Angelina Ventura, a Liberal Studies major at Montgomery County Community College, is rarely without her sketch book on campus and is looking to develop a career which marries her love of art with technology. She was recently named to the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team as a transfer scholar. Photo by Eric Devlin
Montgomery County Community College gave Angelina Ventura something she’s wanted for a long time — space to discover her talents and passions to help her decide what she wants to do with her life.
“Community college,” she said, “became the place where I finally allowed myself to explore.”
During this time of self-discovery, Ventura put in the work in and out of the classroom. Now her efforts are being rewarded, as she recently received statewide honors. The Liberal Studies major was recently named to the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team as a transfer scholar. The team is sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), the international honor society for two-year colleges, and The Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges.
This recognition honors an exceptional group of community college students who have achieved academic excellence and demonstrated a commitment to their colleges and communities. To qualify, students must have completed at least 36 credits and have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
The Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges recognized Ventura and three other MCCC All-Pennsylvania team members with other award recipients statewide in Harrisburg April 7.
Ventura was overwhelmed by the honor.
“It’s surreal. I didn’t expect to get to where I am in life. High school was crazy for me,” she said. “I was not a great student. But by submitting the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team application and realizing someone’s willingness to give me a chance, it was heartwarming to me. I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
Ventura, 20, of Horsham, a 2024 Abington Senior High School graduate, enrolled at the College in the fall of 2024. Her experience at the College couldn’t have been better for her, as it allowed her to explore her passions. Growing up, she often felt pressure to choose between a career in the arts or in science, or “between passion and stability,” she said.
“Taking the time to reflect on my strengths, weaknesses, and genuine interests helped me realize something important: I never needed to choose between one or the other,” she said. “I could build a future that honors all sides of who I am.”
She’s interested in pursuing a career in digital design, focusing on user interface and user experience design. She said it allows her to marry her love for the arts with technology and science. Her dream goal would be to parlay her talents into the entertainment or fashion industry.
Ventura reached that decision after opportunities afforded her through MCCC both on-and-off-campus. In addition to being named to the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team, Ventura was named to the Dean’s List four times. She’s also the co-president of Blue Bell Campus’ Alpha Kappa Zeta Chapter of PTK. She shares the title with Kimberly Madera.
“It’s been great. Everyone in that club is so very determined to do great things. I find it inspiring,” she said. “I initially wanted to be the president because I wanted to put myself out there socially and push myself. Then there was another person who wanted to be president. So, we said let’s be co-presidents. It’s been a great experience because it hasn’t been lonely.”
Her favorite group project was called “Winter Stories of Strength,” where students were invited to drink hot chocolate and share a story from their past where they overcame an obstacle.
“We were all floating around ideas of how to get people together in one place to be vulnerable, share stories and open up about their experiences,” she said. “You find you’re more similar to someone when people are just talking.”
She was also a member of the Sustainability Club and assisted with the costume department with MCCC Theatre Arts and the Drama Club.
Off campus, for the last four years she’s volunteered to host a bingo game to raise money for Variety- The Children’s Charity of the Delaware Valley and helped lead a nonpartisan get-out-the-vote initiative before the fall 2024 election with Project 26 PA. In addition, she’s interned as a social media coordinator for an app users can download to have their car washed wherever they are. She’s currently interning for the independent magazine “Brown Orchid.”
“They focus on people of color in the Gen Z space. It’s been great,” she said. “I don’t know if marketing is my path, but I know I like the creative aspects of it.”
After graduation this spring, Ventura said she’ll transfer to a four-year institution in the fall of 2026 to continue her education, she said. She’s grateful for the time MCCC has allowed her to pursue her passions and figure out what she wants to do with her life.
“Montco helped me decide who I am and what I want to do,” she said. “I really appreciate the support and can’t wait to see what comes next.”
Pennsylvania’s community colleges collaborate with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) universities to provide a tuition waiver to eligible All-Pennsylvania Transfer Team members at PASSHE institutions, providing two years of tuition at any PASSHE university.