EVERETT—The Everett Community College (EvCC) board of trustees honored students who recently received statewide honors at their regular meeting on Tuesday, May 21.
Students Narjis Alshatee and Austin Au were named President’s Student Civic Leadership Award winners April 19 at a ceremony in Seattle. Students Shu Liu and Quynh Luu were honored April 25 at a ceremony in Olympia as members of the 2024 All-Washington Academic Team.
Student Civic Leadership Awards
These awards recognize outstanding student leaders for their work in civic engagement and social entrepreneurship, organized by Washington Campus Coalition. EvCC’s leadership team selected Alshatee and Au for this award based on nominations from the campus community.
Alshatee, 20, of Marysville, is EvCC’s associated student body (ASB) president this year, focused on improving opportunities for students to give feedback about their instructors. The student senate is the largest it has been in five years as a direct result of her passion for student engagement. Last year, while serving as ASB vice president of administration, she represented the student body as part of the group that updated the process for addressing allegations of academic dishonesty.
Au, 31, of Camano Island, is the vice president for the Neurodivergent Student Support Club. He recently participated in a panel of neurodivergent students, employees, community members and experts at EvCC. He also participates in the Trojan Partnership Program that is working to develop listening sessions to hear how students want the campus environment improved based on safety, inclusion, belonging and anti-racism.
Alshatee and Au advance for consideration for the Governor’s Student Civic Leadership Award, where they could be awarded a $500 or $1,000 stipend.
All-Washington Academic Team
Liu and Luu are among the state’s top scholars representing Washington’s 34 community and technical colleges. The award recognizes outstanding students who have demonstrated commitment to success in the classroom and in the communities where they live.
Liu, 51, of Everett, immigrated to the United States in 2022 after working as a film editor in China, witnessing firsthand the challenges of censorship and limited internet access. This ignited a curiosity about how firewalls work that led her to pursue a career in information technology. She aspires to become a skilled network engineer, gain work experience in the field, and eventually pursue a bachelor’s degree.
Luu, 20, of Lynnwood, has a passion for understanding the intricacies of life and the natural world, which drove her to pursue a career in biology, particularly in research and environmental conservation. Observing litter in her neighborhood that was marring the natural beauty and environment, Quynh initiated Project Clean Streets, partnering with local schools, businesses and organizations. Over six months, volunteers cleaned the neighborhood monthly – and provided education to hundreds – which resulted in a 30% decrease in litter in the area.
Liu and Luu each received a $217 scholarship and are eligible for additional scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $27,000 at a variety of Washington state public and private schools.
For more information about the annual All-Washington Academic Team ceremony held at South Puget Sound Community College, visit SPSCC.edu/AllWA.
SOURCE: Everett Community College
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
