MCCC inducts 94 members into Alpha Alpha Alpha National Honor Society for first-generation college students

Eighty-three students, eight employees, two alumni and one Board of Trustees member at Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) were recently inducted into the Beta Alpha Chapter of Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha) National Honor Society for first-generation college students.

MCCC is the first and only community college in Pennsylvania to host a Tri-Alpha chapter, according to the Honor Society’s website. Founded in 2018 at Moravian University (formerly Moravian College) in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Tri-Alpha recognizes students, faculty, staff and alumni who are among the first in their families to attain college degrees.

MCCC held its fifth annual induction ceremony April 7 in the Parkhouse Hall atrium on the Blue Bell Campus. Inductees and their families gathered to celebrate the milestone accomplishment.

In his speech, Kody Lewis, President of Student Government Association and a first-generation college student himself, said his mom attended a few courses at the College, which he recognized gave him a slight advantage over some of the other inductees in attendance. Taking on the rigors of college without a family member to lean on for guidance was a tremendous achievement.

“For them, I believe this ceremony is much deserved,” he said. “A round of applause for achieving a feat such as this.”

Dr. Jenna Meehan, Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness, congratulated the inductees on their accomplishment on behalf of the College.

“By pursuing higher education, you have not only forged a new path for yourselves,” she said, “but also set a powerful example for your families, networks, communities, and future first-generation students who will look to you for inspiration.”

“As new members of Alpha Alpha Alpha, you join a distinguished group of scholars, leaders and visionaries,” she continued. “Together you form a strong network of individuals with diverse talents who value education and lifelong learning. Congratulations, Alpha Alpha Alpha inductees. Tonight, we celebrate and honor you and your accomplishments.”

Shawn Murray, Hospitality Management Associate Professor and Tri-Alpha Advisor, told the inductees to be proud of being the first in their families to take this collegiate journey.

“Being first can be hard; being first can be scary; being first can be exciting,” he said. “As part of the first generation in your family to go to college, you are a source of pride and guidance to others.”

Keynote speaker, Kayla Danee Riley, Operations Manager at Marriott Hotels International and a 2024 alumna of MCCC’s Tourism and Hospitality Management program, was also inducted into Tri-Alpha. She told the inductees to stay focused, as their journey won’t always be clear.

“Your goals may evolve and that’s OK,” she said. “What matters is your commitment to growth and your willingness to keep moving forward. You will face struggles and moments of turbulence. That’s a part of life. But those moments don’t define you. How you respond to them does. Learn from them, grow from them and don’t let them stop you.”

Following the remarks, Murray shared the history and principles of Tri-Alpha and led the induction pledge. Each inductee walked across the stage and signed the inductee book, before receiving pins and certificates.

“By pursuing higher education, you have not only forged a new path for yourselves but also set a powerful example for your families, networks, communities, and future first-generation students who will look to you for inspiration.” —Dr. Jenna Meehan, Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness

MCCC student inductees included Monica Angstadt, Hannah Awckland, Alyssa Barnes, Bailey Bayne, Sara Bergmann, Nikaiya Bervine, Mahraeil Beshaie, Kataryna Bilyk, Bryleigh Boyhan, Kyra Bradley, Ruthann Brown, Alice Cameron, Janai Carter, Mouloud Chalah, Melanie Chmura, Steven Colwell, Natalia Costa, Melissa Craven, Jeymy Diaz, Abigail Dingler, Ashley Donohue, Myrissa Ellis, Muthiara Elysee, Brianna Engart, Ernesto Falconi, Mia Fanelli, Daniel Galarza, Sagrario Garcia Yllescas, Quinn Gilmore, Garreth Green, Mariame Guisse, Neveen Habib, Janna Haines, Chunlam Ho He, Meagan Henderson, Olivia Hickey, Bjorni Hoxha, Mildri Infante Del Carmen, Kristy Interian, Paola Jimenez Gonzalez, Marielys Jimenez Peralta, Ciani Johnson, Romina Justiniano Ruidias, Tiffany Le, Amber Le, Olivia Lonesky, Yasmin Macartney, Shanell McCubbin, Ryan McGinley, Lysianne Mpayep Fanseu, Victoria Muhammad, Vincent Nguyen, Tony Nguyen, Abegail Norgaisse, Musau Nzioki, Taylor Oetzel, Khush Patel, Wilfred Perez, Camella Poindexter, Leonardo Pousa, Ashley Rachuba, Dolly Rawat, Juan Reynoso, Cier Rivera, Nisaa Robinson, Melisa Scott, Eric Seigle, Daniel Silva Turro, Teneshia Simpson, Jessy Ska, Rosalie Sodjinou, Kayla Thibeault, Danielle  Torres, Kimberley Torres, Julia Truong, Jennyfer Tula-Lopez, Kimberlee Vilorio, Laumenaire Viltus, Keely Wagner, James Walsh, Camero Wanish, Rebecca Warren and Danielle Wertz. Alumnus Miguel Angel Grimaldos Garcia was also inducted.

Employee inductees included Dennis Duett, Liautaud Lee Dupiche, Katie Esmaili, Amanda Greenfield, Tabassum Hamid, Trudy Jefferson, Dr. Jennifer Mullen, Sandra L. O'Brien. MCCC Board of Trustees and Assistant Secretary Katherine D. McKellar-Carter was also named an honorary inductee.

To qualify for induction into Tri-Alpha, a student must earn at least 30 credits toward an associate’s degree or baccalaureate degree and achieve an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2. None of the student's parents, stepparents, or legal guardians may have completed a bachelor’s degree. For students at a community college, none of the parents, stepparents, or legal guardians may have completed an associate’s degree.

Faculty and staff also may be inducted into Tri-Alpha if they meet the definition of first-generation students and are willing to serve as mentors for first-generation students. In addition, a limited number of alumni and honorary inductees who meet the requirements of first-generation students and are connected to the institution may be initiated each year.

Since MCCC held its inaugural ceremony in 2022, it has inducted 448 members into the Beta Alpha Chapter of the Tri-Alpha National Honor Society.