Northern Essex Community College student Rhiannon Lombard of Hampstead, is one of just 20 community college students from across the nation to be named to the 2008 All-USA Community College Academic First Team, which recognizes outstanding two-year college students. This competition, based on academics and service, is administered by Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society of two-year colleges.
Lombard was selected from the 1,500 students who were nominated from 849 two-year colleges located in one of 50 states. She received a trophy and a $2500 scholarship sponsored by USA Today at an awards ceremony held April 7 at the American Association of Community College’s (AACC) Annual Conference in Philadelphia. She was also featured in the April 7 issue of USA Today.
Lombard, 28, is a graphic design and visual arts major who will graduate in May with plans to transfer to a four-year college. She is a non-traditional student who came to NECC by way of Pennsylvania where she was working in an unskilled job. After a visit to Northern Essex’s career planning and advising center she found a direction, set up financing, and signed up for classes. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA while attending NECC full time, volunteering more than 400 hours to AmeriCorps, NECC’s Emerging Leaders and Presidential Student Ambassador Programs, serving as a Student Trustee on the NECC Board of Trustees, an Honors Ambassador, and interning at Raytheon.
