Whether it was performing on stage or studying in the classroom at Montgomery County Community College, Colin Hogan, ’24, always gave a quality performance. Now his efforts are being recognized.

The 24-year-old from Boyertown, was recently named to the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team. The team is sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), 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, applicants must have completed at least 36 credits and have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

The Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges recognized Hogan, Julie Kerwood, Emilio Siguenza and Massimiliano Simon with other award recipients during an April 8 ceremony in Harrisburg.

“It’s extremely rewarding for me,” he said on being named to the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team. “I worked hard in community college to maintain my GPA. Having this, it really feels special. It shows my hard work has been noticed and appreciated. As a student, it means a lot. It’s fulfilling. It helps me keep working hard in school.”

Hogan, a Psychology major, is a member of the Beta Tau Lambda Chapter of PTK on the Pottstown Campus. He was vice president of West End Student Theatre and current vice president of research for Psi Beta, the Community College National Honor Society in Psychology. He’s currently majoring in psychology with a minor in sociology at Kutztown University, with future plans to study law.

After graduating from Boyertown Area Senior High in 2019, he entered the workforce as a factory worker, before soon realizing he wanted to go back to school. He enrolled at the Pottstown Campus in the spring of 2022 as a liberal studies major.

Early in his time at MCCC, he took an acting class with Theatre Assistant Professor Jessica DelCanton, who encouraged him to audition for the play “Constellations” directed by Theatre Assistant Professor Tim Gallagher. He landed a role having never performed on stage before and the experience changed his life.

“I loved being on stage, playing a character and being in somebody else’s shoes representing the way they lived,” he said. “It felt almost like an escape from the life of a regular college student. It felt different.”

Hogan performed in six more plays before he graduated. During his second year, he became vice president of West End Student Theatre.

“Before graduation I wanted to do more than just act,” he said. “I wanted to help out any way I could.”

During the spring of 2023, he saw a flyer promoting PTK, realized he was eligible and decided to join. While an active member, he volunteered at an American Red Cross blood drive the organization hosted.

He also worked on campus as a federal student worker under Amy Auwaerter, Director of Pottstown Campus Operations.

“She is another major reason for my success at Montco as a student,” he said.

Additionally, Hogan is the current vice president of research for Psi Beta. Psychology Professor Steven Baron mentioned the organization during one of Hogan’s classes, and he decided to apply and was accepted in the fall of 2024. The group’s 40 members include students, alumni, faculty and others currently in the research field.

“We are currently working on a research paper on the sense of belonging among students at Montgomery County Community College,” he said. “How to facilitate belonging and make students feel a part of a group, including traditional, nontraditional and online students.”

The group meets once or twice a month over Zoom to discuss and plan the work that needs to be done.

“We show what work we’ve done,” he said, “and how we’re progressing toward the paper.”

Hogan graduated from MCCC in December 2024 and transferred to Kutztown University in January 2025. His goal is to one day become a personal injury lawyer.

When he thinks about his time as a student at MCCC, he remembers the joy he had on stage.

“West End Student Theatre helped me develop not just as a student but as a person,” he said. “It opened me up and gave me connections as a student.”

With the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team award now in hand, Hogan said he’ll use the recognition to maintain a high standard for himself.

“The All-Pennsylvania Academic Team feels like something I have to keep working toward. I worked so hard, it’s a big motivator to keep moving forward,” he said. “School’s not easy, between balancing school and life, it helps me stay focused on my goal, which is important.”

Pennsylvania’s community colleges collaborate with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) universities to provide a tuition waiver to eligible All-Pennsylvania Transfer Team members at PASSHE institutions, providing two years of tuition at any PASSHE university.