College's top scholars studying information technology and marketing
03/08/2011
Edmonds College students Amadou Barrow, 26, of Lynnwood, and Alexei Sterhov, 20,
an international student from The Republic of Moldova, will be recognized for their
scholarship, leadership, and community service at a ceremony noon, Thursday, March
24 at South Puget Sound Community College, Olympia.
Barrow plans to transfer to Central Washington University-Lynnwood, and Alexei Sterhov will study at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Barrow and Sterhov, representing Edmonds CC, are among 63 of the state’s top scholars, who will receive recognition as members of the All-Washington Academic Team. Each two-year college in the state may nominate two students for the honor. In addition, all of the state’s public four-year colleges and universities and most of the state’s independent colleges offer additional scholarships for academic team members who transfer to their schools.
Barrow is working toward his two-year degree in Computer Information Systems, with a current GPA of 3.91. He plans to transfer to Central Washington University for a Bachelor of Applied Science in Information and Administrative Management — IT Specialization. His long-term goal is to work toward a Ph.D. in Management Information Systems and to establish a charitable Information Technology/System Firm in developing countries to assist in combating global information system threats such as identity theft, hackers and social networking problems.
While attending Edmonds College, Barrow works three jobs helping developmentally disabled individuals with the tasks of daily living. Barrow attended high school in Gambia before moving to the United States. Seeking an opportunity to attain higher education, he began classes while his wife was pregnant with their first child. He didn’t want to wait.
“You have to start in order to make your goals. You can’t just sit on the couch. Start, and then make plans,” he said. “I'm the fourth child of a family of 16, and the first person who had the opportunity to complete a high school education. Without higher education, I will not be able to advocate for my siblings to go to school and set a good example for them to follow. In this challenging world, without higher education, I will not be able support myself and family and be my son's role model.”
Sterhov is an international student working on an Associate of Arts degree, with a current GPA of 3.98. He plans to transfer to the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School. His goal is to work in marketing for the fashion and beauty industry. While attending Edmonds College he works as a tutor in the Learning Support Center assisting students with math, economics, and accounting classes.
He is a member of the French and Hip Hop clubs at the college and performs with a professional dance team, Kontagious Performing Company.
“I really enjoy talking and sharing experiences with students of different ages and nationalities. For example, I have a classmate who is 55 from Africa and another classmate who is 16 from France. I think the combination of getting your education at a community college and a university is the best way to get the most out of your school life,” he said.
The top ranked member of the All-Washington Academic Team will be named the state’s New Century Scholar and receive additional honors and scholarships as part of the All-USA Academic Team for Community, Technical and Junior Colleges. Phi Theta Kappa, USA Today, and the American Association of Community Colleges sponsor this annual recognition for top community college scholars.
###The All-Washington Academic Team program recognizes and honors our state's finest higher education students. The students who make up the All-Washington Team reflect the diversity of the state, maintain high standards of excellence, and contribute positively to the community. Their stories are often inspiring, sometimes surprising, and always reflective of the larger story of the state's community and technical college students.