Newtown Square Mom Makes All-Pennsylvania Academic Team

MEDIA– recently announced a local Newtown Square resident has been selected as one of only two students from Delaware County Community College to participate in the All-Pennsylvania Community College Academic Team.

All-PA honor student Lynda Lichti, of Newtown Square, shares the spotlight with Nicole Phillip, of Media, on the academic team. The All-PA students were honored at the Pennsylvania Commission for Community College’s dinner earlier this month.

The All-PA program recognizes the top community college students in the state. Students are eligible for a two-year scholarship to attend any of the 14 Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education universities.

“We are honored to have two students recognized not only for their academic success, but their contributions to the community,” said Jerome S. Parker, president of Delaware County Community College, in a press release. “Nichole and Lynda represent what students can achieve at the college when they are ambitious, industrious, goal-oriented and community-minded.”

Philipp and Lichti are both members of the college’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), an international honor society that is the largest honor society in American higher education with 1,280 chapters on two-year and community college campuses. Philipp is president and has served as treasurer of the local PTK chapter. Lichti is secretary and has served on the public relations committee of the local PTK chapter.

Both women also are active in the College’s Student Government Association. Philipp is president and has served as treasurer. Lichti is secretary and is the student representative on the Academic Affairs Committee.

Philipp, 21, is scheduled to graduate in May with an Associate Degree in Science. She is considering transferring to Villanova, Widener or Drexel universities, where she plans to major in biochemical engineering. She hopes to become a biochemical engineer and find a cure for cancer.

While at Delaware County Community College, she has received many awards including a 2011 Engineering Department award, a PTK award for holding a 3.8 grade point average or higher while dedicating more than 20 hours of service to a PTK chapter, and a $1,000 College Foundation Natural Science Scholarship.

Philipp is active in her community as well. She recently helped to raise $5,000 for the Delco Cruisers Car Club’s “Salute the Troops” Car Show. She also has tutored high school students in math and science, and she has served as an assistant minister at her local church.

Lichti, 42, a mother of three teenagers who live at home and a 24-year-old son who lives on his own, will celebrate her 43rd birthday one week before graduating on May 17 with an Associate Degree in Behavioral Science and psychology.

She plans to transfer to West Chester University to pursue a Master’s Degree in psychology. Her career goal is to work in higher education as a guidance counselor or career counselor. Lichti also is active in her community. She volunteers for the Adopt-A-Highway program, food drives and toy drives. She also organizes various fundraising events for her children’s sports and activities.

PTK the All-State Community College Academic Team recognition. Students nominated to the national All-USA Community College Academic Team/Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team are automatically named to the All-State Community College Academic Teams.

Students who are considered for the program must apply and must be eligible with the following: enrollment at a community college, a minimum 3.5 grade point average, completion of a minimum of 36 college-level credits, and being on track to receive an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree.

This press release was provided by Delaware County Community College.