Two Students Named to All-Academic Team

Karolina Kowal and David Alonge have the honor of being Essex County College’s 2022 representatives on the All USA-New Jersey Community College Academic Team. The announcement of the honor caught both students a little by surprise.

“Honestly, I was not expecting this. I was both excited and surprised when I received the word from Professor Wilson,” said Karolina, a Computer Science major from North Caldwell. Karolina has a 3.97 grade point average at ECC.

Professor Lynn Wilson serves as one of the advisors to the College’s Alpha Theta Theta Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, to which both students serve as officers. 

David, a Computer Science major from Newark, expressed similar surprise and gratitude in receiving the honor.  “I’m extremely grateful to have the opportunity to represent Essex County College on the Academic Team,” he said. David has a 3.91 grade point average.

Karolina and David, who were nominated for the honor by Phi Theta Kappa, will be recognized by the New Jersey Council of County Colleges in the Spring on a date to be announced, said Professor Wilson.

Both students are also eligible for a number of national scholarships through the All USA-Coca Cola Foundation. Nominees are also eligible for the All USA National Academic Team.  

“This is a great news! Congratulations to our students and Phi Theta Kappa mentors,” said Essex County College President Dr. Augustine A. Boakye.  

“Karolina is a wonderful student and student officer who can always be counted on when it comes to chapter activities and events. So much so that she was recognized as one of the top 10 members of the Phi Theta Kappa Middle States Region during the recent Honors in Action Leadership Conference,” said Professor Wilson. Karolina is the Chapter’s Vice President of Service, and is President of the College’s Robotics and Computer Club. 

“David is the second person in his family to serve as an officer of Alpha Theta Theta. Like his sister Deborah (Officer Team 2020 – 2021) he has a ‘can do’ spirit that inspires others. As VP of Social Media, David has been pivotal in making sure that our chapter is represented and recognized throughout Middle States,” said stated Professor Wilson. David has also participated in the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholarship program at ECC.