Cleveland State Names Presidential Honors Scholars

Cleveland State Community College has named its second class of Presidential Honors Scholarships.  

The Presidential Honors Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship for the top high school graduates who attend CSCC. Students must be accepted into the CSCC Honors Program and will also participate in a Presidential Leadership Program. The Presidential Honors Scholarship is designed to assist students with books and other educational expenses, such as non-mandatory fees. 

The minimum requirements include: 

3.5 High School GPA or 24 minimum ACT score (or comparable SAT scores)
Must enroll in at least 15 credit hours each semester
Must be accepted into the Honors Program. 

There were 10 students selected as Presidential Scholars at Cleveland State. The students and their high schools they attended are as follows: 

Christian Academy of Knoxville
Emily Phillips 

Cross Creek Christian School
Seth Bush 

Homelife Academy
Joseph Owens 

McMinn County High School
Sarah Dickey 

Sweetwater High School
Sierra Cook 

Walker Valley High School
Jasmine Peace
Clay Pankey
Matt Pankey
Kaitlyn Taylor 

Yazoo County High School
Brianna Riley  

“These are some of the brightest students in our area,” stated Kimberly Wills, Financial Aid / Scholarship ounselor. “Their recommendations were great. Many have been through our dual enrollment program, and our recruiters speak well of them. I’m thrilled that they chose Cleveland State and that we can continue to challenge them academically with our Honors program and help further develop their leadership skills. 

“This is an amazing opportunity not just for their education, but also for their future. With Tennessee Promise and the Presidential Honors Scholarship, these students can come to college with no tuition or book expenses, so they won’t need to graduate with debt that affects the next phase of their life.”  

Ms. Phillips is a graduate of Christian Academy of Knoxville. During her high school years, she was involved in choir, hand bell choir, soccer, basketball, volleyball and gymnastics. She has volunteered at Sweetwater Primary, Head Start, Kiwanis Club and United Way. During the past year, Ms. Phillips has been dually enrolled at CSCC, where she was secretary of Phi Theta Kappa and Student Senate and is a member of the CSCC Chamber Choir and Student Ambassadors. Ms. Phillips plans to attend Maryville College and major in Physical Therapy.  

"I love a lot of things about Cleveland State,” said Ms. Phillips. “Everyone has been so nice and welcoming over the past year.” 

Mr. Bush is a graduate of Cross Creek Christian School. He is involved in several community projects including Operation Christmas Child and Bowater’s Annual Food Drive. He is a member of East Athens Baptist Church where he is involved in the youth group, Vacation Bible School and Ministry Tools. He is also a member of the Teen Advisory Group at E.G. Fisher Library. Mr. Bush has also been a dual enrollment student at CSCC and plans to attend East Tennessee State University and major in Computer Science. 

“I really like the classes at CSCC,” said Mr. Bush. “It is definitely different than being home-schooled, but I like that it is close to home and how hands-on the classes have been so far.” 

Mr. Owens is a graduate of Homelife Academy and chose CSCC because it was a local, small campus. He is an Eagle Scout and heavily involved in community service through this program. He was a dual enrollment student at CSCC and plans to transfer to Georgia Tech University to major in Electrical Engineering. 

“I have enjoyed my time at CSCC," said Mr. Owens. “Everyone has been easy to get to know.” 

Ms. Dickey is a graduate of McMinn County High School where she was involved in the Band, National Honor Society, Secretary of Mu Alpha Theta and Science Club: Big Kids Do Science. She is an active member of Central Baptist Church where she is involved in the Church Youth Group, mission trips, Vacation Bible School and volunteers at Camp Cherokee. 

“I chose Cleveland State because I thought it was a good starting point for me,” said Ms. Dickey. “I’m still undecided on a major, but I can use the Tennessee Promise, so it just made sense.” 

Ms. Cook is a graduate of Sweetwater High School where she was involved in soccer, basketball, track, Student Council, Student Government Association, Beta Club, Spanish Honors and History Club. Ms. Cook plans to attend Austin Peay State University and major in Dentistry. 

“I chose CSCC so that I could take advantage of the Tennessee Promise,” said Ms. Cook. “I thought the dual enrollment program here was awesome. To get college credit while still enrolled in high school was great.” 

Ms. Dillon is a graduate of Walker Valley High School where she is involved in the recycling program and the Mustang Mentors, a program where upperclassmen teach 30 minute lesson plans to freshmen students and offer peer advice. They also give tours of Walker Valley to  incoming freshmen. She is also involved in the Art Club, the National Science Honor Society, Circle of Champions, National English Honor Society and is the Walker Valley Ambassador for the Bradley County Young Democrats.  Ms. Dillon plans to double major in Studio Art and Business Management at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. 

“I'm extremely excited to be a part of the honors college at CSCC,” said Ms. Dillon. “At a Tennessee promise meeting, I heard a brief mention of the honors program, and it excited me. I'm excited to be able to challenge myself and further my education at a reasonable price.” 

Clay Pankey is a graduate of Walker Valley High School where he was involved in TSA, National Technical Honor Society, Beta Club, Circle of Champions, wrestling and served as an intern with Cormetech. He is a member of North Cleveland Baptist Church and volunteers at many community events such as the CSCC Multicultural Fair, CSCC Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss event and Ocoee Outreach.  Mr. Pankey was a dual enrollment student at CSCC. He plans to major in Electrical Engineering, but is still undecided where he will transfer after CSCC.  

“Cleveland State feels more like home to me,” said Mr. Pankey. “It is definitely a good transition before I transfer to a four-year school and have to live on my own.” 

Matt Pankey is a graduate of Walker Valley High School where he was involved in HOSA, Skills USA, Circle of Champions and wrestling. He is a member of North Cleveland Baptist Church and volunteered with CSCC’s Multicultural Fair and Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss events. He was also a dual enrollment student at CSCC. He plans to major in Athletic Training, but is still undecided where he will transfer after CSCC. 

“I’m looking forward to a new place, a new beginning, a new start,” said Mr. Pankey. “CSCC was a good decision for me because of the Tennessee Promise.” 

Ms. Taylor is a graduate of Walker Valley High School where she was involved in Beta Club, Circle of Champions and the Honors program. She volunteers with the Camelot Care Center and serves as a Supplemental Instruction Tutor for students who are having trouble with Comp I. She was also a dual enrollment student at CSCC. Taylor plans to transfer to UTC where she will major in Psychology. 

“I didn’t want to go too far away to school,” said Ms. Taylor. “I wanted to get my feet wet and CSCC seemed like a good place to do that. I found out CSCC had an honor’s program and I was excited to be a part of it. The teachers have been so supportive and I didn’t expect a community college to have such a challenging honors program, but it definitely is.” 

Ms. Riley is a graduate of Yazoo County High School where she was involved in the Drama Club, Environmental Club and Prom and Homecoming Committees. She was also involved in the Belzoni Animal Rescue Kennel (B.A.R.K.) Sing at the Summit, Drama Club Leader and the Chestuee Workshop Center. Ms. Riley plans to major in Music and wants to transfer to Middle Tennessee State University or Belmont University.  

“I chose CSCC because I thought the Music Department was amazing,” said Ms. Riley. “I’m looking forward to that.”  

For more information on scholarships at Cleveland State Community College, visit the website at www.clevelandstatecc.edu.