl student newspaper interim editor-in-chief, associate editor and lead graphic designer.

Kara Hogue (Bowie, Md.)
Hogue, a shy homeschooled student, gained confidence through academic success in honors programs and community service opportunities including the Prince George’s Community College Volunteers for Income Tax Assistance program. She received a Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship Partial Merit Award to University of Maryland, College Park where she will continue her studies in business.  She is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and Honors Academy. In addition to her academic work, Hogue is a peer mentor with the ALANA program, member the Kaleidoscope club and the Bernard Collegian Center.

Satcha Robinson
Robinson faced family hardship due to a parent’s illness but found outlets in her role as captain of the women’s soccer team and in academic excellence. In 2012, she was one of 60 students from across the country to be awarded a Jack Kent Cooke Transfer Scholarship worth $30,000 per year that she will use to transfer to American University to study international business.  In addition, she was named a 2012 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Silver Scholar. Robinson served as secretary of the Prince George’s Community College Tau Pi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, volunteer with the Prince George’s Community College’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, Walk Now for Autism Speaks and Jericho Food Shelter.

Robert Stewart (Beltsville, Md.)
Stewart learned to plan, organize and lead as an Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America Troop 1033 in Beltsville, Md. He received a Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship Partial Merit Award to University of Maryland, College Park. Stewart was a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and the Honors Academy. He was involved in several leadership and service activities at the college and in the community including the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Collegian Center, Christmas in April and Walk Now for Autism.

Noor Tagouri (Bowie, Md.)
At 18 years old, Tagouri has made history as the youngest graduate to be selected as the 2012 Student Commencement Speaker at the 53rd Commencement Exercises of Prince George’s Community College. During her time at the college, she served as a math tutor, writer for The Owl student newspaper, participant in Pathways to Student Leadership Program, public relations representative for the Muslim Student Association, founder and president of Green N' Fit Club, president of the Muslim Student Association, events coordinator of the Public Speaking Club and member of the Amnesty International Club. Her academic achievements at Prince George’s include membership in Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, Honors Academy, Dean’s List, Honors Citation, graduating with a 4.0 grade point average and Highest Honors. Tagouri was awarded the Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship full merit scholarship to University of Maryland, College Park for two years where she plans to major in broadcast journalism and international development and conflict management.

Jeremy Way (Largo, Md.)
Way describes himself as an overweight child. Determined to live a healthier life and help others, he developed his own personal fitness and diet program, lost 50 pounds and is studying to become a doctor. Way received the Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship full merit scholarship to University of Maryland, College Park for two years, was a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and the Honors Academy.  At the college, he served as a peer mentor with the ALANA program, member of Diverse Male Student Initiative and Chemistry Club member.

Jacqueline Whipple (Camp Springs, Md.)
Preceded by two sisters and a brother, Whipple is the fourth member of her family to graduate from the Honors Academy at Prince George’s Community College.  She was selected for a Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship Partial Merit Award to University of Maryland, College Park where she will major in history. She was a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and the Honors Academy. In addition to her academic achievements, Whipple was a member of the Humanities Collegian Center, a mentor for the International Education Center and participant in Christmas in April service project.

Natasha Wright (District Heights, Md.)
Wright was labeled by one of her teachers in grade school as a less than exemplary student. Determined to dispel her critics, Wright worked harder to succeed.  Her focused efforts at the college paid off and she received the Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship full merit scholarship to University of Maryland, College Park for two years where she will major in psychology. She was a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, the Honors Academy and the Administration of Justice Collegian Center.

Hillman Entrepreneurs Program prepares graduates for roles as future business leaders.

Members of the 2012 Hillman Entrepreneurs cohort are David Briscoe (Landover, Md.); Adrienne Cobb (Upper Marlboro, Md.); Kibwe Hughes (Hyattsville, Md.); Christine Juwle (Bowie, Md.); Carolyn Simms (Glenn Dale, Md.); Devonna Smith (Temple Hills, Md.); Kyle Snyder (Berwyn Heights, Md.); Vanessa Sorto (Montgomery Village, Md.); Sana Tanveer (Bowie, Md.); Mariyah Watson (Bowie, Md.).

Open to all Maryland residents interested in starting businesses or nonprofit organizations, the Hillman Program offers students one-on-one academic mentoring, assistance in securing internships and a unique series of courses designed specifically to develop them into successful entrepreneurs and community leaders. Students in the program at Prince George’s Community College receive a full scholarship, including books and support in a seamless transfer to University of Maryland, College Park.

Graduating students are recognized at commencement for receiving top honors within their majors

Prince George’s Community College recognizes two graduating students during the commencement ceremonies for academic achievements within their respective curriculums. Melvin Johnson (Fort Washington, Md.), member of the men’s basketball team, received the Physical Education Major of the Year Award. Kristen Urtola (Fort Washington, Md.) was acknowledged as the Associate of Arts in Teaching Student of the Year.


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