Community college students honored
COLUMBUS – A new class of Ohio community college academic all-stars is being celebrated as part of Community College Month.
The 52 students chosen for the 2026 All-Ohio Academic Team have been recognized for their excellence in academics, leadership, and community service. College faculty, staff, and other campus leaders nominated these top-performing students, who come from all parts of the state.
Ohio is in the midst of what could be the biggest transformation of the state’s economy in history, including the careers it supports, and community colleges play an essential role in preparing the workforce for this exciting technology-focused age, said Avi Zaffini, President and CEO of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC).
“Members of the 2026 All-Ohio Academic Team are the best and brightest this state has to offer, and they are driving this transformation,” Zaffini said. “Their success in the classroom and their potential for their chosen careers shows the value of Ohio’s community colleges in developing a well-educated, motivated workforce that will drive our state’s economy for decades to come.”
The All-Ohio Academic Team program is a collaboration among OACC, the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, and event sponsors Honda, KeyBank, and Franklin University.
This year’s honorees represent a bright future for Ohio and its workforce, said Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Mike Duffey.
“I congratulate these All-Ohio Academic Team members for their achievements and know they will carry this same level of excellence into their careers, further contributing to the strength and vitality of our state,” Chancellor Duffey said. “And I commend our community colleges for providing the education that will help them succeed.”
First-team honorees will receive $1,000 scholarships, second-team members will receive $500 scholarships, and third-team members will receive $250 scholarships. The scholarships are meant to help the honorees transfer to universities to complete their bachelor’s degrees.
The teams also include students planning to move directly into the workforce. Those students will also receive recognition and awards.
In addition to the state awards, three students were selected for national community college honors.
National Selectees
Nichole Hoffard, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, New Century Transfer Scholar and All-USA Team
Danielle Starry, Stark State College, New Century Workforce Scholar
Logan Savage, Southern State Community College, Coca-Cola Academic Team Scholar
Franklin University also announced that Morgan Muhly of St. Clairsville, a student at Belmont College, will receive a full-tuition scholarship for an online bachelor’s degree program following a competitive application process.
Members of the 2026 All-Ohio Academic Team are:
First Team:
Ethan Alexander, Cincinnati State Technical & Community College — Cincinnati
Nichole Hoffard, Cincinnati State Technical & Community College — Bethel
Hans Cadejuste, Columbus State Community College — Columbus
Marcella Moore, Cuyahoga Community College — Bedford Heights
Jesse Halfhill, North Central State College — Mansfield
Madison Bolin, Rhodes State College — Piqua
Logan Savage, Southern State Community College — Greenfield
Danielle Starry, Stark State College — North Canton
Joselyn Erb, Washington State College of Ohio — Vincent
Tracey Sawtelle, Washington State College of Ohio — Dexter
Second Team:
Morgan Muhly, Belmont College — St. Clairsville
Aidan Hodgson, Central Ohio Technical College — Granville
Rachelle Pierre, Clark State College — Springfield
Verona Mahilet, Cuyahoga Community College — Cleveland
Rachel Ryan, Lakeland Community College — Jefferson
Jennifer Day, Lorain County Community College — Lorain
Anh Le, Sinclair Community College — Beavercreek
Wyatt Osborn, Southern State Community College — Lynchburg
Destyni McGowan, Terra State Community College — Botkins
Rose Mary, Washington State College of Ohio — Parkersburg, West Virginia
Third Team:
Taylor Harwatt, Belmont College — Wheeling, West Virginia
Michele Dobos, Central Ohio Technical College — Newark
Landen Kouns, Central Ohio Technical College — West Union
Iryna Hrushovenko, Cincinnati State Technical & Community College — Mason
Ayoko Sallah, Cincinnati State Technical & Community College — Fairfield
Jennifer Belvo, Clark State College — Fairborn
Allison Shaw, Clark State College — Springfield
Courtney Dexter, Columbus State Community College — Columbus
Harry Anderson, Cuyahoga Community College — South Euclid
Aniya Alex, Cuyahoga Community College — Euclid
Victoria Kovalsky, Cuyahoga Community College — Brunswick
Taylor Confer, Cuyahoga Community College — Parma
Alexis Hurchanik, Cuyahoga Community College — Independence
Tuan Khoi Phan, Cuyahoga Community College — Brooklyn
Mona Shaban, Cuyahoga Community College — Westlake
Chris Wise, Cuyahoga Community College — Lakewood
Michael Lanzara, Lakeland Community College — Mayfield Heights
Kathryn Longmeier, Marion Technical College — Waldo
Ava Pernia, Marion Technical College — Marion
Brady Clark, Northwest State Community College — Defiance
Seth Hathaway, Northwest State Community College — Deshler
Aubrie Baird, Rhodes State College — Hicksville
Eva Goubeaux, Rhodes State College — Houston
Kaitlin Slade, Rhodes State College — Payne
Alejandro Ramirez, Sinclair Community College — Huber Heights
Sonia Farzaneh Gord, Sinclair Community College — Dayton
Cheyenne Patrick, Sinclair Community College — Loveland
Bentley Schweickart, Southern State Community College — Winchester
Madison King, Stark State College — Mogadore
Sarah Wilson, Stark State College — Akron
Micah Kirchner, Terra State Community College — Columbus
Sara Strahler, Washington State College of Ohio — McConnelsville