(Left to right) Award-winning students David Parker, Marilyn Abedrabbo, Cheyenne Gregory-Myers and Gabriel Medina display their All-Texas Academic Team medals.
April 30, 2018- Five Collin College students were named to the All-Texas Academic Team by Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), an international honor society for community college students. Nominees are selected based on academic achievement and school and community involvement.
Marilyn Abedrabbo, of Plano, plans to earn an associate degree and transfer to the University of North Texas to earn a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary education. Ultimately, she hopes to teach and work for a nonprofit organization. President of the college’s Muslim Student Organization, she was named to the dean’s list in 2017. She said she is honored to receive this recognition.
“I decided to get a college degree for me. I am energized and so inspired to pay this forward, especially for education for women,” she said.
Cheyenne Gregory-Myers, of Little Elm, plans to earn an associate of science degree and apply to Collin College’s nursing program, earn a bachelor of science degree in nursing and ultimately become an acupuncturist.
A graduate of Lone Star High School in Frisco, Gregory-Myers was awarded the Foundation Board of Directors Scholarship in 2017. She volunteered for several area events including the Plano Balloon Festival, Dallas Bike Ride and the Frisco Family Services Food Pantry.
Gregory-Myers works full time and was named to the dean’s list in 2017 and 2018. She says she was shocked when she learned she was nominated.
“It is very exciting and such a privilege. I am very thankful. I have always made academics a priority because learning is a part of life. It is a cool opportunity.”
Gabriel Medina, of The Colony, plans to earn an associate degree and transfer to The University of Texas at Dallas and earn a bachelor’s degree in software engineering. Ultimately, he hopes to become a chief technology officer. A graduate of The Colony high school, he served as the chair of public relations for the college’s Alpha Mu Tau chapter of PTK.
Medina works and attends college and still makes time to volunteer. He said the nomination was unexpected and put things in perspective.
“It gave me a boost in confidence to finish my degree. Being recognized made me feel like what I am working toward is paying off. It was positive reinforcement.”
David Parker, of McKinney, will be graduating with an associate of arts degree and an associate of arts in teaching degree this semester. He plans to transfer to the University of North Texas and earn a bachelor’s degree in education. Ultimately, he wants to work for a think tank or work with educational policy to refine laws. A graduate of McKinney Boyd High School, he served as a committee chair and vice president of scholarship and is currently the president of the college’s Alpha Mu Tau PTK chapter. A devoted volunteer, he is most proud of his work with the YMCA Youth and Government and Spina Bifida Education Day. Named to the college’s president’s list in 2015 and 2016, he works as an AVID tutor for middle schools in McKinney.
“It really means a lot to be recognized for my hard work, especially because I am so passionate about PTK. This motivates me to continue working hard on my academic journey.”
Adi Weissfield, of Plano, was named to the All-Texas Academic Team by Phi Theta Kappa (PTK).
Adi Weissfield, of Plano, plans to earn an associate degree from Collin College and a bachelor’s degree in business from The University of Texas at Dallas. A graduate of Plano West High School, she ultimately plans to become an attorney. Weissfield served as the treasurer of the college’s Alpha Mu Tau chapter of PTK and was named to the college’s dean’s list and president’s lists in 2017.
According to Weissfield, she was pleasantly surprised by the nomination.
“It is a great honor to be one of the students nominated from this team. It is a huge résumé booster and offers me the opportunity to network with many people,” she said.
Collin College serves more than 53,000 credit and continuing education students annually and offers more than 100 degrees and certificates. The only public college in the county, Collin College is a partner to business, government and industry, providing customized training and work force development. In addition, the college operates the Collin Higher Education Center, which serves 3,200 additional students each year in partnership with The University of Texas at Dallas, Texas Woman’s University, Texas A&M Commerce, Texas Tech and the University of North Texas.