ECC Student Samirah Scantling Honored by Essex County

Samirah Scantling, a Business Administration major and President of the College’s Alpha Theta Theta Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, is a recipient of the 2024 Essex County Althea Gibson Leadership Award. Samirah received her honor during the ceremony, under the direction of Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., on March 13 in the Essex County Martin Luther King, Jr. Justice Building.

Maya Ratzan, a senior at Newark Tech who will earn her Liberal Arts Associate degree from ECC this year as part of the College’s Dual Enrollment Program, was another honoree at the ceremony.

“I just want to thank everyone at Essex County College who have helped me along the way. Even after I graduate this year, I will continue to help our future leaders from ECC,” Samirah stated. She works in the College’s Learning Center. Samirah will attend the Rutgers University School of Business this Fall. 

ECC’s President, Dr. Augustine A. Boakye, offered high praise to Samirah. “Ms. Scantling is a leader who works to ensure our students have what is needed to be successful. This is leadership.”

Dr. Boakye is flanked by Samirah Scantling (left) and Maya Ratzan

Samirah is presented her 2024 Essex County Althea Gibson Leadership Award from Kate Hartwyk, Deputy Director of the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs