Student Brody O'Connor Named One of Top 20 Community College Students in the Nation by Phi Theta Kappa

April 13, 2016

Hudson Valley Community College Business Administration student Brody O'Connor was recognized by Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) as a member of the All-USA Community College Academic Team at a special national ceremony in Chicago on Tuesday, April 12. 

The All-USA Community College Academic Team, which is highlighted in a special supplement in Tuesday's USA Today, recognizes an outstanding group of 20 two-year college students from across the country who display an outstanding combination of academic achievement and community service. 

Phi Theta Kappa is the largest honor society in higher education, serving nearly 1,300 colleges in all 50 states and nine countries. 

O'Connor, of Ballston Spa, is the secretary for the Student Senate, student representative on the college's Board of Trustees, president of the Entrepreneurs Club and a member of the Investment Club. O'Connor was a delegate to the 2015 SUNY Student Assembly and serves as a peer tutor for accounting, economics and business law in the college's Learning Assistance Center. He is also involved in several volunteer activities in his community, including work as an AARP tax aide, helping low income families prepare their tax returns. He will graduate this spring. 

"To be considered one of the top 20 community college students in the entire country is quite an honor and it reflects Brody's commitment to hard work in the classroom and active participation in the community," said President Drew Matonak, who accompanied Brody to the recognition ceremony that was part of the annual American Association of Community Colleges conference in Chicago. "We are very proud of this outstanding young man and the things he's been able to accomplish on and off campus."

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Founded in 1953, Hudson Valley Community College offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs in four schools: Business; Engineering and Industrial Technologies; Health Science; and Liberal Arts and Sciences; and an Educational Opportunity Center for academic and career training. One of 30 community colleges in the State University of New York system, it has an enrollment of nearly 12,000 students, and is known as a leader in distance learning initiatives and workforce training. Hudson Valley has more than 75,000 alumni.