For Immediate Release
March 19, 2025

Suffolk County Community College Student Nina Kezys Named to All-USA Academic Team and Selected as State’s New Century Transfer Scholar

Suffolk County Community College student Nina Kezys of East Northport, has been named to the All-USA Academic Team and is New York State’s New Century Transfer Scholar. For a hi-res image, visit: https://photos.app.goo.gl/rCsPd6n2SoSd6UmK6

Kezys Recognized for Academic Excellence, Leadership, and Community Engagement

Suffolk County Community College announced today that Nina Kezys, a psychology major from East Northport, has been selected as one of 20 college students nationwide named to the prestigious 2025 All-USA Academic Team and has also been chosen as New York’s 2025 New Century Transfer Scholar. Ms. Kezys was chosen from among more than 2,000 nominees for each award. She will earn a $5,000 scholarship for the All-USA Academic Team honor, and an additional $2,250 scholarship as a New Century Transfer Scholar.

These awards recognize Ms. Kezys’s outstanding academic achievements, leadership, and commitment to community service. Maintaining a 4.0 GPA and earning Dean’s List recognition for the past two semesters, she has demonstrated excellence both inside and outside the classroom. As Vice President of the Rotaract Community Service Club and Vice President of Membership for the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honor Society, she has contributed significantly to the college community. Additionally, Kezys plays on the Women’s Soccer Team, serves as a Peer Mentor overseeing the Michael J. Grant Campus Food Pantry, and actively participates in the campus Honors and Psychology clubs.

Ms. Kezys will receive her awards during the American Association of Community Colleges’ (AACC) annual national convention taking place in Nashville in April.

Dr. Edward Bonahue, President of Suffolk County Community College, praised Kezys’s accomplishments, stating, "Nina’s dedication to academic excellence, leadership, and service embodies the very best of Suffolk County Community College. Her commitment to making a difference on campus is truly inspiring. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and know she will continue to make a lasting impact everywhere she goes."

The All-USA Academic Team is among the nation’s premier academic honors for students pursuing an associate degree. Nominees must be able to demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, leadership, and community engagement. Sponsored by the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) national honor society, the program celebrates students who leverage their community college experience to better themselves, improve their schools, and positively impact their communities.

The New Century Transfer Scholar, is an honor given to only one student from each state. The program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Foundation and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, with support from Phi Theta Kappa, and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).

About Suffolk County Community College

Suffolk County Community College is the largest, most comprehensive community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, enrolling more than 21,000 students in over 100 degree and certificate programs. With over 145,000 alumni, Suffolk County Community College is dedicated to meeting the demands of regional employers. The college has built an extensive track record of successfully training and educating its students through pathways from high school, to college, and into careers.

About The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation celebrates and empowers visionary leaders who are refreshing the world. Supporting more than 1,400 exceptional college students each year, it awards $3.55 million in scholarships annually through three nationally recognized programs. Learn more at coca-colascholarsfoundation.org.

About Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa is the first honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 4.4 million members and nearly 1,250 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 220,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.