CCAC student from Penn Hills named to All-USA Academic Team

Community College of Allegheny County student Kerry Katz of Penn Hills is one of 20 students nationwide named to the All-USA Academic Team.

The All-USA academic honor is for students attending associate degree-granting institutions. Each college can nominate two students for demonstrating academic achievement, leadership and civic growth.

Katz will receive a $5,000 scholarship.

Katz, 29, has led several successful projects, including a pre-election Q&A with representatives from the Allegheny County Board of Elections. The goal, she said, was to show students and faculty members how voting procedures were being adapted in the era of covid-19.

“We really felt that this was something that was important for this election with everything that had been going on,” said Katz. “With the news that was surrounding the election and people questioning the legitimacy of it, we wanted to make sure that students were aware of what changes were taking place, and to reassure them that their vote would be counted and their vote does matter.”

Katz is president of the Phi Theta Kappa’s Alpha Mu Theta Chapter.

Outside of school, Katz volunteers as a docent at the National Aviary and at Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh.

Katz, who will also be presented with a commemorative medallion, will be recognized during the American Association of Community Colleges virtual convention in May.

“I was so grateful to win the award,” she said. “My experience at CCAC, since I returned to school in 2019, has just been absolutely amazing. It’s really helped me to believe in myself and make me feel that I can make a positive contribution to the world.”

Katz will graduate with a Mathematics and Science University Parallel associate degree in May. She plans to transfer to California University of Pennsylvania in the fall where she will enroll in the fisheries and wildlife biology program.

She plans to go on to earn a master’s degree, as well, and she is looking forward to beginning a career in conservation to contribute to habitat restoration and the protection of at-risk species.

“Kerry is one of the most sincere and hardworking students I have ever encountered,” said CCAC academic advisor Don Breitbarth. “In addition to her demonstrated commitment to scholarship and campus activities, Kerry is a genuinely compassionate and empathetic person.”