Sheldon, Iowa — Three college students from northwest Iowa and one from southwest Minnesota — all Northwest Iowa Community College students — have received a state honor.
NCC officials say the four were named to the All-Iowa Academic Team. Kathleen Chicas, Matthew Grave, Thomas Holzman, and Taylor Schettler were recognized at the annual All-Iowa Academic Team Banquet this week in Des Moines.
Kathleen Chicas from Hospers is an Associate of Arts student and will graduate from NCC in May of 2019. Matthew Grave of George is an Agriculture student who graduated from NCC in December of 2018. Thomas Holzman of Alton is an Automotive Service & Light Duty Diesel Technology student and will graduate from NCC in July of 2019. Taylor Schettler of Wilmont, Minnesota is an Associate Degree Nursing (RN) student and will graduate from NCC in May of 2019.
The All-Iowa Academic Team award is an award that is offered through the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society in conjunction with the USA TODAY All-USA Community College Academic Team, and the Coca-Cola All-State Community College Academic Team each year.
Students who apply for this award must be currently enrolled at their respective community college with a minimum of 36 total credits already obtained, be on track to earn an Associate or a Bachelor degree with a minimum of 30 semester credits in the last 5 years, and must hold a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a possible 4.0 scale.
NCC officials tell us that individuals from each community college in the state of Iowa are selected by a committee on campus, to represent the college on the state level. Then from all of the Academic Teams from across the state of Iowa, 60 outstanding two-year college students are selected to proceed onto the All-USA Academic Team. This prestigious award is given each year to represent the state of Iowa at the national level.
They tell us that the criteria are designed to find students who excel academically and demonstrate intellectual rigor in their course of study; show academic growth and potential; and use their two-year college education to better themselves, their schools and their communities. Because the team is designed to represent the diversity found on two-year college campuses, all types of students – traditional, non-traditional and international – are eligible.
Photo caption: NCC Honorees (Left to Right): Matthew Grave, Kathleen Chicas, Thomas Holzman, Taylor Schettler
