Group of students standing together, smiling

Eighteen students at Mohawk Valley Community College were inducted into Spire, a national honor society that recognizes the unique achievements of adult learners and other nontraditional students, during a ceremony on Thursday, May 2, 2024.

Spire membership is offered to those who have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, are involved in at least three campus or community activities, are within 12 months of graduation, and have overcome significant obstacles to achieve academic success. MVCC invites eligible students to join Spire every Fall and Spring semester.

MVCC’s Spring 2024 Spire inductees are:

  • Timothy Allen of Deasnboro, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems
  • Wayne Carter of Queensbury, School Facilities Management
  • Athena Cossette of Verona, Nursing
  • Elma Dolic of Utica, Respiratory Care
  • Marina Giannandrea of Utica, Health Sciences
  • Awa Jatta of Utica, Health Sciences
  • Rutendo Mamina of Utica, Nursing
  • Oscar Miranda of Greenwich, Conn., School Facilities Management
  • Rasha Mohamed of Utica, Nursing
  • Kristyn Morris of Frankfort, Nursing
  • Soe Nwe of Utica, Health Sciences
  • Megan Padilla of Utica, Nursing
  • Pricila Raquel Lopez of New Hartford, Nursing
  • Lisandra Rosado of Utica, Nursing
  • Gabrielle Valeriano of New Hartford, Nursing
  • Megan Voss of Johnson City, Surgical Technology
  • Bethany Wisnewski of Vernon Center, Nursing
  • Matthew Woods of Johnstown, Respiratory Care

Marina Giannandrea and Lisandra Rosado also were selected as recipients of the Spire Honor Society Scholarship, which is awarded to current Spire members who demonstrate leadership, persistence, and future promise.

About Spire

Spire is a national honor society for nontraditional students enrolled in two-year academic programs who have overcome significant obstacles to achieve academic success. Its mission is to provide adult (defined as at least 25 or older) and nontraditional students (such as young single parents, those with disabilities, those who earn degrees while working full-time, and international students) with the same level of recognition outstanding traditional students receive. Today, over 70% of students enrolled in colleges and universities across the country fall into the “nontraditional student” category. MVCC began inducting members into Spire in 2014. Learn more about Spire.