Students Receive All-State Academic Team Recognition

Southeast New Mexico College students, Keily Medina, Sammy Lopez, and Colette Christian received the New Mexico All-State Academic Team Recognition on January 28 at the State Capitol in Santa Fe.

The recognition is sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) and the New Mexico Independent Community College Association. To qualify for the Academic All Stars Team, a student must be a PTK member in good standing, have a 3.5 GPA or above, be graduating in the Spring Semester, and be nominated by their PTK Advisors. At the same time, students are nominated for the Coca-Cola All-American Scholarship at the national level.

SENMC PTK Advisor and NM Regional Coordinator, Dr. Raven Anderson, said, “It was a privilege to nominate these three outstanding students for the New Mexico All-State Academic Team and the Coca-Cola All-American award. They embody the four Phi Theta Kappa Hallmarks—Scholarship, Leadership, Fellowship, and Service—serving as true inspirations. I am immensely proud of their achievements and look forward to all they will accomplish in the future.”

Keily Medina is set to graduate in May with an Associate of Arts Degree. For the past two years, Keily has served as a Chapter Officer in the Phi Theta Kappa Chapter at SENMC. She has played a key role in the Honor’s in Action project and helped the chapter achieve Regional Awards for Distinguished Chapter Officer Team. As a non-traditional student, Keily has successfully balanced her academic excellence with full-time work and other commitments, demonstrating exceptional dedication and perseverance.

Sammy Lopez will graduate in May with an Associate of Science Degree. He is a leader of uncommon integrity. He serves as a chapter officer and regional officer, mentors peers, and models what it means to lead through service. What makes Sammy exceptional is not only his academic excellence but his clarity of purpose. He is committed to becoming a physician who understands patients not only from textbooks, but from lived experience.

Colette Christian is finishing her first year of the Associate of Nursing Program. Her goal is to serve patients in our rural community by working in a cardiovascular clinic, where she can provide compassionate, high-quality care and help improve access to essential health services. Colette will use the skills she developed through Phi Theta Kappa and her academic excellence to grow into a leadership role and eventually become a Director of Nursing, supporting both patients and the nurses who care for them.

According to Phi Theta Kappa’s official website, ptk.org, Phi Theta Kappa is the official honor society for two-year colleges. Since its founding in 1819, PTK has celebrated academic achievements, personal growth, leadership, and service among community and technical college students. The organization has nearly 1,250 chapters worldwide and has inducted over 4.3 million students. PTK offers scholarship opportunities, leadership development, and resources to promote success beyond the classroom.