HIGHLAND, Kan. – Alpha Zeta Gamma, Highland Community College's chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, has named Zachary Polubinski (Plainfield, Illinois) and Ava Weishaar (Valley Falls, Kansas) to the All-Kansas Academic Team for 2025.

Polubinski and Weishaar will be honored in Topeka April 11, 2025. New Highland Community College President Dr. Vincent Bowhay will have the honor of presenting the award to Highland’s two recipients. Kansas is one of 39 states participating in the All-State Academic Team program.

The state academic teams are a division of the All-USA Community College Academic Team. The All-USA Academic Team recognizes academic achievement, leadership, and community service among the top community college students. The Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society (PTK), the Kansas Association of Community College Trustees (KACCT), and the presidents of the state's community colleges sponsor the All-Kansas Academic Team. Students were nominated by their respective college and are now eligible for the All-USA Academic Team.

Zachary Polubinski is pursuing an associate degree from Highland Community College. At HCC he is a member of the baseball team and Phi Theta Kappa. After Highland he plans to transfer to McKendree University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the business and marketing field.

Ava Weishaar is pursuing an associate degree from Highland. At Highland she is a tutor and member of Phi Theta Kappa. After HCC she plans to transfer to earn a bachelor’s in graphic design and also earn a certification to be a nail technician.

Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) is the national honor society of the two-year college. Students must have at least a 3.5 GPA or better to be accepted to the organization. The purpose of Phi Theta Kappa is the promotion of scholarship, the development of leadership and service and the cultivation of fellowship among qualified students. For more information about Phi Theta Kappa, visit www.ptk.org.

For more information about the Alpha Zeta Gamma Chapter at Highland, contact HCC PTK advisors Dr. Amy C. Foley at afoley@highlandcc.edu or Jamie L. Van Gieson, Ph.D at jvangieson@highlandcc.edu.