Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is proud to announce that ten outstanding students have been named to the 2025 All-Mississippi Academic Team, an honor recognizing academic excellence and leadership among community and junior college students in the state. The program is coordinated by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (PTK), the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges, and the Mississippi Community College Board.

The All-Mississippi Academic Team recognizes students in two categories: All-Mississippi Academic Team Scholars and All-Mississippi Workforce Scholars. In addition, two Jackson County Campus students received highest honors in the academic team.  Ciara Ano was named to the Coca-Cola Academic Team as a Gold Scholar and Allison Richards was named New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar.

2025 ALL-MISSISSIPPI ACADEMIC TEAM HONOREES 

New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar

• Allison Richards, Jackson County Campus – Animal Science/Pre-Veterinary Major

Richards earned top honors in Mississippi as part of the All-USA Academic Team competition, receiving the highest score in the state. She serves as the Executive President of the Student Government Association (SGA), Vice President of the Reflections Team, and a Phi Theta Kappa officer. She is also an active member of the Campus Activities Board.

All-Mississippi Academic Team Scholars

• Ciara Ano, Jackson County Campus – Interior Design Major
  • Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar
  • PTK Communications and Public Relations Officer
  • Vice President of the JC Hispanic American Club
  • Historian for the Student Government Association
  • Honors College Member

• Cheryl Lawrence, Perkinston Campus – Food Science Major
  • Honors College and PTK President
  • Recipient of the PTK & Academic Transfer Scholarship

• Madison Hunt, George County Center – BSN Nursing Major
  • Student Government Association Historian
  • PTK Member and Student Worker
  • Recipient of a Transfer Merit Scholarship

• Jaida Strahan, George County Center – Interior Design Major
  • PTK Communications and Public Relations Officer
  • Vice President of the JC Hispanic American Club
  • Historian for the Student Government Association
  • Honors College Member

• Vash Ho, Harrison County Campus – Biological Biomedical Sciences Major
  • PTK Member and Hospice Volunteer
  • Recipient of the Excelerate in STEM Scholarship, Honors College Scholarship, & Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant

• Carmella Boyd, Harrison County Campus – Chemistry Pre-Med Major
  • Phi Theta Kappa Omicron Alpha Public Relations Officer
  • President of the Concurrent Enrollment Leadership Organization
  • Sophomore Representative of SGA
  • Active in CAB, BSU, National Honor Society, and Marine Corps JROTC

• David Ruiz Ospina, Perkinston Campus – Marketing and Communication Strategy Major
  • Captain of the MGCCC Soccer Team
  • Honors College and PTK Member

All-Mississippi Workforce Scholars

• April Novascone, Jackson County Campus – Business Management Technology Major
  • PTK and Hispanic American Club Member
  • Recipient of Hancock Whitney Scholarship & MGCCC Faculty and Staff Association Scholarship

• Thomas Ferguson, Jackson County Campus – Applied Science and Technology Major
  • Certified in Unmanned Maritime Systems Technology & Process Operations
  • Mr. Jackson County, Sophomore Class President, PTK Vice President
  • Recipient of multiple scholarships, including the NASA Space Grant & Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship