Taina Rodriguez & Ethan Kilduff Receive Full-Rides to ASU
AVONDALE, ARIZONA, March 03 – Two Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) students have been named to the All-Arizona Academic Team. Taina Rodriguez and Ethan Kilduff are among 25 Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) honor students from Maricopa Community Colleges who were named to this year’s team.
Team members receive the All-Arizona Scholarship, which provides two students from each Arizona College with full-tuition waivers to an in-state college or university of their choice. Both Taina and Ethan have chosen to attend Arizona State University (ASU).
Taina, who is an active member of PTK, a Presidential Scholar in the Honors Program, and a lead for the Animal Ambassador program, plans to transfer to ASU’s College of Integrative Sciences and Arts to pursue a bachelor’s in pre-veterinary science. Her career goal is to be an ophthalmologist veterinarian while serving in the Army.
“My passion for animals and people has led me to my current position as a Veterinary Technician Assistant at an animal emergency hospital,” she said.
Ethan plans to transfer to the College of Health Solutions at ASU to complete his Bachelor of Science in kinesiology degree. Following his undergraduate studies, he intends to complete a doctorate in physical therapy, ultimately aiming for his career goal of becoming a physical therapist. Ethan is a PTK Honors in Action (HIA) officer and an ACE Program Success Coach.
“I get to mentor incredible students from high schools throughout the Valley,” he said.
Students named to the All-Arizona Academic Team will be honored during the 2021 All-Arizona Academic Recognition Ceremony held virtually on March 4.
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Estrella Mountain Community College is one of the ten colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District, one of the largest community college districts in the nation. EMCC offers academic courses leading to associate degrees, university transfer, certificates, and short-term job training to more than 14,000 students annually. The flagship campus is located on Thomas and Dysart roads in Avondale. Classes are also offered online and at the EMCC @ West-MEC Southwest Campus at 500 N. Verrado Way, Buckeye.