All Arizona Academic Team Logo

By Angela Askey, Executive Director Public Relations and Marketing       

Six Central Arizona College (CAC) students have been selected to the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society All-Arizona Academic Team.

All-Arizona students demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and service, that extends beyond the classroom to benefit society. Students are nominated by their community college and submit their application to be considered for this prestigious award through the Phi Theta Kappa International Honorary organization. Phi Theta Kappa conducts three rounds of judging. The Arizona Board of Regents awards scholarships and tuition waivers to those selected for Arizona’s three state universities: Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University or the University of Arizona. Scholarships cover resident tuition for 10 consecutive undergraduate semesters or 60 credits (which ever the student meets first).

All-Arizona Academic Team Scholars were recognized during a virtual ceremony on March 4. CAC students include Cristal DeSantiago from the Aravaipa Campus, Jenna Bishop from the San Tan Campus, Kristi Hill and Rachelle Black from the Signal Peak Campus, and Liliana Flores and Wynonna Pulma from the Superstition Mountain Campus.

Cristal DeSantiago (Aravaipa Campus)

DeSantiago is a history major, attending classes at the Aravaipa Campus. She intends to transfer to Northern Arizona University, where her objective is to achieve a master’s degree in history. Cristal plans to use her degree to gain a position at a museum, preferably overseas. While attending CAC she has assisted at the Saddle Brooke Food Bank, catered for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Arizona and fostered dogs.

Jenna Bishop (San Tan Campus)

As a student at the San Tan Campus, Bishop is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and is on the President’s honor list. She plans to transfer to Northern Arizona University to earn her bachelor’s degree in hotel and restaurant management. Though she has many career goals, she ultimately hopes to run a hotel of her own where both her guests and coworkers can feel safe and appreciated.

Kristi Hill (Signal Peak Campus)

Hill plans to transfer to Northern Arizona University to complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and ultimately earn her Master of Science in Nursing. Her career goals are to eventually become a nurse educator and allocate the term “care” back into healthcare. She served as a front-line worker during the Covid-19 pandemic while attending classes. She is active in her community as a Sunday School children’s leader.

Rachelle Black (Signal Peak Campus)

Black is a Medical Laboratory Technician major and will be transferring to Arizona State University College of Health Solutions to obtain a BAS in Medical Laboratory Sciences. Her goal is to earn a Doctor of Medicine degree and work as a Clinical Geneticist to research and develop a cure for hereditary health conditions. She volunteers her time with the Rural MV elders COVID assist initiative, at Tse’bii’nidzisgai Elementary School, and at Monument Valley Community Health Center as a native language translator. Additionally, she is a National Society of Collegiate Scholars nominee and member.

Liliana Flores (Superstition Mountain Campus)

Flores is an art major and will transfer to Arizona State University to further develop her skills as an artist. Her career goal is to obtain the required degrees that will enable her to teach art. As a student she serves as Vice-President of College Project in Phi Theta Kappa. She helped create a food drive sponsored by PTK and represented the disabled community at the Pinal County Food Bank.

Wynonna Pulma (Superstition Mountain Campus)

Pulma will complete an Associate of Business and pursue a bachelor’s degree in accountancy at Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business. Her career goal is to be a Certified Public Accountant and/or a Certified Management Accountant. She is a Phi Theta Kappa officer and Bayanihan E-Konsulta project volunteer. In 2021, Pulma was named a 2021 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholar.