The breakfast program, which featured a panel on mental health, a student performance,
and scholarship awards, reflected this year’s theme of “Connecting Hearts. Inspiring
Change.” The breakfast also included a certificate of recognition presented by State
Representatives Jeff Leach (District 67), Candy Noble (District 89), Mihaela E. Plesa
(District 70), and Matt Shaheen (District 66) and a proclamation from the city of
Plano delivered by city council members Rick Horne and Anthony Ricciardelli.
Collin College District President Dr. Neil Matkin also noted in his remarks that the college will sign a transfer partnership agreement with Jarvis Christian University in Hawkins, making it the fourth Historically Black College/University with which Collin College has such an agreement. Collin currently has agreements with Texas College, Texas Southern University, and Wiley College.
The event honored the following students and community members:
- Daniel Aghomi of Aubrey received the Dr. Myrtle Hightower scholarship, named for a local leader whose long history in education and community building serves as an example for many.
- Iteoluwakishipop Osinoiki-John of Dallas received the Pearls of Service Scholarship sponsored by the Chi Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA), which was presented by Pearls of Service President Dr. Traci Gardner-Petteway and AKA President Saron R. Brown.
- Kalona Tucker of Denton was awarded a scholarship sponsored by the Plano North Metroplex Chapter of The Links, Inc., and was accompanied onstage by The Links President Michelle Moses-Meeks.
- Stefany Mogas Lopez of Plano was also awarded a scholarship from The Links, underwritten by Michael and Julia Dulan.
- Sofia Hayashi of Allen was awarded the final scholarship from The Links, underwritten by Jerome and Loretta Brister.
- Gelacia Kelly of Plano was awarded the Plano Community Forum Legacy Scholarship and was escorted to the stage by Plano Community Forum President Jeanna Davis.
- Tricia Ekukanju of Plano was honored with a scholarship provided by The Powerful Journey Organization. She was joined on stage by Powerful Journey founder Phyllis Jenkins, who went on to give a message about scholarships and host a panel discussion later in the breakfast program.
The annual celebration is organized by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Power Leadership
Breakfast Committee. Donations for the MLK scholarship fund are accepted throughout
the year through the Collin College Foundation. For more information on making a gift
to this fund, call 972.599.3145. More photos of the breakfast event are available
at https://collincollege.resourcespace.com/?c=6070&k=7a175beeba.
Collin College serves more than 60,000 credit and continuing education students annually and offers more than 200 degrees and certificates, including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), a Bachelor of Applied Technology (BAT) in Cybersecurity, a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Construction Management, and a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Clinical Operations Management. The only public college based in Collin County, Collin College is a partner to business, government, and industry, providing customized training and workforce development. For more information, visit www.collin.edu.
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Photo Credit: Sara Carpenter, Collin College photographer
Image Captions
Lead Image
(From left) Alpha Kappa Alpha Chi Omega Chapter President Saron Brown, Pearls of Service
President Dr. Traci Gardner-Petteway, scholarship winner Iteoluwakishipop Osinoiki-John,
and Dr. Neil Matkin, president of Collin College, pose for a picture during the Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr. Power Leadership Breakfast on Jan. 18. The annual event celebrates
Dr. King’s legacy and has been held in cooperation with Collin College since 1992.
Second Image
Pastor Isiah Moor and Jada Brown discuss mental health along with Kendra Gay (not
pictured) during a panel presentation at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Power Leadership
Breakfast on Jan. 18. The annual event celebrates Dr. King’s legacy and has been
held in cooperation with Collin College since 1992.
Third Image
Dr. Albert Tezeno (center) has a conversation with Texas representatives Matt Shaheen
and Candy Noble at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Power Leadership Breakfast on Jan.
18. Dr. Tezeno is the co-chair of the annual event that celebrates Dr. King’s legacy.
The breakfast has been held in cooperation with Collin College since 1992.