PRESQUE ISLE – Northern Maine Community College senior Kristina Kenneson, who will be graduating in May from both the accounting information systems and business administration programs, was named the College’s 2008 Student of the Year during a luncheon ceremony held in Augusta April 23.
She was joined by the Students of the Year from each of the other six community colleges across the state, as well as the college presidents, members of the Maine Community College System board of trustees, and several legislators.
“I came to NMCC after going to a university for a year. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, and I had heard really good things about the College, so I thought I’d give it a try,” said Kenneson. “It has been a perfect fit … the size of the school, the location near my friends and family, and the instructors who have made it easy to learn and easy to get help.”
It has indeed proved to be a good fit for Kenneson, a 2004 graduate of Presque Isle High School. She has excelled at the College, consistently earning a spot on the Dean’s List, as well as having the distinction of being named a President’s Scholar for having achieved a perfect 4.0 semester. She is a member of the College’s chapter of Alpha Beta Gamma, the honor society for business students at two-year colleges.
Kenneson completed her course requirement work for the accounting information systems program last year and has been working this year to complete her business administration requirements. Meanwhile, with her AIS credits completed, she was able to transfer to Husson College and begin work on her bachelor of science degree in accounting. She has been taking classes simultaneously at both institutions, taking advantage of the Presque Isle branch of Husson located on the NMCC campus. Ironically, she will graduate with her bachelor’s degree from Husson May 10, one week earlier from graduating with her dual degrees from NMCC.
“It has really worked well for me,” she said. “Not only did my two years of classes for accounting transfer to Husson, but many of my classes which I am taking for business administration transferred, as well. It really counted for a lot, which is why I was able to complete my four-year degree so quickly. Having Husson classes and their office right here was extremely convenient and really made the difference in enabling me to take classes at both colleges simultaneously.”
In addition to her academic accomplishments, Kenneson has been active on campus. She is a resident assistant this year, living in the residence halls and providing guidance and assistance to her fellow resident students. She has often served as a spokesperson for the College and her peers, being asked to present the student viewpoint during the internal kick-off of the major gifts campaign two years ago, as well as being in both television and radio commercials for the College during the past few years.
“I’ve been given a lot of opportunities to meet other people and to represent the school,” said Kenneson. “It has helped me be more confident in myself and my abilities.”
Independent of being named as the Student of the Year, Kenneson has also been voted by her fellow seniors to speak on their behalf at NMCC’s commencement exercise May 17. The top two students of each of the College’s four academic departments were nominated, with graduating seniors voting on their choice.
Kenneson is pleased by both honors, considering them among the highlights of her college career.
“To be selected as Student of the Year among all of the accomplished and capable students here is incredible, and it means so much to me to be chosen by my fellow students to speak at graduation,” she said. “Although I’m a little nervous, it really means a lot.”
Kenneson plans to stay in the area after graduation and has already begun the job search process.
Photo courtesy of Northern Maine Community College
KRISTINA KENNESON, center, was named Northern Maine Community College Student of the Year during a luncheon in Augusta with members of the Maine Community College System board of trustees. Among those on hand to congratulate her from the College were, from left, Dean of Students William Egeler and President Timothy Crowley.
