Two SWCC students named to 2026 All-Iowa Academic Team

Two Southwestern Community College (SWCC) students-Amanda Malone of Redding and Jimena De Leon of Guatemala-were honored as members of the 2026 Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society All-Iowa Academic Team during an awards banquet held on Monday, March 2, 2026, at Curate in Des Moines.

De Leon is an international student from Guatemala. Her goal is to become a nurse practitioner. De Leon is an active member of SWCC's Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) organization and serves as the group's vice president of service. During 2025, she was honored as a PTK Golden Opportunity Scholar. In addition, she is a tutor in the TRIO-Student Support Services department and a teacher's assistant in the biology department.

Upon graduation from SWCC, De Leon plans to transfer to a four-year university. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, going on mission trips, volunteering in hospitals, and helping others.

Malone is working toward an Associate of Arts degree with a focus in business from SWCC. Her goal is to earn a four-year degree in business law. She grew up in Redding and prides herself in coming from a family with a strong emphasis on success and supporting each other. Her ultimate goal is to retire early on a cattle operation with dairy goats on the side.

Phi Theta Kappa International serves to recognize and encourage the academic achievement of two-year college students worldwide. Joe Pastorino, business instructor, is the advisor for SWCC's Phi Theta Kappa chapter.