PTK All-Virginia Academic Team Awards Ceremony Honors Top Achievers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2026

MEDIA CONTACT:
Craig Butterworth
PR Coordinator
[email protected]

Richmond, VA - Virginia's highest-achieving community college students were recognized for their academic excellence, leadership, and service at the annual Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) All-Virginia Academic Team Awards Ceremony and Luncheon on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at the Omni Richmond Hotel - Downtown.

The event celebrated approximately 80 students from across Virginia's Community Colleges who were nominated by their institutions for demonstrating exceptional academic performance combined with leadership - the kind of attributes and level of service that extends their education beyond the classroom to benefit society.

"These men and women, whose pursuit of excellence has proven unwavering, represent the best of what our community college students achieve - not just academic excellence, but a commitment to serving their communities and leading positive change," said Dr. David Doré, Chancellor of Virginia's Community Colleges, who delivered welcoming remarks at the gathering.

The ceremony recognized both the All-Virginia Academic Team and the Top Ten All-Virginia Academic Team, whose members achieved the highest ratings in the international program sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa and the American Association of Community Colleges. Each honored student received a certificate and medallion in recognition of their achievements.

Dr. John Rainone, President of Mountain Gateway Community College, served as emcee. The event attracted an estimated 160 attendees, including all 23 of Virginia's Community Colleges' presidents, PTK college advisors, state board members, and VCCS senior leadership.

The ceremony also recognized recipients of prestigious Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team scholarships, as well as New Century Transfer Scholars and New Century Workforce Scholars.

Virginia was one of 39 states that took part in the All-State Academic Teams program, introduced in 1994 to provide scholastic recognition to Phi Theta Kappa members while promoting excellence at two-year colleges. Students nominated to the national All-USA Academic Team are automatically named to the All-State Academic Teams and are eligible for scholarships provided by Coca-Cola.

About Virginia's Community Colleges

Since 1966, Virginia's Community Colleges have given everyone the opportunity to learn and develop the right skills, so lives and communities are strengthened. By making higher education and workforce training available in every part of Virginia, we elevate all of Virginia. In academic year 2024, Virginia's Community Colleges served more than 232,000 students across 23 colleges throughout the Commonwealth. Learn more at https://www.vccs.edu.