Brenda Perez and Arsenija Zlaticanin will be honored at the All-Arizona Academic Luncheon on March 9, 2017. They will also each receive a scholarship that covers tuition at any of Arizona’s three state universities.
Both students are members of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, the world’s largest honor society for two-year college students.
Perez, an immigrant from Mexico, came to GateWay to pursue her nursing degree.
In the fall, she plans to either transfer to Arizona State University or enroll in the Maricopa Community College concurrent nursing program to complete her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
The scholarship will help her work toward her childhood dream of becoming a doctor.
“It’s a huge deal to me,” she said. “My parents, they never really had an education growing up. They made so many sacrifices to get me to where I am today.”
Zlaticanin, an international student from Montenegro, is extremely passionate about helping the community and wants to eventually start her own nonprofit organization. For now, she is studying business and plans finish her bachelor’s degree in business administration before going to obtain a master’s degree.
Zlaticanin first came to America in 2014 as a high school student in a foreign exchange program. She fell in love with the country, and although she misses home and her family, she decided to return to the U.S. for higher education.
She followed her sister to Phoenix, and enrolled at GateWay to save money before transferring to Arizona State University. She hopes to transfer to ASU’s W. P. Carey School of Business next fall.
While at GateWay, she involved herself in multiple student organizations, donating her time and dedication to improving her surrounding community.
“The reason why I’m doing my best and working hard is for my future but also for the future of my family,” she said. “I’m so thankful for such amazing and caring parents who give everything they have to make me happy and give me the opportunity to study overseas and be successful.”
Dr. Joseph Swaba, communication faculty and Phi Theta Kappa advisor, said the students are selected based on their engagement on campus, leadership qualities, academic excellence and letters of recommendation.
“It’s affirmation that their hard work and achievements have paid off,” he said.
The All-Arizona Academic nominations are given to two students at each community college in Arizona. The program is presented by the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and is open to all college students. Eligibility requirements include having a minimum 3.5 GPA and working toward an associate or bachelor’s degree.