Outstanding Students of 2025
All Washington Scholars
Charle Schuelke
Kendra “Krisy” Rachal
Every year, each of Washington’s 34 community and technical colleges selects students to be celebrated at the All-Washington event in Olympia. Learn more about TCC’s 2025 All-Washington Scholars.
Ellen Pinto Outstanding Students of the Year
Charles Schuelke, Ellen Pinto Outstanding Student of the Year
Fatimeh Redford, Ellen Pinto Honoree
Alex Lee Rogers, Ellen Pinto Honoree
Named for a former TCC trustee and community activist, the Ellen Pinto Outstanding Student of the Year award provides annual recognition for three students who display both civic and academic excellence. Learn more about TCC’s Ellen Pinto Outstanding Students of the Year for 2025.
President’s Medal Recipients
Peter Nganga
Peter Nganga came to the United States from Kenya in 2022. While working as a caregiver in a long-term care facility, he decided to give nursing school a try. He enrolled at TCC and completed the pre-nursing program while working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at St. Claire Hospital. He starts the Nursing program at WSU’s Tri-Cities campus in the fall.
“I’ve got a lot of support for everyone, and it’s been a good place for me,” Nganga said. “I’ve learned a lot in the last two years, and the support was affirming.”
Hayden Nguyen
Hayden Nguyen, a Running Start student from Mount Tahoma High school, will transfer into the University of Washington’s biochemistry program in the fall. He plans to work in the field for a while before pursuing an advanced degree. At TCC, Nguyen participated in the MESA program, which provides resources for students going into math and science fields, and played the flute in the TCC Symphonic Band.
“I have a few favorite classes here at TCC, but one of them is my chemistry class. I’m taking Organic Chemistry with Jeff Engle and he’s a really great professor. He really helped me figure out what I wanted to do with my future and provided a lot of academic advising,” Nguyen said.
Departmental Awards
Academic Awards
Creative Arts, Literature, and Communication Pathway
Communication Studies | Deita McChristian | Lance Sims | Michael Pena
English for Academic Purposes | Yuxi “Vicky” Huang
Stars Learning Community | Shalom Bisesto
Music | Carson McKee
Art | Brigitta Smith | Kristi Picio
World Language | Jakob Adams
Writing Studies | Charlie Naddeo
Education, Social and Behavioral Sciences Pathway
Anthropology | Alexander Manning | Sunny Beamer
Sociology | Willie Abercrumbie
Healthcare Pathway Katherine Pannell | Micka Austin
Business, Paralegal and Technology Pathway
Accounting AAS | Ami Hollingsworth
Advanced Networking and Data Security BAS | Brian O’Leary
Applied Management BAS | Danielle Hiraki
Business AAS | Alvin Monaco
Business DTA AA | Garrett Woods
Health Information Management BAS | Geoff Cole
Health Information Technology AAS | Mele Kavaefiafi
Networking and Cyber Security AAS | Anthony Llewellyn
Paralegal AAS | Taylor Chef
Paralegal Pro Certificate | Lauren Hoestra
Science, Engineering, and Mathematics Pathway
Biology | Hayden Nguyen | Rachel Lewis
Chemistry | Anne Maina
Astronomy & Physics | Branden Cantrell | Cesar Salazar Gonzalez
Mathematics | LaCrystal Wooten-Wisse
Computer Science | Brandon Myers | Michael Bennett
Service Awards
Tacoma Community College Foundation | Tysheka Abraham
Institutional Effectiveness | Loretta Newcomer
International Programs | Cate Villanueva | Eain Chan “Cecilia” Myae | Joseph Muraya
Fresh Start | Kendra Krisy Rachal
Workforce Education | Alex Lee Rogers | Liza Sharafutdinova
Writing & Tutoring Center | Anthony Riewald | Apolito Truong | Janelys Cantun
Science, Engineering & Math Tutoring Center (SEMTC) | Josiah Smithers | Nathan Dudley
Course Based Learning Assistance | Charlie Naddeo | Fidela Celestine
Enrollment Services | Sean Brown
MESA | Diandra Rodriguez | Cesar Salazar Gonzalez
Center for Advocacy and Cultural Support | Charles Schuelke | Lance Sims
Athletes of the Year | Declan Curran | Ginikachukwu Rex-Elem | Kennedy Maricle-Conroy | KeVaughn Harvey | Logan Sheppard | Aleigha Woodland
Business Education Center (BEC) | Ariel “Arie” Humphries | Tammy Brumley
Access Services | Lauren Mascaro
Advising | Abby Hinds
Clubs | Anique Zimmer | Cesar Salazar Gonzalez
Office of Student Engagement | Audi Ronaldi | Daniella Birungi | Eloah Mbabazi | Evan Banal | Geonte Hopson | Jayna Pedro | Josie Crosbie | Kendra Krisy Rachal | Marvan Culannay | Randy Phillips | Tamara Lukudu | Terrell Stalworth | Toni Romo
Conference Services | Andrew Larson | Fatou Lowe | Griffin Walker | Mugabi Mirimo | Nate Hackett | Trinity Sirpless
Events and Engagement | Lance Le | Morgana Jones | Oryan Davis