Erika Pelletier of Berlin was one of two members of the Hudson Valley Community College student body named to the Phi Theta Kappa All-New York Academic Team in March.
Pelletier serves as president of the Early Childhood Club, Student Senate Senior Senator, Student Life Committee Representative, Phi Theta Kappa and Cheerleading squad member. She hopes to transfer to Russell Sage College to pursue a bachelor’s degree in special education and aspires to be an early childhood intervention specialist. She also was one of just seven Phi Theta Kappa students in the SUNY and CUNY systems statewide to be a recipient of the Coca Cola Bronze Scholarship. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team program by providing nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each Bronze Scholar receives a scholarship and a special medallion.
Nominees for the honor must demonstrate academic excellence and notable service to the college and community. Those who are named to the All New York State Academic Team are eligible for scholarships at transfer colleges and universities.
Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in higher education, serving nearly 1,300 colleges in all 50 states and nine countries. Members of the All-New York Academic Team are recognized for the academic achievements, leadership accomplishments and engagement in community service.
The Phi Theta Kappa Award Ceremony recognizes outstanding community college students throughout the state. In addition to academic achievement, recipients of the award also are evaluated on their leadership and community service involvement.
The ceremony is sponsored annually by New York Community College Trustees, the New York Community College Association of Presidents, and the Faculty Council of Community Colleges.
Founded in 1953, Hudson Valley Community College offers more than 75 degree and certificate programs in four schools: Business; Engineering and Industrial Technologies; Health Science; and Liberal Arts and Sciences; and an Educational Opportunity Center for academic and career training. It has an enrollment of more than 13,000 students, and is known as a leader in distance learning initiatives and workforce training. Hudson Valley has more than 75,000 alumni.