Released: March 2, 2017
Santa Fe Community College students Susan Griego O’Connor and Jinelle Scully have been named to the New Mexico All-State Academic Team. The recognition is sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa and the New Mexico Independent College Association.
Both students came to SFCC after spending years in the workplace and are eager to earn academic credentials to further their careers.
Susan Griego O’Connor, a Santa Fe native, is a holistic health care provider who came to SFCC to take a class about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She now integrates her holistic work helping those with PTSD and other anxiety disorders. “I was inspired by the great teachers at SFCC,” Griego O’Connor said. With their encouragement, she earned a Certificate in Traumatic Stress Aide (with high honors) and will graduate with an associate degree in psychology this spring. She plans to continue her studies at Arizona State University this summer. “I want to get a bachelor’s degree and eventually earn a Ph.D. in psychology,” Griego O’Connor said.
Jinelle Scully has worked for many years in health-related jobs and is now enrolled in SFCC’s nursing program to earn both an associate degree from SFCC and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of New Mexico. SFCC partners with UNM so students can obtain both degrees without leaving the community. The Michigan native was active in helping children in rural Alaska access health care services. After moving to the state, she worked at the New Mexico Department of Health in disease prevention and is currently working with the Health Equity Partnership at the Santa Fe Community Foundation. “I enjoyed working in the health field, but I realized that I wanted to work more with people one-on-one and decided to pursue nursing.”
To be eligible for the Academic All-Stars Team, students must complete 36 credit hours and maintain a minimum 3.5 grade point average. They are also judged on participation in student organizations, community service and other criteria.
Phi Theta Kappa works to emphasize and recognize academic excellence at two-year colleges. There are 2.5 million PTK members worldwide on 1,270 campuses.
They were honored at an awards ceremony at the Capitol on Feb. 27.
Photo caption:
Left to right: SFCC Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Margaret Peters, Academic All-Star Susan Griego O’Connor, SFCC president Randy Grissom, Academic All-Star Jinelle Scully, SFCC Phi Theta Kappa adviser Andrew Lovato, Ph.D.
For more than 35 years, Santa Fe Community College has been the gateway to success for individuals and the community by providing affordable, high quality educational programs that serve the social, cultural, technological, and economic needs of a diverse community. SFCC is a designated Best for Vets and Military Friendly school. The college serves more than 12,000 students per year in its credit, noncredit and adult programs. For further information, visit sfcc.edu or call 505-428-1000. Follow us: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn.
