TOMS RIVER — Ocean County College students Brooke Doering of Toms River and Cynthia Huggins of Brick were among 37 students from New Jersey’s community colleges named to the 2023 New Jersey All-State Academic Team. The students – all members of Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor society for community colleges – were honored by the New Jersey Council of County Colleges for their outstanding academic achievements and exceptional service to their communities and colleges, and recognized during the recent NJ Community College Scholars Celebration at the state museum in Trenton.
“These exceptional students utilized the many opportunities that New Jersey’s Community Colleges have to offer and succeeded brilliantly. We applaud the New Jersey All-State Academic Team members for their academic excellence, hard-work, and perseverance to rise to the top of their class. Their tenacity and incredible work ethic serve as an inspiration to all,” said NJCCC President Aaron R. Fichtner, Ph.D.
“These students have thrived on and off campus as community leaders to reach this high level of achievement,” said NJCCC Chair Mary Zimmermann. “They exemplify all the good that comes from a New Jersey Community College education, and we could not be prouder.”
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. Doering and Huggins are both members of Tau Iota, Ocean County College’s chapter of PTK.
“Being able to receive an exceptional education and grow as a person, a leader, and an active member of the community while still at home has allowed me to figure out exactly who I am and who I have the potential to become,” said Doering, who also served as chapter president of Tau Iota in 2023.
“I had a passion for community service and social work,” Huggins said. “OCC has created a space in the community where we can all truly be whoever we want to be. At OCC, I have had many opportunities to volunteer my time and be hands-on with the community.”
OCC is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of these extraordinary students!
