Four Montgomery County Community College students—Dennis Duett of Souderton, Matthew Falcone of Green Lane, Ngozi Osazuwa of Drexel Hill and Ashley Tokarski of Pottstown—were selected for the 2019-2020 All-Pennsylvania Academic Team, which is sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for two-year colleges, and the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges.

This recognition honors an exceptional group of community college students who have achieved academic excellence and demonstrated a commitment to their colleges and communities. To qualify, students must have completed at least 36 credits and have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. 

The four students excel academically, earning their places on the dean’s list and as members of PTK, and they are actively involved on campus and in their communities. 

After working in the restaurant industry for several years, Duett decided to start taking classes at MCCC’s Central Campus in Blue Bell to earn his associate’s degree in education with the goal of teaching to make a positive impact on the lives of others. He volunteers at the Indian Creek Church of the Brethren and serves as PTK’s vice president of scholarship. He also serves on MCCC’s Student Usability Feedback Board with the Information Technology Department.

Like many of MCCC’s students, Falcone balances work, school and other responsibilities as he earns his associate’s degree in physical science at MCCC’s West Campus in Pottstown. In addition to working full time, he serves as a mentor to people in recovery. When Falcone graduates in May, he plans to pursue his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology Management.

In addition to being named to the All-PA Academic Team, Falcone was one of only 50 students nationwide to be named a 2020 Coca-Cola Team Silver Scholar. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program and selects students based on their high academic achievement, leadership and engagement in college and community service. As a Silver Scholar, Falcone will receive a $1,250 scholarship and a commemorative medallion.

Passionate about music and singing, Osazuwa plans to become a singer/songwriter and producer and currently is studying music at MCCC. She volunteers her musical talents by singing in the praise band and choir at Penn Wynne Presbyterian Church in Wynnewood, where she also serves as a youth group leader. Additionally, she volunteers in the juvenile justice division program for a non-profit social service agency in Philadelphia.

With a talent for painting and the drive to start her own business, Tokarski aspires to become an interior designer. Currently, she is a liberal studies major at MCCC’s West Campus in Pottstown, where she also volunteers with the College’s Stock Up for Success food pantry. She serves as the vice president of Service for PTK and volunteers with local community cleanup efforts.

Pennsylvania’s community colleges collaborate with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education universities to provide scholarships to All-PA Transfer Team members at PASSHE institutions, providing two years of tuition at any PASSHE school.