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Science Major One of Only 20 Students In the Country Named to All-USA Academic Team

Parmesh Thakoordial smiling, holding awards for All-USA Academic Team and New Century Transfer Pathway Scholarship

4/04/2023

Parmesh Thakoordial, who is a senior at Schenectady High School and a Science major at SUNY Schenectady through the Schenectady Smart Transfer Early College High School program, has been named to the prestigious All-USA Academic Team, comprised of the nation’s top community college students. He is one of only 20 college students from across the country named to the All-USA Academic Team, chosen from among more than 2,400 students nominated for this recognition, and he is the only student from New York state on the team. Parmesh and the other team members were selected based on their intellectual rigor, academic achievement, leadership, and civic growth, and for extending their educational experiences to better themselves, their colleges, and their surrounding communities.  

As a team member, Parmesh received a $5,000 scholarship and a special medallion. He was recognized when the All-USA Academic Team was officially introduced during the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) Annual Convention on April 3, 2023, in Denver, Colo.

Parmesh Thakoordial on stage, accepting award with College officials and PTK representative

Parmesh Thakoordial during the American Association of Community Colleges Annual Convention in Denver, Colo., with Dr. Dean McCurdy, Provost of Ivy Tech Community College (Indiana), Dr. David Clickner, SUNY Schenectady Vice President for Strategic Initiatives & Planning and Academic Affairs, and Dr. Monica Marlowe, Executive Director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation.

Parmesh will graduate from SUNY Schenectady in May, the same time that he will earn his high school diploma from Schenectady High School. He plans to transfer for his bachelor’s degree in Biology, and then enter medical school to become a doctor. Parmesh began taking courses at SUNY Schenectady in ninth grade through the Schenectady Smart Transfer Early College High School program, and has been taking all of his courses at the College for the past two years. He maintains an impressive 3.98 GPA, has been named to the President’s List, and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society. A first-generation college student, Parmesh is in the Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) and has been the lead student researcher on the student team that will be presenting their findings at an upcoming statewide CSTEP conference, sharing the original scientific research the group is conducting on invasive worm species at Vale Park in Schenectady.

Parmesh Thakoordial looking at microscrope and Dr. Lorena Harris, seated at table in Biotech Lab

With Dr. Lorena Harris, Director of CSTEP, in the College’s Biotechnology Laboratory and Research Facility

Parmesh is also a student leader as Vice President of the Student Government Association. In addition, he already has firsthand experience in the world of emergency medicine as a volunteer in the Emergency Department in Ellis Hospital, where he assists with moving patients, helping patients check in, and assisting physicians and nurses with supplies. He is an American Red Cross Blood Drive Donor Ambassador, helping to facilitate blood drives in the Capital Region since 2019. He lives in Schenectady with his parents Hemant and Ormella and younger brothers Randy and Mark. 

All-USA Team on stage

The All-USA program is widely recognized as the most prestigious academic honor for students attending associate degree-granting institutions. Students are nominated by their respective colleges. The 2023 All-USA Academic Team is sponsored by education technology provider Cengage, with additional support from Phi Theta Kappa and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).

The members of the 2023 All-USA Academic Team are:

  • Carlen Arevalo, Miami Dade College (FL)
  • Brendan Batchelder, Paris Junior College (TX)
  • Albino Canales, III, Western Nebraska Community College (NE)
  • David Cassidy, Coconino Community College (AZ)
  • Jordan Chapin, Northeast Texas Community College (TX)
  • Tatiana Cherry, Calhoun Community College (AL)
  • Sarah Crespo, Ivy Tech Community College (IN)
  • Juan Dills, Rose State College (OK)
  • An Ha, Mt. San Antonio College (CA)
  • James Keller, Northeast Alabama Community College (AL)
  • Zachariah Knapp, Phoenix College (AZ)
  • Maren Larsen, Northeast Iowa Community College (IA)
  • Carine Medellus, Union College (NJ)
  • Kira Okuma, Pima Community College (AZ)
  • Bhavi Pandya, Pellissippi State Community College (TN)
  • Jacqueline Pecker, Palm Beach State College, Boca Raton Campus (FL)
  • Kelly Pilotte, NHTI – Concord’s Community College (NH)
  • Malachi Steward, University of Arkansas – Pulaski Tech (AR)
  • Holly Stiebel, Santa Monica College (CA)
  • Parmesh Thakoordial, SUNY Schenectady County Community College (NY)

Parmesh Thakoordial on stage with scholarship representatives
With Jane Hale Hopkins, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, and Dr. Monica Marlowe, Executive Director of the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation.

2022 New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar
Parmesh Thakoordial has also been named as a 2023 New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar and will receive a $2,250 scholarship. New Century Transfer Pathway Scholars are selected based on their academic accomplishments, leadership, activities, and how they extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. More than 2,400 students were nominated from college campuses across the country. Only one New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar, the student receiving the highest application score, is selected from each state. Students nominated for the Transfer Pathway are planning to transfer to a four-year college after graduation. The program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Foundation and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, with additional support provided by the American Association of Community Colleges and Phi Theta Kappa.

All-New York Academic Team
Parmesh was named to the First Team of the All-New York Academic Team. Members of the All-New York Academic Team are recognized for their academic achievements, leadership accomplishments, and engagement in community service. He will be recognized during the USA Today Phi Theta Kappa All-New York Academic Awards on April 24, 2023, at the Albany Capital Center.

“We are extremely proud of Parmesh and everything he has accomplished while at SUNY Schenectady,” said Dr. Steady Moono, College President. “He is an exceptional scholar and it is so impressive that he has achieved all of this not only as a SUNY Schenectady student, but as a student at Schenectady High School also. I join with all of his professors, mentors, family members, and staff from the Schenectady Smart Transfer Early College High School program and Schenectady High School in applauding Parmesh on these national and statewide honors, as we all wish him the very best success in the future.”