One plans to become an English professor. Another an industrial engineer. One got a chance to see dinosaur bones while doing an internship with the Bureau of Land Management; she plans to become an anthropologist. And, one is working toward a career as an elementary teacher and is participating in experiential learning at her son’s school.

On Thursday, Cochise College sophomores Jonathan Holmes, Irma Pena, Krista Richardson-Cline, and Laura Randolph received scholarships from the Arizona Board of Regents that will help them take a significant step toward achieving their goals. They are among 63 community college students from across the state who earned full tuition waivers to complete bachelor’s degrees at one of Arizona’s public universities.

The scholarships are part of the All-Arizona Academic Team program that aims to point the best and brightest community college students toward enrollment at Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona. Since the program began in the 1990s, it has awarded approximately 650 full-ride scholarships to Arizona community college students.

The students received the waivers and were honored Thursday, Feb. 21 at a special luncheon at Mesa Community College, where they joined with family, friends, and community college representatives to celebrate their achievements.

 “Cochise College is extremely proud of these students, said Dr. Karen Nicodemus, president. “They have distinguished themselves through their academic success, campus and community leadership, and commitment to excellence.”

Students nominated to the teams are evaluated for academic performance and service to the college and the community. They are reviewed first by business, civic, education and government leaders and judged a second time by representatives of various federal agencies and education associations. They are ranked and placed accordingly on first, second and third academic teams.

Holmes and Pena were named to the All-Arizona First Team, Randolph made the All-Arizona Second Team, and Richardson-Cline was named to the All-Arizona Third Team. In addition to the tuition waiver, each also received a cash scholarship from the Cochise College Foundation in the amount of $1,000 for first-team members, $750 for second-team members, and $500 for third-team members.

√ Holmes is a full-time student at the Sierra Vista Campus of Cochise College, where he is an English major and honors student who also serves as a peer tutor in the Writing Lab. He has served as historian for the campus chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honor society and is a member of the Literary Guild and Cineaste Circle (film club). He has taken on honors projects focused on his experience editing, directing and performing scenes from Shakespeare’s Richard III and performing the lead male role in The Playboy of the Western World. His goal is to transfer to Northern Arizona University, earn a doctorate and become a community college English instructor.

√ Pena is a full-time student at the Douglas Campus of Cochise College, where she is an industrial engineering major. She has received several scholarships and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa honor society. She has worked as a tutor at Loretto Catholic School and at the college. Pena is currently involved in an honors project to survey and educate middle school students about the topics of discrimination and prejudice. She plans to transfer to the University of Arizona.

√ Randolph is an elementary education student on the Douglas Campus, where she has worked as a library aide. She currently is enrolled in a co-op program that allows her to gain work experience for college credit at her son’s school in Double Adobe. She has received numerous scholarships and been named to the National Dean’s List. Randolph also participated on hiring committees for new English instructors and has volunteered as a youth soccer coach and school aid. She plans to transfer to the University of Arizona South.

√  Formerly a member of the U.S. Army, Richardson-Cline is a full-time student at the Sierra Vista Campus, where she has served as president and fundraising officer of Phi Theta Kappa. She received the Phi Theta Kappa Distinguished Officer Award in 2007 and also volunteered with the Student Government Association to give campus tours during new-student orientation. Richardson-Cline has volunteered with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and as a docent with the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum. She plans to transfer to Northern Arizona University.

In addition to the tuition waivers, honorees received a certificate and commemorative medallion. The No. 1-ranked Arizona student also is expected to receive a New Century Scholar award and a $2,000 stipend from the Coca-Cola Foundation. All-Arizona team honorees automatically compete for the All-USA Academic Teams, which will be announced in April in the USA TODAY newspaper. The national competition is co-sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa, the American Association of Community Colleges and USA TODAY.