Lake Washington Technical College (LWTC) students Vani Rao and Wei Jiang were recently recognized as members of the 2010 All-Washington Academic Team at a ceremony in Olympia.
Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire presented team members with their medallions during a reception on March 25 at South Puget Sound Community College’s Student Union Building.
“Vani is an excellent student who demonstrates a mature, caring and positive attitude,” says Marti Garrels, coordinator of LWTC’s Medical Assisting program. “She is always prepared and helps other students understand the demands required in our classes. She has the potential to become a teacher.”
She emigrated from India two years ago and has immersed herself as a student and classroom leader. She’s been on the Dean’s List three times and on the President’s List once. She possesses the same can-do attitude at home, providing for her family and helping her daughters with their studies, before hitting the books herself.
Jang carries a 3.90 grade point average in General Studies, preparing for a career in International Finance. She’s been on the President’s List twice and on the Dean’s List three times. Wei serves as finance officer on the student government council, is part of LWTC’s budget committee, and is a math tutor and volunteers as part of the Phi Theta Kappa chapter and Club TRiO.
“I chose LWTC because it was perfect for what I wanted,” she says. “It’s affordable, has small classes, offers individual instruction and, most importantly, the instructors come from the field in which they teach.”
“Wei is an outgoing and intelligent leader willing to work with her team to ensure success,” adds Sheila Walton, Manager of Student Programs at LWTC. “She has grown as a leader and is an active and interested campus volunteer.”
The 2010 All-Washington Academic Team includes 63 students representing 33 community and technical colleges in Washington. The program honors academic high achievers, students who have demonstrated a commitment to success in the classroom and in the communities where they live. This recognition demonstrates the state’s commitment to scholarship and community service on the part of those attending the state’s public community and technical colleges. The Academic Team is sponsored by the Washington Association of Community and Technical Colleges, the Trustees Association of Community and Technical Colleges, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and Phi Theta Kappa, the International Honor Society of the Two-Year College. Scholarship sponsors include KeyBank of Washington, Northwest Education Loan Association, and The Washington State Employees Credit Union.
Rao carries a 3.86 grade point average in LWTC’s demanding Medical Assisting program, while juggling her studies with a home life that includes a husband and two daughters.
