Hudson County Community College Student Receives PTK Walgreens Pharmacy Technician Certification Scholarship
April 3, 2020
April 3, 2020, Jersey City, NJ – Hudson County Community College (HCCC) student Rahma Gado has been awarded the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Walgreens Pharmacy Technician Certification Scholarship. The award will cover the cost of the pharmacy technician certification exam fee.
The new PTK Walgreens Pharmacy Technician Certification Scholarship recognizes PTK members who are enrolled in Allied Health or Pharmacy Technician programs, and intend to take the pharmacy technician certification exam. Ms. Gado is one of just 35 students to receive this award.
“Everyone at Hudson County Community College joins me in congratulating Rahma on this honor, and on all she has achieved,” said HCCC President Dr. Chris Reber. “She exemplifies the challenges, dreams, and determination of so many of our students.”
The 31-year-old Jersey City resident is married, and the mother of three. A Pharmacy Technology major, she will receive her Associate of Applied Science in Health Science degree in May. Ms. Gado plans to continue her education and study Biological and Biomedical Science at Rutgers University-Newark. Her HCCC leadership activities include STEM Club; Chemistry Club; Student Government Association; HCCC Food Pantry; PTK chapter gardening projects at Liberty State Park; and tutoring in Jersey City Head Start.
An Egyptian immigrant and first-generation college student, Ms. Gado aims to fulfill a family dream of becoming a pharmacist. “My mother hopes that I could find a medical solution for the disease my father died from, liver disease. My husband is supportive of me so I can focus on studying. It’s a great challenge to balance family and college. My HCCC chemistry and calculus professors always support me. As a member of PTK, I’ve gained valuable experiences, which enhance me personally and practically and will help me in my career,” Ms. Gado said.
Learning English was her biggest challenge two years ago. She slowly gained confidence and improved her fluency enough to excel in science and math classes and to assist others. “I apply my English in community service while volunteering to help refugee children practice English and do their homework. I teach my three kids English and how to write a good essay, using skills I learned at Hudson County Community College,” Ms. Gado said.
Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievements of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them grow as scholars and leaders. Established in 1918, the Society has more than 3.5 million members, and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 nations, with approximately 240,000 active members in the United States.
Beta Alpha Phi, the HCCC chapter of PTK, has earned the distinction of Five Star Chapter Status, Phi Theta Kappa’s highest level of recognition. The PTK Chapter Plan offers five levels of engagement, with each level consisting of prescribed activities to build a strong, active chapter taking advantage of all PTK has to offer.