Hudson County Community College Student and Alumna Nominated for Phi Theta Kappa All-USA Academic Team Scholarships
March 30, 2020
March 30, 2020, Jersey City, NJ – Hudson County Community College (HCCC) student Rimsha Bazaid and alumna Kailyn Segovia-Vazquez have been nominated for the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society All-USA Academic Team scholarship.
The PTK All-USA Academic Team recognizes high-achieving students who demonstrate academic leadership and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and service that extends their education beyond the classroom to benefit society. Twenty team members from throughout the United States are named each year, with each receiving a $5,000 scholarship.
Pictured from left: Rimsha Bazaid; Kailyn Segovia-Vazquez.
Nominees to the All-USA Academic Team may also be considered for the Coca-Cola Academic Team, New Century Scholars Programs, And All-State Academic Teams.
“We are very proud of Rimsha and Kailyn. The dedication they have shown in achieving their academic goals and serving our community is truly inspirational. We congratulate them on their nominations, and we are cheering for them to be named to the All-USA Academic Team,” said HCCC President Dr. Chris Reber.
Rimsha Bazaid is a 21-year-old Jersey City resident who will graduate with an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Assisting degree this May. She plans to transfer to New Jersey City University. Her leadership activities include serving as the Director of Community Service Outreach for the Student Government Association, Treasurer of Sigma Kappa Delta, Vice President of Beta Alpha Phi, participation in the Goldman Sachs Local College Collaborative Program, mentoring in the HCCC Student Success program, and volunteering at community service events such as Earth Keepers, HCCC student service events and Hunger Free Bayonne.
Ms. Bazaid’s parents and siblings encouraged her to be the first in her family to complete a college degree.“My parents don’t speak fluent English, so my siblings translate, and make sure my parents are aware of my educational milestones,” Ms. Bazaid stated. “I chose the health care field because it helps individuals grow into people who care about others’ well-being.”
Kailyn Segovia-Vazquez is a 20-year-old Bayonne resident who earned her HCCC Associate of Arts degree in Theatre Arts in December 2019. Her HCCC leadership activities included Honors Institute events, and Honors in Action projects. She is now studying Marine Biology Behavioral Husbandry and Theatre Arts at Montclair State University.
“Both theatre and marine life have been the complete loves of my life, and I wanted to study both fields. I managed to integrate both subjects for over seventeen years, and made sure to pursue this dream and make it a reality,” Ms. Segovia-Vazquez said. Her goal is to become the first female marine biologist to conduct behavioral research on a giant squid. She also wants to work with dolphins, sea lions and walruses.
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievements of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them grow as scholars and leaders. Established in 1918, the Society has more than 3.5 million members, and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 nations, with approximately 240,000 active members in the United States.
Beta Alpha Phi, the HCCC chapter of PTK, has earned the distinction of Five State Chapter Status, Phi Theta Kappa’s highest level of recognition. The PTK Chapter Plan offers five levels of engagement, with each level consisting of prescribed activities to build a strong, active chapter taking advantage of all PTK has to offer.