All-Oregon Academic Team
The All-Oregon Academic Team Luncheon honors Oregon community college students selected to the All-Oregon Academic Team. This honor recognizes high-achieving two-year college students who demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and service that extends their education beyond the classroom to benefit society.
Phi Theta Kappa honor society, community college presidents and community college state associations sponsor the All-State Community College Academic Team ceremonies in 38 participating states. Students from the 38 participating states nominated to the All-USA Community College Academic Team are automatically named to the All-State Community College Academic Teams.
Students receive medallions and certificates at the state-level recognition ceremony (luncheon), along with scholarships. The purpose of the team is to promote statewide to legislators, and corporate, community and education leaders the quality instruction and outstanding students our community colleges produce.
2024 AOAT Luncheon
April 19, 2024
The AOAT Luncheon will be held April 19, 2024, at Chemeketa Community College Eola Event Center in Salem, Oregon. Presidents, community college board members, faculty/staff, students and legislators are encouraged to attend this wonderful event, which celebrates these remarkable students and their academic achievements.
Luncheon Time
Registration/Check-In Desk opens: 11:00 a.m.
Lunch/Program: 12:00-2:30 p.m.
Hotel Accommodations
OCCA does not have a block of rooms available at any hotels for AOAT. However, here are some local hotel recommendations. Be sure to ask for the government rate to get the best rate possible.
- Homan Hotel (Hilton) – downtown Salem
- The Grand Hotel – downtown Salem
- Comfort Suites – just outside of downtown Salem
Contact katie@occa17.com with questions.
2024 AOAT Students
Keynote Speaker: Representative Tawna Sanchez
OCCA is excited to announce that Representative Tawna Sanchez (D-Portland) will serve as the keynote speaker at the AOAT Luncheon!
Rep. Sanchez has spent her life working to strengthen our community. Rep. Sanchez is Shoshone-Bannock, Ute and Carrizo and grew up in Portland, and for many years has been a leader fighting for the rights of women, indigenous people, and the most vulnerable. As the Director of Family Services at the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA), Rep. Sanchez helped create the Early College Academy, expanded early childhood services, affordable housing development, elder support, and assisted in building a nationally recognized domestic violence wrap-around service model.
Over time, Rep. Sanchez has helped raise 18 foster kids, and has been active in state policy making – serving on the Family Services Review Commission and the Child Welfare Advisory Committee.
As a state representative, Rep. Sanchez remains committed to standing up for social justice on the side of the oppressed, and pushing to make our systems more equitable.
About the AOAT
Applicant/Nominee Criteria
The All-Oregon Academic Team seeks to honor outstanding students from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines to hold up as representative of all outstanding students enrolled in associate degree/certificate programs. Each college is limited to nominating a total of four students per campus (2 transferring and 2 entering the workforce).
Eligibility – Students Must:
- Be enrolled through December 2021 with a minimum of 9 credits
- Hold a minimum of a 3.5 cumulative grade point average
- Be on track to earn an associate (or bachelor’s degree) or enter the workforce by fall 2023
- Have earned a minimum of 54 college-level credit hours
- Can be either a full time or part time student
- Have a record free of suspension, probation or other serious disciplinary action
- Workforce Pathway applicants must be on track to earn an associate degree, career or technical certificate by fall 2023
The All Oregon Academic Team is a merit award based on student’s accomplishments while pursuing the associate degree. The scholarship process is designed for the student to tell their story in a coherent fashion, so judges know who the student is, what they are doing, and why they feel qualified to receive this recognition.
Judging criteria include academic excellence and intellectual rigor; leadership and service; and how the student has extended their education beyond the classroom to benefit society. Items to consider: the body of the student’s academic work; the student’s participation in honors programs; any awards, honors and recognitions for academic or leadership achievement; and service to the college and community. Students receiving the PTK All Oregon Academic Team are viewed as role models on their campus.
Leadership Considerations
All students write a 500-word essay describing their most significant endeavor since attending college where they applied their academic or intellectual skills learned during their college experience to the benefit of the college, community and society. Judges look for innovative, creative, original and lasting achievements or undertakings.
Academic Considerations
The program/scholarship is an ‘academic’ team, so the students’ academic record is important. Judges look at the overall academic record and how well the courses match the students career goals.
AOAT Timeline
July-December: Phi Theta Kappa student applications to Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Scholarship, New Century CTE Scholarship & Phi Theta Kappa All-USA Academic Team honors – Students should work with their PTK advisors to apply for these scholarships.
December-January: AOAT student nominations submitted by community colleges/PTK advisors
February: AOAT students notified; bios/photos due to OCCA for AOAT Luncheon
Early-March-April 5: AOAT Luncheon Registration Available – Students: Please contact your college’s President’s Office to learn more about how to register for the luncheon and your travel to the luncheon.
April 19: AOAT Luncheon, Chemeketa Community College Eola Center, Salem
Questions? Contact occa@occa17.com
Scholarships
AOAT student scholars are eligible to apply for a variety of scholarships through participating four-year institutions.
Contact occa@occa17.com with questions.
