Rochester Community and Technical College is proud to announce three students will serve as representatives on the 2022-2023 All-Minnesota Academic Team. Maple Lassila (Rochester, MN) is majoring in Environmental Science; Mekedelawet Mersha (Burnsville, MN) is majoring in Biology; and Justice Wright (Rochester, MN) is a Veterinary Technician major.
Each nominee completed an extensive fall scholarship application through Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society founded to recognize and encourage academic achievement among two-year college students. Students communicated their involvement with Phi Theta Kappa, their service/volunteerism at the College and in their community, and provided written responses summarizing a significant endeavor they’ve successfully undertaken. In addition to their application, each applicant provided a letter of recommendation from someone who could speak to their significant endeavor. All-Minnesota Academic Team members will be honored during a special recognition ceremony on March 24, 2023, in the Twin Cities.
As a member of the All-Minnesota Academic Team, these three students have been nominated to the All-USA Academic Team national program which allows them to be considered for more than $41 million in scholarship opportunities to which they would otherwise not have access. Minnesota has one of the 38 All-State Academic Team programs. The All-Minnesota Academic Team program provides the opportunity to showcase and celebrate some of our state’s highest-achieving college students. Colleges can nominate up to two workforce pathway students and two transfer pathway students based on the student’s commitment to service, leadership, and maintaining academic excellence.